Kurt -- I broadly agree with you except that just because the MP for Tatton floated an idea which won't cost him any money and a bunch of northern cities got their act together for once won't make HS3 happen and no chance in ten years. Look at HS2--- fifteen years for Phase 1 and a further six years for Phase 2. £2bn a year is all we can afford.
What I would say to you is. Suppose history had been different and there was now a two runway international airport at say Rothwell at the M62/M1 junction and a small regional airport at Ringway surrounded by Cheshire NIMBYs. Would you be singing the same tune then? Cut these guys a bit of slack. You are destroying their dreams.