Heathrow gets bumpy takeoff
Third runway go-ahead unleashes Tory scrap
HEATHROW airport’s third runway has finally got Government backing after years of dithering.
MPs will get the final say in a crunch vote on the controversial £14billion expansion of Britain’s busiest airport before July 11.
Yesterday’s go-ahead will spark another round of Tory infighting with MPs divided over the issue.
Prime Minister Theresa May said: “As we leave the EU, this new runway will give us the tools to answer that the UK remains one of the best connected and most outwardlooking countries in the world.”
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling told the Commons it was an “historic moment” but admitted it was not unanimously backed.
He said the privatelyfunded venture would bring the UK benefits of up to £74billion. There will be a £2.6billion compensation pot for residents affected by it.
Foreign Secretary and arch-critic Boris Johnson has vowed to lie down in front of bulldozers to stop the expansion and other senior Tories have constituencies under the flight path. Mr Johnson, MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip will be allowed to speak out, but only to his local newspaper after the PM brought in a new rule on ministers breaking ranks. Labour will support expansion if it meets key environmental tests and will generate nationwide growth. Union Unite leader Len McCluskey said it would bring “more skilled, well-paid and sustainable jobs”.
But Stephen Joseph, of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: “MPs may find this will add to the shortage of transport investment in their areas and increase the disparity between the South East and the rest of the country.”
Jenny Bates, of Friends of the Earth, said it would be “bad news for our climate and bring noise, air pollution and misery.”
NOBODY should ever believe anything Boris Johnson says if he dodges Parliament’s vote on the Heathrow Airport third runway he has consistently opposed.
Fixing a convenient trip abroad for the Foreign Secretary would be a giant fib by the Tory MP and former London Mayor, who once vowed to lie in front of the bulldozers.
Sacked twice for telling porkies and selling a £350million deceit to squeak a Brexit win, Mr Johnson’s credibility is shot unless he votes in the Commons to oppose that extra runway.
If he breaks his pledge, the only honourable action is to resign from the Cabinet.