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I'll decide on Heathrow: Hoon rules out Commons vote on runway
Joe Murphy, Political Editor5 Dec 2008
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon today put himself on a collision course with MPs by ruling out a Commons vote on Heathrow's third runway plan.
In an exclusive Evening Standard interview, Hoon said the decision he is due to announce in January will be final - and Parliament will have no chance to veto it.
He dismissed claims that the Government is losing heart for Heathrow expansion, saying he was "going that extra mile for the extra runway".
"Obviously, air quality and noise are key concerns of people who live locally," he said.
"But also in the national interest is the importance of maintaining a hub airport that provides strong competition to Schiphol [Amsterdam's airport] and Charles de Gaulle [Paris] and that can develop the capacity to allow the UK to maintain its competitiveness."
Mr Hoon was speaking on the day he had been expected to announce a go-ahead for the third runway.
But yesterday he threw the expansion plans into confusion by announcing the decision will be delayed until January.
With opponents claiming the Government is losing its nerve, Mr Hoon insisted the only motive for the delay was to give him more time to make the decision.
"I am relatively new in this job and I want to give everyone the confidence that when I review all that evidence, I do so thoroughly and fairly," he said.
"Therefore, I'm just giving myself a little more time to demonstrate that I am going that extra mile for the extra runway."
His explanation is unlikely to satisfy critics such as Friends of the Earth, which claims Labour is waking up to the danger of a fierce political backlash.
In recent weeks a Labour revolt has been threatened if there is a go-ahead. Fifty Labour MPs were among 140 who signed a Commons motion against the scheme, which will see the village of Sipson - with 700 homes - bulldozed. But the minister rejected the rebels' demand for a vote in Parliament.
"The law requires me to weigh the evidence - and me personally," Hoon said. And he dismissed calls backed by some ministers for a go-ahead to be delayed until after the general election.
As a former chief whip, Mr Hoon is aware of worries that Labour will lose seats at the election if he approves the runway. But he declared he would not be influenced by them.
But he was markedly warm towards airport operator BAA's proposal for a go-ahead on condition that an independent pollution watchdog decides how many flights should be run.
"I think it is a useful contribution to the debate and something I will reflect upon," he said. "It's one that shows they think about these issues quite profoundly."
Reader views (45)
Since when has Britain been a Single Party Totalitarian State..?
I'm 100% positive that I have used my democratic power to vote an MP into Parliment...!
- Dave, Lincoln, 16/01/2009 15:42
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Thanks Mr Hoon. Nanny knows best.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 08/12/2008 09:41
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This idiot would not know what was in the interests of the nation if it came up and hit him in the face! The right thing to do? (Tony Bliar's phrase) How does he know what is right or wrong he is so far up his a... he cannot see the light of day, let alone how a 3rd runway would impact on millions of people's lives. Let's get them out and quickly before they ruin it for all of us.
- Vanessa, London, 05/12/2008 17:46
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This is the same Geoff Hoon who as Defence Minister,massaged the truth to take us into the Iraq War.
Unless severe pressure is put on him he will find it easy to grant a new runway without a Parliamentary vote.Have his Labour colleagues got the courage to stand up to him?
- Jon Dee, N Warks UK, 05/12/2008 17:13
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I think the long-suffering British public are rapidly becoming very angry at being steamrollered into submission by bird-brained liars and devious deviants-ie. the NU Lab Government. That Hoon, single-handedly,should decide if this abortion of a runway is built is obscene but to be expected. Although a Europhobe, this is one time I hope that the EU can exert its influence and prevent this Govt. having it's way with the aviation lobby. Interesting that amongst these predominantly anti-runway comments there are several pro-comments which are obviously written by BAA employees now starting to get scared at the level of opposition which will be seen...
- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK, 05/12/2008 16:27
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If Mr Hoon is going that extra mile perhaps he will, unlike his predecessors, include a visit to the Heathrow Villages due to be demolished. I also hope that he is not serious about reflecting on the Indepent Watchdog that BAA are offering as this is a white elephant because if they do get it wrong what is the use you can't rebuild Sipson and if you then limit planes you would have had no need to build it in the first place. Mr Hoon needs only to look at the pollution levels. They are above the EU limit. They are even higher now that T5 is operational. Therefore the answer to Heathrow Expansion is simply NO. Give us the Christmas present we deserve after six years - our lives back.
- Linda Mccutcheon, SIPSON UK, 05/12/2008 16:17
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Hoon means that Brown/Mandy/Campbell will make a decision based on what is the biggest vote winner.
- Roger Slade, Winchester, Hampshire, England, 05/12/2008 16:07
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Its good to see that BAA staff have been busy on this blog like all the others. To those who say near the airport the pollution is airborn - near the airport for Heathrow is London - all of it as NOX is carried on the westerly prevailing winds. The noise is awful, approach paths are not thought about and angled approaches on the horizontal and vertical could be much improved. Wesr london will becom a noise conduit and outside activity would be impossible WHO says its already above health and safety norms- it not just upper class people who live in west london - hounslow etc. Increased morbidity will result from this evil and so will asthma rates in children including my unborn child - the hateful and vindictive tone of some here so lacking in human decency can only come from the tiny proportion of the UK who profit - BA and BAA employees. On every level this stinks and when Hoon says go ahaed I am betting the reaction will be so extreme that LHR will be avoided like the plague - is we can't have honesty and livable environments then lets go to plan B - make LHR unusable until we get this resolved for all our human rights.
- Christian Ball, London, UK, 05/12/2008 15:59
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The hybris is truly staggering.
- Nick, Hong Kong, 05/12/2008 15:51
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The country does NOT need a third runway at Heathrow. Transit passengers, the principal source of increased traffic, benefit only BAA and the retailers in the shopping malls to which the terminals have been converted. Existing capacity could and should be used more rationally by reducing short-haul flights drastically, eg to Paris, Brussels, and mainland domestic destinations, which are better reached by train. Contrary to some views expressed above, people who bought houses under or near the footprint of the proposed third runway in the belief that BAA would keep its promise not to push for a third runway have every every right to complain and to insist that the promise be kept. If a third runway is allowed, does anyone doubt that a sixth terminal will suddenly become 'necessary'?
- Richard, London, London. UK, 05/12/2008 15:27
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Another case of Stalinism rearing its ugly head. What an arrogant stance on Hoon's behalf. The Ministers in this misGovernemnet have completely forgotten who employs them and who will pay their big fat pensions. An issue like this requires a full debate to include all those who will be affected- not some trumped up and manipulated piece of research that will come out in favour of what Hoon wants to do. If a*s* licker Y Cooper says once more on TV interviews that "It is the right thinbg to do" to let Hoon make the decision we will know that it is the opposite!
- Adrian, paris, france, 05/12/2008 15:05
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'Democracy' in action.
The sooner these losers are booted out the better, i think its time we changed the government!
- Jay, London, 05/12/2008 14:48
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Paul Hopkins deceives no one in the know, Hayes is not under any flightpaths and he knows this full well
- Mike, London, 05/12/2008 14:37
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No you will not Hoon. You and your socialist/commie mates will be consigned to history at the next election.
Each and every time Labour has been in power they have destroyed the very fabric and heart of Britain with mass immigration and social engineering. GOOD RIDDANCE FOR EVER.
- Malcom Brown, Newcastle. England, 05/12/2008 14:35
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Have we handed power over to a dictatorship.Wake up Britian
- Dave Smith, Croydon, 05/12/2008 14:16
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Quelle surprise. All this and more from the party that used lies to get us into two unwinnable wars and gave a top government job to an unelected bureaucrat, aka Lord Mandelson.
- Austen, London, 05/12/2008 14:03
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How dare Geoff Hoon completely ignore our democratic processes? Who the hell does this "new in the job" man think he is?
- Liz, London, 05/12/2008 13:50
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The sooner this decision gets quashed the better. The increase in air traffic, leads to worsening air quality, noise pollution and car congestion.
The dreary 'if you dont like it...' lobby obviously don't have children, care about their air quality, noice polution or the environment. They also fail to realise that what is being objected to is the increase and expansion of air traffic. There is enough scope to expand other areas around london without impacting residents. Not all growth is good, at the end of the day we work and 'do stuff' to improve our quality of life. Heathrow does not improve the quality of life for anyone in London.
- John Crook, London, 05/12/2008 13:50
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I am stumpted by the few residents who are fearlful that their village will be built on.
The village is located between the M4, along the busiest part of the motorway, and the A4 dual carriageway, not the Lake District or an area of any outstanding beauty, but the reverse.
If I lived there and was offered money, over and above the value of property, I would instantly grab the money and run, subject to the usual hard bargaining.
- Kevin, London, 05/12/2008 13:40
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To me this is just another example of the ugly arrogance of this McBust government. 'We know best'. Yeah, right. By the way 'Duncan Bailey' the most 'nimby' orientated folk I have ever come accross are the Labour voting Islington class with their weekend retreats in places like Suffolk and elsewhere (even Tuscany). Does stooging for Za-Nu-Labour pay well?
- Mark, Kent, UK, 05/12/2008 12:57
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Bottom line: More flights break the law and make west London a dangerously unhealthy place to live. If the EU don't stop this then Labour will lose most of these west London / Thames Valley seats and the Tories will stop it when they form the next government.
There'll never be a third runway, anyone who thinks this possibly has a chance of seeing the light of day is deluding themselves, so can we all just stop talking about it.
- Rich, London, 05/12/2008 12:49
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Lisa,typical Tory,anti Europe until they want something.I live in Stains,what airport,get the runway built now,to the people living in those villages effected,you will be adequately compensated,just move.
- Tony, Staines, 05/12/2008 12:45
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For goodness sake stop moaning,if you choose to live near a major airport it was your decision,I chose to purchase my home which is close to a very busy Fire Station,I and my family are woken several times a night by fire engines coming and going,did these nimbys not know that airplanes are noisy.Get the runway built NOW.
- Michael And Wendy Thompson, London, 05/12/2008 12:36
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On the one hand we see airlines going bankrupt (Al Italia) or well on the way to being so (Iberia) or desperately looking for partners (BA, Quantas, Ryan Air etc.), and all of them cutting flights and routes - and yet the government are sticking to a projected increase in flight demand made before the credit crunch to justify this runway. The economic situation has changed the game -there is more than a small chance that if they build it it will trun out to be a huge white elephant.
- Roy Grainger, London, 05/12/2008 12:29
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I have lived in west london for 20 years, and was here when BAA promised never to build a 3rd runway. My home and kid's school are under the proposed flight path, and would cause real disturbance and safety risk. The M4 into & out of Londin is gridlocked daily, how will all the new passengers get to the airport. This is all about transit passengers, irrelevant to the UK and only good for BAA profits
- David, London, 05/12/2008 12:25
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Good to see the ethics of Jo Moore are alive and well in the government. Hoon is little more than a lapdog who is at his master's beck and call. More likely that New Labour has decided to postpone what will be an unpopular decision to the day they announce the next General Election. What better time to bury bad news !
- John Bloomfield, Twickenham, 05/12/2008 12:18
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Who the hell does he think he is! Wouldn't surprise me if this government doesn't change the constitution quite soon so the public never get to vote in a general election ever again. Then they will see an uprising like they've never witnessed before. This government and country now stinks, and I'm allowed to say that because I'm English!
- Sue, Orpington, Kent, 05/12/2008 12:16
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The arrogance of this government and of that creature Hoon beggar belief. They are hand in glove with the BAA and the BAA is behaving like Hitler. There's always one more "final territorial" demand from them. Remember the worthless shyster promises when they were allowed to build T5? That's all they wanted. There would never be a demand for a third runway. Honest. You can trust us. Just like there wouldn't be a demand for a fifth terminal after they were allowed to build Terminal 4. And on and on it goes. These money grubbing liars won't be satisfied until they have concreted over everything from Brighton to Stansted.
- Martyn Warwick, London UK, 05/12/2008 12:06
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Fine Jacqueline,but just who do you think should replace them,please do not suggest the Conservatives,we have been told by David Cameron on many occasions,and repeated by him in the house only yesterday that Browns Government are stealing,and adopting all his parties policies.
- Gerald S Sanderson, Twickenham, 05/12/2008 12:01
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Thank god for the European Courts, which will crush Hoon's decision on the basis of human rights -- it will make thousands of homes in west London uninhabitable due to noise and pollution. He has no right to do this, and Europe will have to stand up for us.
- Lisa, London, 05/12/2008 11:42
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The simple fact is this runway needs to be built. I live in Hayes and Heathrow is vital to London and the UK. Plane noise doesn't bother me. If people don't like living in or near London then move. Heathrow was here before you complainers were.
- Paul Hopkins, London, England, 05/12/2008 11:37
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Oh how lovely to see the Tory NIMBY's squeal.
You bought a property near an airport stop squealing about it.
- Duncan Bailey, Kent, 05/12/2008 11:36
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This is the same Hoon who can't see why police busting into Parliament without a warrant is wrong. Now it's ignoring Parliament over an environmental issue affecting millions of Londoners. If he doesn't think Parliament is worth the candle, why is he a member of it?
- Alex, London, 05/12/2008 11:34
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Andy,whats this about our pseudo-communist Government,only yesterday Cameron was saying that Labour were copying Tory policies,which goes to prove that one could not squeeze a cigarette paper between either party,vote Tory and get Labour,vote Labour and get Tory,vote Lib/Dem and get nothing.
- Colin, Bristol, 05/12/2008 11:28
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Isn't democracy wonderful!
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 05/12/2008 11:22
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I live and work in West London.
I find it incredible that local councils, such as Hounslow, Slough and Spelthorne, feel compelled to fight the expansion plans.
They have never obtained a mandate to do so, they have never asked their constituents whether they agree with the stance but merely assume that they have. It always seems to be that the objectors are much more vociferous than their actual numbers would warrant, certinaly locally.
Although I don't, many people in the are have work that is directly or indicectly dependent on the airport and for many the airport provides oppostunities for their children.
I do find that the anti brigade waste considerable time and, invariably, millions of pounds of taxpayers money, on ineffect putting people out of work.
Most people who live under the flight path knew it was there before they chose to live where they do and therefore made a conscious and considered choice. Many don't, in reality, care or would welcome expansion but they seem to be ignored by their own local authorities. That is the reality!
- Steven, London, 05/12/2008 11:10
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Expect more of this control freakery from Zanu Labour. They have simply got away with it because of a very weak Opposition and a even weaker public. I too am to blame, but only once, I will never vote for Labour again and if the Tories do not start to fight for this Country then the rest is up to us. We are being forced in a corner but when this tolerant Country wakes up civil unrest will begin and the blame lies solely in the House of Commons.
- Roger, Surrey., 05/12/2008 11:08
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Perhaps a notice should be placed in the 'Lost & Found' column for the complete loss of democracy.
- Neil Simmonds, London, 05/12/2008 11:07
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That would be enormous. Nu Labor should really go.
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London, 05/12/2008 10:51
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How has it come to pass that one man can decide the outcome of this matter?
- Mike, London, 05/12/2008 10:43
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Air quality and noise are obviously of concern - so are people losing their homes and almost an entire village being wiped off the map.
Hoon should not have sole power over this decision. He says he has delayed to have more thinking time as he is new in the job. He spends his life being new in jobs because he isn't competent to hold any of them down. The Australian phrase "Hooning around" really springs to mind!
- Robin, Brentford, UK, 05/12/2008 10:33
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so much for democracy.
- Paul, London, 05/12/2008 10:10
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Yet another example of the pseudo-communist government we now have in place! Democracy seems as dirty a word to this government as it does the Chinese.
- Andy, London, 05/12/2008 10:03
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That's it Brother Noon who needs this damn democracy getting in the way. Labours mission to destroy democracy in this country is nearly complete anyway.
- Frank, Home Counties, England, 05/12/2008 09:53
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Us plebs can now see what is wrong with Parliament, the Executive treat it with contempt, and therefore us the voter.
So now we know what we require of MP's, regain control, make the executive answerable to the House.
- Dave Morris, Sunderland, 05/12/2008 09:40
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