The Times is reporting that David Cameron has piled pressure on Labour by suggesting they would be 'letting down the north and midlands' is they withdraw support for HS2.
In a piece today, the paper says the Prime Minister admitted on Friday that without Labour support in Parliament the scheme would be dead in the water.
Although there will be a backbench rebellion of Conservative MPs on Thursday, it is expected to be relatively small.
However, Nick Hurd, the Ruislip, Pinner and Northwood MP told the Gazette on Monday morning: " I won't be taking part in the vote on Thursday.
"The Bill being debated is necessary for compensation to be paid. It is not the key bill or vote on HS2. That may come next spring if the Labour party decide to support it ".
Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP John Randall has said he will vote in favour on Thursday, because of the compensation guarantees contained in the bill.
Hillingdon Council leader Ray Puddifoot, believes Labour's eventual lack of support might be what sinks the HS2 ship.
"My take is that the Labour Party will support this right through to the first reading of the hybrid bill and support the Government until they have their neck fully stretched out on the block then say: "We cannot support this any longer," he told the Gazette.
Labour has long said it would not support HS2 'at any cost', and there was no blank cheque for the scheme.
Another Government tactic, in a week trumpeted as the 'fight back' after a horrendous summer of bad publicity for the £42bn scheme, is to suggest alternatives such as upgrading existing lines would mean years of transport disruption.
Nick Hurd comes out fighting - see this week's Gazette, out on Wednesday.
