Author Archives: Mike Thornton MP

Mike Thornton MP

Mike Thornton MP writes…Don’t commit to no increase in runways

By Mike Thornton MP | Mon 1st September 2014 - 2:45 pm

The prospect of airport expansion is hugely controversial.  It sparks an inevitable tug-o-war between those who see larger airports as key to economic growth, and those worried about the impact on the environment.

Many people, including in my own party, are rightly concerned about the potential damage increased airport capacity could cause. These feelings can be particularly acute in London, especially around Heathrow, where residents endure noise and dread the prospect of more flights.

Our Liberal Democrat pre-manifesto – set by our party’s working groups and committees – looks set to include a commitment to no net increase in runways across the UK. But I believe Lib Dem’s ambitions for a greener future must also fit with our vision for a stronger economy and a fairer society – and that means looking for opportunities for growth across the whole country. Our concerns about pollution and noise from today’s aeroplanes may be less relevant to the next generation of cleaner and quieter aircraft in twenty, thirty and forty years’ time.

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    A codified constitution could state that powers should be at the lowest possible level or as close to those affected as possible. If that level does not exist p...
  • David Allen
    "Say what we are, LIBERALS, and spell out what that involves: those messages need to resonate throughout the whole country" But they just don't. Shouting th...
  • David Warren
    Historically leaders of our party and its predecessor had a fairly lenghty tenure in the post war period. Clement Davies eleven years, three General Elections, ...
  • Tim Rogers
    Sorry AlexB I disagree. SirEd and/or a senior spokesperson does need to be regularly in front of a camera. There is a battle for attention and a party saying no...
  • Peter Wrigley
    I'm in 100% agreement, Michael. We need the distraction of a leadership contest like a hole in the head. What we do need is a firm and clear declaration tha...