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Tories deny they plan to drop opposition to new Heathrow runway
Nicholas Cecil, Deputy Political Editor22 Jul 2009
The Tories today sought to quash talk that they will abandon their opposition to a third runway at Heathrow.
Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers slapped down a fellow frontbencher who had said the party's policy on airport expansion may have to be “revisited” after the general election.
Shadow overseas aid minister Geoffrey Clifton-Brown stunned Conservative MPs with his comments which threw his party's position on Heathrow into doubt.
Seeking to address the confusion, Ms Villiers said: “Our position is clear and will not change. Under a Conservative government there will be no third runway at Heathrow.”
Shadow London minister Justine Greening added: “The policy is cut and dry. It's not for reopening.” Within hours of the Standard reporting his comments on Heathrow, Mr Clifton-Brown issued a statement seeking to clarify them.
He said: “Under a Conservative government there will be no third runway at Heathrow, and I did not intend to suggest otherwise.”
David Cameron surprised many of his MPs with the decision last year to fight the proposed airport expansion.
Earlier Mr Clifton-Brown said: “This is a very difficult and controversial issue. Although I voted to oppose the third runway, I am fully aware of the potential damage this might do to Britain's international air travel.
“Equally it is pointless Britain cutting down on air travel only to find it goes to other European countries. So I expect this is an issue that will need to be revisited after the election.”
Mr Clifton-Brown's initial views are shared by a number of Mr Cameron's shadow ministers though he was the first to speak out so openly. Labour immediately seized on the comments.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said: “The Tories are keeping their true intentions on Heathrow secret until after the general election. Their transport policy is in disarray.”
In January, the then Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon gave the Government's backing to another runway. But Lord Stern, who compiled a landmark report on global warming for Gordon Brown, criticised the Government's position, warning it undermined confidence in Britain's ability to meet climate change targets.
Many west London residents have fiercely campaigned against a bigger Heathrow.
Reader views (37)
I go along with Boris Johnson who understands Londoners' plight regarding continuous noise from the numerous aircraft that fly over us. I think, and so do most people, agree to the re-siting of an airport to the Thames Estuary. Albeit, Boris did rubber stamp more flights to and from City Airport. The addition of a new runway at Sydney Airport, Australia, will indicate what problems can ensue here. Read it under "aircraft noise' on Internet.
Your readers' comments have cemented my concerns regarding voting for the Conservatives. I will certainly re-consider and vote for a party that has scruples. We are under a power similar to the Third Reich in so much as we have very little say when our opinions conflict with the Powers that be who only consider financial gain and to hell with the misery it causes.
- Sheila Bradford, london, 08/08/2009 09:35
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Cairene - you need to take a look at the government's own research, the Adding Capacity at Heathrow consultation in 2007 (Which you would have filled in if you lived under the flight path), which showed that three quarters of respondents thought that the runway could not be built on pollution or noise grounds and only 11% supported further expansion at Heathrow.
The fact that west London and Berksire politicians from all parties line up to argue against expansion also pours cold water on your claim that "a majority of people close to Heathrow support a 3rd runway". Politicians go where the votes are which is why most of them are against expansion.
I expect a lot of people very close to Heathrow do work there. Unfortuately, noise from the airport affects a very wide area containing many more people who do not get any major benefit from the airport being where it is. These people I suspect, would like to see Boris get his way and a new airport built out east where it will bother less people... me included.
- Rich, London, 26/07/2009 02:55
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Cairene,
The truth is that Heathrow is killing Londoners and endagering the health and safety of millions. Jobs would not be l;ost if a new airport were built which protected people - the jobs would still be needed.
Such rubbish from the BAA PR department is all so sad. Yes BAA pay people to pretend to be citizens who support Heathrow expansion - they were caught e-mailing sites 'posing as citizens'. The truth is again the health implications of Heathrow today are way to much to accomadate let alone an expanded airport. The Location is wrong - face upto it and build a new purpose built facility that improves the passenger experience, boosts the economy- destroys BAA monopoly and allows people to work in aviation if they want to worjk in a 20th centurt industry
- Christian Ball, london, Uk, 23/07/2009 16:40
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I live 15 minutes away from Heathrow and directly under one flightpath (and very close to the other).
I strongly support a 3rd runway as it is the only sensible option to keep Heathrow viable (and the tens of thousands of jobs of the people who work there).
And as someone actually living close to Heathrow, unlike most of the other commentators, I'm speaking factually when I say that the majority of people close to Heathrow support (I say again support) a 3rd runway because they either work there, their job depends on Heathrow's continued success or they moved here after Heathrow grew and knew what they were moving close to.
And please don't start quoting the "surveys" that have shown no such support. Every single one of them was carried out by an organization implacably opposed to the 3rd runway. (Plane Stupid, HACAN, Hounslow Council, etc....) so is it surprising they came out with that result...?
By all means improve rail access, impose strict environmental standards, ec. - no-one could possibly disagree that those are all good things - but these are all as well as, not instead of, a 3rd runway.
- Cairene, Osterley, Middlesex, 23/07/2009 01:51
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The real reason for the proposed Terminal 6 aka Duty Free
Hypermarket or 'Coughing up before taking off' is to extract the maximum of holiday cash from passengers before they even board the aircraft. These are the real profts from an airport.
This is the REAL reason BAA wants a new Terminal 6 -
to be larger than T5 - and to be built on top of Sipson. BAA - allegedly bankrupt - really wants a brand new hypermarket.
Retail "expert" Alison Middleton opined 'Most people are
savvy enough to know they can easily match airport prices by shopping online. What they will not get by doing that is the *brand experience*. If you don't normally shop on Bond Street, you can go to the airport, bowl into the Chanel store and buy something. You get the service and the *branded bag* - that adds a certain *glamour*.'
Oh woopee - a brand experience!!! What cr@p. They can get a branded bag. Oh wow - what glamour!! WHAT UTTER RUBBISH!!
BAA wants to demolish the homes and communities of 35,000
people - the largest enforced relocation of people since the Scottish Highland Clearances - to give passengers a 'brand experience' and a 'glamourous branded bag.' NO WAY, NO CHANCE!!
- C.J.Brady, Harlington, 22/07/2009 23:39
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The scandal of all this is that the Health implications of aircraft flying over London and huge traffic volumes to the west of London (prevailing winds from west blow pollution across the capital) is not reported or investigated. the Triuth is people are actually dieing for Heathrow (premature deaths), people are watching their kids choke for Heathrow (asthma rates in kids skyrocket) people are literally being driven mad for Heathrow, students education is being destroyed for Heathrow and outside activity of any kind is impossible for Heathrow. What a barbaric, wicked industry this is that causes and conceals so much illness. The class action built on the foundation of World Health Organisation research will make BAA and those fly boys sorry - this is our 21st century Tobacco lobby people and they will be beaten. As for Cameron if he does n ot make an unequivicol statement West London and The Thames valley just went yellow.........
- Christian Ball, London, UK, 22/07/2009 23:34
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It's clear to me the third run way will be built.
I live under the flight path and frankly, I'm not that bothered about it.
People further out will benefit as there will be less planes stacking in the sky as they'll be able to get on the ground quicker.
- Prj45, London, 22/07/2009 23:18
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People actually thought the tories were going to put a few hundred thousand votes (many of whom will vote for them regardless) before the needs of big business once in power!? You know, the word 'gullible' doesn't actually appear in the dictionary...
- Carl, London, 22/07/2009 17:49
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Big business wants the third runway.Big business funds the Tory Party.It will happen.End of story.
- Colin, barking essex, 22/07/2009 17:05
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All you doubting Thomases! You may be right, of course, politicians being what they are. But isn't it time the UK had a grand gesture and cancelled Heathrow's third (and eventually Heathrow itself) in favour of the Thames Estuary scheme? Living up t'north it hardly makes a difference to my travel plans but in the scheme of things, such a project would shine a global light on the UK's attitude to air transport - IMHO.
- Michael Watson, Halifax, England., 22/07/2009 17:04
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Rod Epping,may I join you if you visit Australia by train,and Mike Newland,why should the Torys change anything,the present Government have been carrying out Tory Policies for the past 10 years?
- Colin, Bristol, 22/07/2009 17:03
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Everyone who has half a brain cell knows the 3rd runway will get built. So just get used to it.
- Paul Hopkins, London, England, 22/07/2009 16:49
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Everyone will watch to see if they are lying.
We have been treated badly enough in the Heathrow villages and we will fight whatever or who as necessary to protect our lives and homes.
James Payne
President HASRA
Harmondsworth and Sipson residents association
- James Payne . President Hasra, sipson village, 22/07/2009 16:28
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If the Conservatives want to move on from the image that the electorate has of most politicians as being shifty dishonest liars, who, would say anything to get elected, I would strongly suggest that they do not perform a U turn. Having said that, politicians having rode out the expenses scandal think they can do pretty much what they want, and, I suppose, when elected, they can. Which takes us back to a central issue for most people, that being, why bother voting for anyone who we know is almost certain to turn out to be dishonest, and, totally lacking in integrity in the first place?
- Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London., 22/07/2009 15:09
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I voted Tory last time partly because I thought they had better policies and partly because their local MPs made lots of comments against the third runway. If this wobble is confirmed it will have damaged my trust far more than any expense claims.
- Nigel, Fulham, 22/07/2009 15:07
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I PREDICT THE FOLLOWING:
When the Tories come to power, they will drop all opposition to runway 3 and use the excuse of creating jobs (short term) and stimulating the local economy.
THE PROLES ARE NOW WISE TO THE SHENNANIGANS OF WESTMINSTER.
WATCH THIS SPACE
MR PASTRY
- Mr Pastry, london, 22/07/2009 15:04
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Here we go again, Labour and tuition fees. Wake up guys it works like this, lie your ass off in opposition, get into power and reverse everything that would have been too controversial to support in election week.
Big business want runway 3 big business get runway 3. Duh
- Steve, Brentford, 22/07/2009 14:19
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This demonstrates that the people would most certainly get a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty if Dave & Co. were in place. Forget it. Start to accept now that the U.K. will shortly be one of 27 provinces of a bigger country!!
- Phil Jones, London UK, 22/07/2009 13:57
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mark and just who else are they going to vote for the Liberal Democrats?
The next runway is Heathrow the runway after that will be at Gatwick it has all been planned and this is just spin from Cameron as he knew it too.
- Duncan, Kent, 22/07/2009 13:34
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Cameron is like a soft rubber ball. Squeeze and it'll only missshapen. to win the next election the Tories ust ditch the high flyer city type Cameron and instate a down to earth leader. One who is in contact with the world on the people level. One who is assertive and knows what he is talking about and doesn't constantly change his mind (if he has one) like Cameron.
Cameron is proving to be even more inept than that Fool Brown. And he is only leader of a minor opposition.
- A Winsley, London England, 22/07/2009 13:24
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"Now the conservatives have started actually to look at the facts, they are realising that they have got it wrong"...so why wait in anticipation that it 'may be "revisited" after the general election'? If they are clear about the fact the runway is needed, say so now so people know what the party they are voting for stands for.
- Prototypical Englishman, Wormwood Scrubs, 22/07/2009 13:17
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Best vote for someone else. The only party I can think of who are unlikely to "revisit" the policy post-election are the Greens.
- Matt, London, 22/07/2009 13:09
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The Tories are keeping their true intentions on Heathrow secret....No they are politicians and therfore just lying to you.
- Edouard, Toulouse, France, 22/07/2009 13:09
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Things happen so fast in our internet age: politicians break their promises even before they're elected! I suppose it saves time.
BA is staying in business by stealing from its pension fund; Ryanair is slashing flights from Stansted; nobody wants to buy Gatwick; Warren Buffett has caught a massive cold with his private jet business. Mergers and bankruptcies of airlines are taking place all over the world. Fuel costs, environmental and quarantine considerations, plus ever-improved remote communication, are all acting against a return of aviation to its previous, unsustainable level. This is obviously the time for the state to direct an expansion in supply for an industry the consumer is walking away from.
- Mdj E10, london uk, 22/07/2009 13:05
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Well if they want to lose 2 million votes from the people who live around Heathrow and it's flightpaths then go head Mr.Cameron! The decision to extend Heathrow has come to stand for everything that's wrong with this government, not an inheritance the Tories would want is it?
- Mark, London, 22/07/2009 12:54
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Has anyone investigated the technical feasibility of this matter in terms of air traffic control?
Politicians and financiers can look at Amsterdam and say it has five runways. Indeed it has. But they are all on the same airfield supervised by a finely-tuned and long-established air traffic system, which even allows two aircraft to take-off in the same direction at the same time. London, with three other busy airports serving the capital on its doorstep, is another matter.
The National Air Traffic Services and Eurocontrol, looking at this issue from ground, lower, middle and upper airspace, might have something to say themselves!
- Peter Seekings-Foster, Mildenhall, Suffolk., 22/07/2009 12:52
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Want to vote against the third runway? Lib Dem or Green or, if you're lucky enough to have a genuine left-wing Labour MP like John McDonnell, vote for them.
Who says this is a u-turn? Grassroots Tories generally support expanding air travel and motoring and oppose investment in sustainable public transport, so this is reversion to type. Not believing a word Cameron says is, I find, a good way to avoid disappointment.
Also goes to show how utterly irrelevant Boris Johnson is, doesn't it?
- Tom, London, UK, 22/07/2009 12:40
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Build it build it build it!!!
- Alan, London, 22/07/2009 12:10
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The new airport away from the London city centre is still the best. Nu Labor got it wrong that they just give BAA a free expansion without them investing anything in the Heathrow waste. BAA needs throwing out not extra free profits on the back of the suffering traveller and taxpayer!!
- Georgie, Islington, London, 22/07/2009 11:10
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Clifton-Brown, Who’s he? I thought David Cameron was the only person in the Tory party...He seems to be the only one that speaks about everything.
Those that wish for a Tory leadership should worry about who will take the roles in the cabinet and why we don’t hear anything from them.
“he is the first to speak out so openly”…at last! Hopefully many more Tories will find a voice!
- Jade, London, england, 22/07/2009 11:02
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The other interpretation is that the current policy position of opposing the 3rd runway was adopted for populist reasons and without thinking the issue through. Now the conservatives have started actually to look at the facts, they are realising that they have got it wrong. A politician who can admit they got it wrong and change their position? Something to be welcomed not attacked, in my book.
- Robert, Wokingham, UK, 22/07/2009 11:00
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Cameron needs to stand up now and say there will be no u-turn on this, that they oppose the 3rd runway and they will not change their view after the election.
Otherwise they will lose a lot of trust.
- Stephen, London, 22/07/2009 10:58
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Yet another example of the apparent Tory tactic of making out they will change things, winning the favourable publicity, and then back tracking.
When are the Tories going to commit themselves to doing anything at all and then sticking to it?
The creeping impression is being given that they actually intend to change nothing. That is far more corrosive to their standing and the credibility of the political system than if they refrained from saying anything specific in the first place.
No wonder people fear another Blair.
- Mike Newland, London, England, 22/07/2009 10:40
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What a surprise. As I have said on this site a few times, when the Tories are honest and have strength behind their own convictions I may vote for them. Until I know what they are planning, stick by their promises, and intend improving our lives, they can sling their hooks. Even before they are possibly elected, they are changing their minds.
I am against another runway at Heathrow, and in favour of more or improved railways. I will vote for a party that promises, doesn't lie, and delivers. (Possibly I wont be voting!)
- Rod, Epping, UK, 22/07/2009 10:36
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I said four years ago this deal was done and dusted,there will be a third runway whatever.But,the goverment will tell us all is well and good for the enviroment as tax will increase on flights.
- Dave, london, 22/07/2009 10:30
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David Cameron os not the decisive leader the country needs. He is forever changing his mind about everything
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 22/07/2009 10:19
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'may be "revisited" after the general election'...is that quite ethical?
- Prototypical Englishman, Wormwood Scrubs, 22/07/2009 10:17
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