Are the Tories set for Heathrow expansion U-turn?

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Are the Tories set for Heathrow expansion U-turn?

By Stephen Tall | Wed 22nd July 2009 - 2:35 pm

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Here’s what Tory frontbencher Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, shadow minister for trade and devlopment, has to say about the third runway at Heathrow:

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. … So I expect this is an issue that will need to be revisited after the election.”

Local Lib Dem MP for Richmond Susan Kramer – who stepped down from the party’s shadow cabninet to focus her energies on the campaign against Heathrow’s expansion – has been quick to notice the weakening of the Tories’ position:

It would be a disgrace if the Conservatives went back on their pledge to scrap proposals for a third runway at Heathrow. This would be a betrayal of every statement made to residents living under the flight path and those who care about the environment and climate change.

“The Conservatives must make clear that they will not perform a U-turn on their green policies. There needs to be a clear statement with no equivocation that the Tories did not simply shift their green rhetoric to try and win seats in South-West London.

“With Labour also committed to a new runway, the only choice to stop this expansion going ahead is the Liberal Democrats.”

Read more by Stephen Tall or more about geoffrey clifton-brown, heathrow or susan kramer.
This entry was posted in News.

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2 Comments

Mark Wright 22nd Jul '09 - 5:13pm

It was only a matter of time until the Tories caved in to business pressure over the 3rd runway. Did anyone ever really doubt that?
Mark Reckons 22nd Jul '09 - 9:56pm

I didn’t doubt it. I was sure this would eventually happen although it looks like they will only drop hints now and then the policy after the election.

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