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.

Continue reading »
Posted in News | 25 Comments
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Steve Trevethan
    Thank you for a bravely honest article! Might the “leadership” which took the L. D party into enforced student debts/loans have been confused about the i...
  • David Le Grice
    Weird that this appears to be the first LDV article about this, and the first time anyone in the parliamentary party has spoken up about it (as far as I'm aware...
  • Jack
    Delighted to see conference overwhelmingly reject the EHRC guidance (they don't deserve three quarters of that name - I accept they are a commission). People ar...
  • Geoff Reid
    Somebody had to say it eventual!y. Thank you Tom for inviting us to be honest on this matter....
  • Hywel
    Important point there Paul. For all the angst about 'lack of cut through' that has pretty much been the case for most of the time the LIb Dems existed except f...