RE: Qualifying Agreement - A1058 Coast Road
They both played 'pretend nice' over this because they know fine well that if Labour win the North East Mayoralty next year (which is highly likely), one of the first things they are likely to explore is full-on franchising which is one of the proposed powers. They need to show willing to cooperate on things like this because it's their only chance (and a slim one at that) at preventing it.