Our place to talk – an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK.

The most-read independent website by and for Lib Dem supporters. Not paid for by trade unions or millionaires.

Advert

Author Archives: 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

Most Read

Op-eds

Choosing a new leader in Wales: why the process matters (Steve Aicheler)
What can the Liberal Democrats learn from New Zealand’s Opportunity Party? (Daniel Duggan)
Is the NHS still safe enough – and if not, what needs to change? (Judy Abel)
Ed Davey quizzed on EU, slavery reparations and Lib Dem relevance (Caron Lindsay)
Scottish Lib Dems defeat SNP on Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill (Caron Lindsay)

Advert

Recent Comments

Mick Taylor
@DavidRaw. To be strictly accurate, the Church in Wales and the Church in Scotland play no state role since they were disestablished by the 1906-14 Liberal Gove...
Jonah Weisz
Hi Paul, I thought you might be interested to know that we have an ME/LC Lib Dems group where we discuss and coordinate our advocacy efforts - just drop me a li...
Judy Abel
@Geoff thank you for your comments. Unfortunately those experiences sound familiar. Because the NHS is free at the point of use we maybe don’t think we can ex...
David Evans
Mick I'm not at all sure that the Lib Dems sold out in 2010 over student fees. The leadership did, and carried on in that vein whenever it deemed it necessary ...
Tristan Ward
@ David Raw "I’m glad to see you say that the opposition to abolishing slavery was bought off" One interpretation is that majority opinion in 19th cen...