UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak rallies his Conservatives by saying he’s ready to take tough decisions

By JILL LAWLESS
Associated Press

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has told his Conservative Party he’s not afraid to make tough decisions for long-term change. But reaction to one decision is already causing a storm. Sunak is canceling a big chunk of an ambitious high-speed railway project designed to link London and northern England. He’ announced at a conference in Manchester the High Speed 2 line won’t run to the northern city. Sunak delivered his first — and possibly last — speech as leader to the Conservative Party conference on Wednesday. The party is trailing in opinion polls and an election is due next year.