A MIXED debate of arguments for and against High Speed Two (HS2) took place in the House of Commons on Thursday afternoon (13).

Firm messages were sent from many MPs, including Hayes and Harlington's John McDonnell, that the line was not wanted. But there were equally as many MPs - the majority from northern constituencies - speaking in favour of the £32bn government proposal.

Prior to the debate, a 200-strong protest had been held in Old Palace Yard opposite the Houses of Parliament, showing that while politicians may be divided on the issue, local residents were united in their opposition.

The Uxbridge Gazette reported live from Westminster throughout the day.

At 10.30am the Stop HS2 protest began and rapidly grew in size as people who had travelled from a range of communities along the proposed route - from Warwickshire to Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and London - arrived.

It lasted four hours and won the support of passing traffic, with drivers willingly honking their horns at the highly visible protest.

Although Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP John Randall sent an apology for not attending because of a newly broken foot, Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner MP Nick Hurd arrived in good spirits and said: "I am impressed with how many people have comeon a working day to the protest.

"It reflects how strong people feel about the issue and it has been good for me to make contact with so many people affected from Ruislip."

However, Mr Hurd was banned from taking part in the HS2 Commons debate because of his government job in the Cabinet Office, as minister for civil society. Instead, it was left to Mr McDonnell to represent Hillingdon, which he duly did.

About an hour-and-a-half into the debate, the local Labour MP stood up and told the House: "I should be one of the most prime advocates of high-speed rail, as I have in my constituency worked to promote rail.

"As part of our argument against the third runway at Heathrow, we even suggested rail as an alternative.

"Every other member has been able to calculate the effect on their constituency of HS2, but I cannot because the government is not consulting on the route to Heathrow, I don't know the route.

"What my constituents do know is that they are suffering blight until this decision is made. They also have relatives in the north of the borough who are losing their homes and facilities like the Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre.

"Two of my colleagues have worked hard to represent constituents but cannot speak today.

"I urge the government to publish the proposals to Heathrow so we can look at the route and also look at how they can mitigate the effects of the line.

"I question that it is the most appropriate route and I am becoming convinced that the economic benefits do not outweigh environmental harm.

"When will the government learn its lesson? You cannot win the argument when a prime part of the route is not published."

There were some strong speeches both for and against HS2, with some unexpected opposition coming from two Labour MPs based in Coventry and Birmingham.

While both the shadow transport minister and the government's own Theresa Villiers spoke at length on why HS2 was essential to ease the capacity problem on the West Coast Main Line, both referenced Mr McDonnell in their speech.

It suggested that there was regret at no Heathrow route yet being published, and perhaps even sympathy for those who might lose their homes.

However, there was no indication at all in the debate that HS2 would not go ahead.

For more quotes and reaction to the day's events, see next week's Uxbridge Gazette.