Telegraph speculates on Cabinet reshuffle to move Justine Greening from Transport due to Heathrow
Justine Greening, the Transport Secretary, may be moved to another high profile Cabinet position in a reshuffle as the Prime Minister considers allowing a third runway to be built at Heathrow. Westminster sources said David Cameron is considering moving Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, to the transport department before a major shift in aviation policy – and this may happen in September. Miss Greening, a West London MP, has led the campaign against the expansion of Heathrow and is not likely even to consider allowing a third runway while responsible for the policy. The Lib Dems are also opposed. There has been intense pressure on her, from business, to expand Heathrow. A consultation is expected to be announced in the autumn on Britain’s airport capacity. Airport strategy is one of the Government’s most controversial areas of policy, plagued by Cabinet infighting. Justine’s removal would go down very badly with Heathrow residents.
Cabinet reshuffle is driven by plans for Heathrow expansion
Justine Greening, the Transport Secretary, may be moved to another Cabinet position in a reshuffle as the Prime Minister considers allowing a third runway to be built at Heathrow.
23 Aug 2012 (Telegraph)
Westminster sources said David Cameron was considering moving Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, to the transport department before a major shift in aviation policy.
Miss Greening, a West London MP, has led the campaign against the expansion of Heathrow and is not likely even to consider allowing a third runway while responsible for the policy.
The Conservative manifesto ruled out expanding the airport but it is the main demand of business leaders desperate for the Government to kick-start the economy. A consultation is expected to be announced in the autumn on Britain’s airport capacity.
Mr Cameron’s Cabinet reshuffle – expected early next month – is likely to take account of the key policy.
A move to transport for Mr Hunt, who narrowly escaped having to resign earlier this year over his office’s handling of News Corporation’s bid for BSkyB, will offer him a chance to continue rebuilding his reputation after a successful Olympic Games.
However, airport strategy is one of the Government’s most controversial areas of policy, plagued by Cabinet infighting.
Miss Greening is still thought to be completely opposed to any expansion of Heathrow, as are the Liberal Democrats.
It is thought that the Government may begin planning for a third runway immediately after the next election – therefore avoiding accusations that the Tories have broken a manifesto pledge. Miss Greening, regarded as a rising star in the party, is likely to be moved to another high-profile position. She was promoted to Transport Secretary last year only after her predecessor, Philip Hammond, took over as Defence Secretary after Dr Liam Fox was forced to resign.
In the forthcoming reshuffle, the first undertaken by Mr Cameron since the election, Baroness Warsi, the Conservative chairman, and Kenneth Clarke, the Justice Secretary, are both expected to lose their jobs.
Other Cabinet ministers expected to be moved include Cheryl Gillan, the Welsh Secretary, Sir George Young, the leader of the House, and Patrick McLoughlin, the Chief Whip.
Those tipped for promotion include Maria Miller, a junior work and pensions minister, Chris Grayling, the work minister, Grant Shapps, the housing minister, and Nick Herbert, a justice minister.
Several MPs who were elected in 2005 and served as shadow ministers in opposition are expected to join the Government.
Some of the intake of MPs who entered Parliament in 2010 are also expected to be given ministerial roles.