Tag Archives: pre-manifesto debate

Lord Brian Paddick writes… Is it reasonable to ban runway expansion across the UK?

By Brian Paddick | Sat 4th October 2014 - 1:00 pm

This Conference we will be debating our Pre-Manifesto. Of the huge number of policy proposals there is one likely to incite a great deal of considered debate within the Party – the commitment to no net increase in runways across the UK. The pre-manifesto bans any expansion at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick and it prohibits a new airport in the Thames Estuary. Is this a reasonable position to take?

I am a loyal Liberal Democrat and like most of us, I am conscious of the need to protect our environment. I don’t have a car. My world is my Oyster Card and unless I’m late for a very important date, I take the bus, train or tube everywhere.

Posted in News | Also tagged airports, autumn conference 2014, aviation and environment | 47 Comments

Opinion: You can allow airport expansion and protect the environment

By Christine Jardine MP | Fri 3rd October 2014 - 2:38 pm

Airport expansion equals controversy.

It sparks inevitable tensions between the demand for larger airports to fuel our economic growth, and concerns about the impact on the environment.

For those living closest to our major airports, especially Heathrow, those fears can be particularly acute as they endure current noise levels and view the prospect of increased traffic with dread.

And for Liberal Democrats it can often feel that our drive to create a stronger economy is being placed in direct opposition to our desire to protect our environment for future generations.

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged airports and autumn conference | 10 Comments