SIR Keir Starmer – Labour’s candidate in Holborn and St Pancras at Thursday’s general election – has repeated his opposition to HS2 rail project, but declined the opportunity to guarantee that he will vote against the scheme as an MP in the House of Commons.

He was challenged to clarify where he stands on the controversial project during hustings at St Luke’s Church in Kentish Town on Sunday evening with a question that pressed him for a yes-no answer on whether he would vote against High Speed 2.

The project to link Euston with Birmingham and then cities in the north will lead to years of demolition and disruption in Camden. It is supported nationally by Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, but opposed by the Greens and UKIP.

In Camden’s other constituency, Hampstead and Kilburn, Labour candidate Tulip Siddiq has promised to break the party whip and vote against HS2, insisting that she has already warned leader Ed Miliband about her intentions.

Mr Starmer, who is looking to fill the vacancy left by retiring Labour MP Frank Dobson, a critic and opponent of HS2, said: “I have consistently indicated that I am against HS2 because the case for HS2 is not made out and, in any event, a 21st century high speed railway should not be brought into a densely populated part of North London causing great destruction and pollution.”

He added: "I intend to fight tirelessly for local residents and traders on this issue and have already made it a top priority and started work with a number of the groups in Holborn and St Pancras opposed to HS2.The question is how I can be most effective. I firmly believe that the best chance of protecting residents and traders in Holborn and St Pancras from the destruction of HS2 is if I can persuade the incoming Government, particularly if it is Labour led, either that HS2 should not proceed at all or that Old Oak Common should be the London terminus. I intend to fight that fight as hard as I can. If, as I hope, that results in a changed position, perhaps in relation to Old Oak Common, I will consider whatever proposal is then on the table.”

Green Party leader Natalie Bennett, who is standing against Mr Starmer, said: "A good constituency MP needs to be clear where she or he stands on issues that affect their local area. They should be specific about how they would vote on these. Because it will be so damaging to areas in and around Regents Park, Somers Town and Camden Town, HS2 is one of those issues for candidates standing in Holborn and St Pancras. The Labour Party supports HS2 nationally and, as this latest statement reveals, Sir Keir has always been ambiguous about whether he would do the right thing for his constituents and go against his party to vote it down in parliament."

She added: "I don't agree with Sir Keir that voting against HS2 is just a gesture. If parliament rejects the bills proposing HS2, then HS2 won't be built. It is as simple as that. Some Tory MPs oppose HS2, some Labour MPs oppose HS2, some Lib Dem MPs oppose HS2. Sir Keir has the choice of joining them. The Green Party is in complete opposition to HS2 both locally and nationally. We believe spending on rail infrastructure should be spread more widely to benefit more people, including those using London's overstretched local services. As Holborn & St Pancras MP, I would put my constituents' interests at heart, voting against HS2 at every opportunity."