How Tory opposition in the 1990s delayed London's Elizabeth Line for decades

Two senior Conservatives called it a folie de grandeur—and their fight against the project cost Londoners years of delays. The line's turbulent history reveals political battles behind its £18.8bn price tag.

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2026 May 5 . 12:02 AM

1 min read

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How Tory opposition in the 1990s delayed London's Elizabeth Line for decades

The Elizabeth Line, now a key transport link in London, faced fierce opposition from senior Conservatives in the 1990s. Kenneth Clarke and Michael Portillo both argued against the project, calling it unrealistic and too costly. Their efforts helped delay the line for decades, though it eventually opened in 2022—four years behind schedule.

In the early 1990s, Kenneth Clarke, then a senior minister, pushed to shelve the Elizabeth Line. He wrote to transport secretary John MacGregor, labelling the project a folie de grandeur that taxpayers would refuse to fund. Clarke suggested cheaper alternatives could deliver similar economic benefits.

Michael Portillo, another prominent Conservative, also opposed the scheme. In a letter to the Prime Minister, he claimed the line would never be built due to funding struggles. Portillo predicted construction wouldn’t start until 2006, with a possible opening in 2011—far later than initial plans. The Treasury’s resistance succeeded, and the Conservatives abandoned the project in the 1990s. When the line finally gained approval years later, its budget ballooned from £14.8bn to £18.8bn. Delays pushed its launch from 2018 to 2022.

The Elizabeth Line now operates as a major transport route, but its journey to completion was long and contentious. Early opposition from Clarke and Portillo stalled progress for years, while rising costs and delays reshaped the project. The final price tag and timeline far exceeded the original estimates.