Heathrow plans would be scrapped under a Tory government (From Hillingdon Times)

Heathrow plans would be scrapped under a Tory government

12:03pm Wednesday 12th November 2008

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The Tory party vowed to scrap all plans to further expand Heathrow Airport last night.

During a Commons debate, not only was it said that a third runway would be rejected, but also to keep the current runway alternation, if they got power at the next election.

The debate over expansion at the airport was called by Geoff Hoon, the secretary of state for transport, after it was claimed he came under pressure from his own backbenchers, of which 50 have signed an Early Day Motion opposing the expansion.

Labour MP John McDonnell, who represents Hayes and Harlington has always been against the plans.

He and the two Tory MPs in Hillingdon, John Randall and Nick Hurd, have all been fighting to stop expansion for the sake of their constituencies.

Mr McDonnell, said: “What the debate proved absolutely consistently is that there is no majority in Parliament for a third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow Airport.

“The whole purpose of the debate was to call on the government to rethink again.

“But if the government did go ahead, I would forced a vote in Parliament.”

He added: “We now have support across every political party. There is no prospect of a third runway and we have just got to keep fighting.”

Speaking about the campaigners which gathered outside the Houses of Parliament last night, Mr McDonnell said: “It is having an affect. Every time there is a debate there is a demonstration.

“We have packed out public meetings, we have protests all the time and it is turning the tide with this decision. It is working.”

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