Forum Topic

Third Heathrow runway

Over the years there has been much trenchant opposition to the third runway, a typical example being this from a London MP, addressing the people responsible for Heathrow:"There is no version of an expanded Heathrow which is compatible with climate targets.There is no version of an expanded Heathrow that does not reduce the quality of the lives of 650,000 people in my constituency and beyond, who live under the flight path.And there is no version of an expanded Heathrow that does not make the air our children breathe even more polluted.I implore you, put the quality of life and the planet first, and the profits of your shareholders second.”That was Fleur Anderson in 2023, but since Reeves' announcement the other day: silence. Which is she more concerned about, her job or her principles?

Richard Carter ● 99d19 Comments

It was a simple enough question and yet laughably you still try to muddle through. Pathetic.

Michael Brigo ● 96d

Perhaps it should be put more bluntly:    Sh!t budgets cost lives, jobs & living standards - be it Osborne or Reeves.Heathrow expansion is a result of a sh!t budget.Instead of hands up we got it wrong they talked the economy down for six months.We are now in deep doo doo! Having upset the US, Europe & China. Not to mention a lot of smaller countries.Heathrow expansion is just the first of many stupid ideas to get us out of the doo doo whilst pretending it's really just the latest face mask!

Ed Robinson ● 96d

"Yet again avoid answering the question."Will Heathrow expansion help chemtrails??"It was Tory party policy for long enough - are you saying that WBC was lying then as well?"Sorry not too familiar with Tory policy. I think the last Conservative government ruled it out.I could be wrong but I believe that Labour (new Labour/Starmers Labour) whatever you want to call it is far more centralised that the Conservatives sub MP levels.Boris got rid of MP's that showed opposition - did they do the same to councillors??I think a Conservative supporter may be best to comment.The Liberals just make it up as they go along so local policy in one area may be the inverse in another etc.Labour be it local or regional are hand picked by Labour HQ according to reports since Starmer took over.Were the Stasi real or just a conspiracy theory?

Ed Robinson ● 96d

Yet again avoid answering the question. This is why there's no point engaging with you.You can't help but veer off topic to suit your own agenda, perhaps its the chemtrails affecting your reasoning?

Michael Brigo ● 97d

Local & regional government are exactly in good financial shape to pick a fight even if their heart was in it.Apart from resigning from the party on mass, hollow words is all they got.Does the Mayor really believe in the ‘climate emergency’ being driven around in a polluting 4x4 and promoting air travel?"Mayor visits New York to promote London as leading destination for business, tourism and sport"https://www.london.gov.uk/%20Mayor%20visits%20New%20York%20to%20promote%20London%20as%20leading%20destination%20for%20business%2C%20tourism%20and%20sporthttps://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/sadiq-khan-rachel-reeves-london-heathrow-gatwick-b1206622.html

Ed Robinson ● 97d

Hello Ed,I think the Labour government are now clutching at straws.I wholeheartedly hope that WBC's words are not empty ones or soundbites.And the true meaning of wrong and right should be brought back!

Ivonne Holliday ● 97d

I'm saying Heathrow expansion is now Labour Party Policy.Labour MP's, local councillors and regional officials are members of the Labour party and it's now their party's policy.Some may make some noise and opposed it with some hollow words but it is deeds that matter!

Ed Robinson ● 97d

It was Tory party policy for long enough - are you saying that WBC was lying then as well?

Michael Brigo ● 98d

Good morning Ed,It may be recent announcement by Labour. One would have hoped that common sense would prevail and certainly not something all would follow it like sheep.WBC has always been against the third runway at Heathrow.  Why the Labour announcement now is mind boggling though I suppose desperate measures at desperate times.  A truly ridiculous idea if only because it confirms that many think London is the UK.  What is more, many believe that Heathrow is the only London airport.Let us not forget that Heathrow made a very recent request to the Labour government for the expansion...

Ivonne Holliday ● 98d

"What's your reasoning for thinking that WBC would be pro a third runway?"It's Labour Party Policy.

Ed Robinson ● 98d

The answer to your (rhetorical) question, Richard, is that her job matters more to Fleur Anderson than her principles. But I don'think she is any worse than other Labour MPs. The problem is that Labour is committed to growth. Unfortunately this aim runs counter to environmental protection which it also pretends to support. The result is Labour MPs engage in sanctimonious denunciation of projects like Heathrow expansion when in opposition but hyocritically defend them when in government, usually justifying their volte'face with some reference to the 'black hole' left by the Tories.

Steven Rose ● 98d

What's your reasoning for thinking that WBC would be pro a third runway?

Michael Brigo ● 98d

"Yes, Ed.."I was making a lightly different point Richard.WBC which is Labour run has announced it is against the runway.However Putney Labour Party which is a subset of the party that supports the councillors and our MP, has made no such announcement.So is WBC announcement genuine?Probably not would be my assessment given the silent within the local party!

Ed Robinson ● 98d

'An additional 260,000 aircraft movements at Heathrow will blight many more lives and for far longer. And for what?'The ability of UK business and social travellers to fly abroad to trade or for leisure ?The ability of foreign business travellers or tourists to fly here to trade or for leisure and to add to the UK economy that caters for them ?More job opportunities for UK workers living in the vicinity of the airport ?It's all a trade off really and ones view is probably conditioned by which category of person described above you see yourself in.But of course it is a bit of a pain if you fall into none of them nor benefit in anyway from what they do !

John Hawkes ● 98d

The report cited by Rachel Reeves to justify Heathrow expansion was commissioned by...... Heathrow airport!https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/01/reevess-heathrow-third-runway-report-was-commissioned-by-london-airport?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Michael Brigo ● 98d

Yes, Ed, that was what I was drawing on in the original post (I  forgot to add the link).

Richard Carter ● 98d

This is the only mention I could find on Putney Labour Party X26 May 2023"MPs warn against Heathrow Airport expansion: ‘Put the planet first’Putney MP Fleur Anderson said an expanded Heathrow would mean unacceptable levels of noise and air pollution for her constituents beneath airport’s flight path"https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/mp-fleur-anderson-heathrow-expansion-third-runway-parliament-b1084069.html

Ed Robinson ● 98d

Absolutely. I remember taking a class at Morley College, must have been before Covid, and somehow Heathrow came up in the conversation. Can't think why, as it was a music class; perhaps it was when May used her 3 line whip to get it passed.  One woman who lived in South East London and belonged to one of the anti Heathrow groups (not HACAN) said, quite crossly, that we in South West London got all the attention, but aircraft noise blighted large areas (much?) of London.  An additional 260,000 aircraft movements at Heathrow will blight many more lives and for far longer. And for what?

Elizabeth Balsom ● 98d

Well said Richard.  This proposal at Heathrow makes no sense for London never mind Fleur Anderson’s constituents.

Robert Wheeler ● 99d