Tories deny they plan to drop opposition to new Heathrow runway

22.7.2009   (Evening Standard)

by Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent

The Tories today sought to quash talk that they will abandon their opposition
to a third runway at Heathrow.

Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers slapped down a fellow frontbencher who had said the party’s policy on airport
expansion may have to be “revisited” after the general election.

Shadow overseas aid minister Geoffrey Clifton-Brown stunned Conservative MPs
with his comments which threw his party’s position on Heathrow into doubt.

Seeking to address the confusion, Ms Villiers said: “Our position is clear and
will not change. Under a Conservative government there will be no third runway
at Heathrow.”

Shadow London minister Justine Greening added: “The policy is cut and dry. It’s not for reopening.” Within hours of
the Standard reporting his comments on Heathrow, Mr Clifton-Brown issued a statement
seeking to clarify them.

 

He said: “Under a Conservative government there will be no third runway at Heathrow,
and I did not intend to suggest otherwise.”

David Cameron surprised many of his MPs with the decision last year to fight the proposed
airport expansion.

Earlier Mr Clifton-Brown said:   “This is a very difficult and controversial issue.
Although I voted to oppose the third runway, I am fully aware of the potential
damage this might do to Britain’s international air travel.

“Equally it is pointless Britain cutting down on air travel only to find it goes
to other European countries. So I expect this is an issue that will need to be
revisited after the election.”

Mr Clifton-Brown’s initial views are shared by a number of Mr Cameron’s shadow
ministers though he was the first to speak out so openly. Labour immediately seized
on the comments.

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said: “The Tories are keeping their true intentions
on Heathrow secret until after the general election. Their transport policy is
in disarray.”

In January, the then Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon gave the Government’s backing to another runway. But Lord Stern, who compiled
a landmark report on global warming for Gordon Brown, criticised the Government’s position, warning it undermined confidence in Britain’s
ability to meet climate change targets.

Many west London residents have fiercely campaigned against a bigger Heathrow.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23722689-details/Tories+deny+they+plan+to+drop+opposition+to+new+Heathrow+runway/article.do

 

see previous article  earlier in the day:

Tories hint at U-turn over third runway for Heathrow

Date Added: 22nd July 2009

David Cameron’s policy on Heathrow expansion was thrown into doubt after a Tory
frontbencher, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, suggested a U-turn may be done on opposing
a 3rd runway. Clifton-Brown has publicly raised the prospect that this stance,
which helped Mr Cameron burnish his green credentials, may be “revisited” after
the general election, expected in May next year. These comments will alarm many
west London residents. (Standard)   Click here to view full story…


 

Tories deny Heathrow 3rd runway U turn

23.7.2009   (Telegraph)

The Conservatives have been forced to deny a change of policy after a front-bencher
hinted that the party might drop its opposition to a third runway at Heathrow.

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the shadow international development minister, was revealed
to have told a constituent that he expected the issue to be “revisited” after
the election.

In a letter to the voter in his Cotswolds constituency, he added that he was
“fully aware of the potential damage this [the decision not to build the runway]
might do to Britain’s international air travel.”

Within hours of the remarks being made public, Mr Clifton-Brown was forced to
clarify his comments.   But he appeared to hint that his opposition to the policy
continued, saying: “The party line is that there will be no third runway at Heathrow.
What I believe is irrelevant.  I am a member of David Cameron’s front bench and
that is his policy.”

In a statement issued in his name by the party, Mr Clifton-Brown appeared more
contrite, saying: “Under a Conservative Government there will be no third runway
at Heathrow, and I did not intend to suggest otherwise.”

Theresa Villiers, the shadow transport secretary, said: “Our position is clear
and will not change. Under a Conservative government there will be no third runway
at Heathrow.”

The Opposition were quick to exploit the apparent division in Mr Cameron’s top
team.

Lord Adonis, the Transport Secretary, said: “The Tories are keeping their true
intentions on Heathrow secret until after the general election. Their transport
policy is in disarray.”

Susan Kramer, the MP leading the Liberal Democrat campaign against Heathrow expansion,
added: “It would be a disgrace if the Conservatives went back on their pledge
to scrap proposals for a third runway at Heathrow.

“This would be a betrayal of every statement made to residents living under the
flight path and those who care about the environment and climate change.”

Mr Clifton-Brown attracted the irritation of the party leadership earlier in
the year when The Daily Telegraph disclosed that he had “flipped” his second home
designation from London to his Gloucestershire home, before buying a £2,750,000
house. (see link below)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/5887751/Tories-deny-Heathrow-third-runway-U-turn.html

 

see also

 

Tories deny they plan to drop opposition to new Heathrow runway

 

Date Added: 22nd July 2009

 

The Tories today sought to quash talk that they will abandon their opposition
to a 3rd runway at Heathrow. Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers slapped
down a fellow frontbencher, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who had said the party’s policy
on airport expansion may have to be “revisited” after the general election. Ms
Villiers said: “Our position is clear and will not change. Under a Conservative
government there will be no 3rd runway”. (Standard)   Click here to view full story…

Tories hint at U-turn over third runway for Heathrow

 

Date Added: 22nd July 2009

 

David Cameron’s policy on Heathrow expansion was thrown into doubt after a Tory
frontbencher, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, suggested a U-turn may be done on opposing
a 3rd runway. Clifton-Brown has publicly raised the prospect that this stance,
which helped Mr Cameron burnish his green credentials, may be “revisited” after
the general election, expected in May next year. These comments will alarm many
west London residents. (Standard)   Click here to view full story…