All local MPs speak out against Gatwick 2nd runway at packed protest meeting

Five MPs were on the platform, and 3 more sent messages of support, at a mass protest meeting on Saturday 22 November organised by the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign (GACC).  All of the 8 MPs from around Gatwick attended or sent messages. This helps disprove the assumption in some national newspapers that Gatwick would politically be the easiest option for a new runway. The MPs were united in expressing their concern about new flight paths and about the threat of a 2nd runway.  Extracts from their speeches and messages are copied here.  Up to 1,000 people crammed into the meeting in Crawley, and were welcomed by 3 racy air hostesses, and by the Mayor of Crawley, Cllr Brenda Smith who later, speaking as the local councillor, expressed her deep-felt opposition to a new runway. Some 20 national and local environmental groups set up stands around the hall and answered questions from anxious members of the public. Questions from the floor were answered by a panel of experts from a range of organisations.  The participants unanimously held up large cards saying NO when asked if they were in favour of new flight paths, and held up the NO cards again when asked if they were in favour of a 2nd runway.
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NO at 22.11.2014 meeting

 

MPs speak out against second runway

22.11.2014 (GACC – Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign)

Five Members of Parliament were on the platform, and three more sent messages of support, at a mass protest meeting on Saturday 22 November organised by the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign (GACC).   That is all the MPs from around Gatwick, and helps to disprove the assumption in some national newspapers that Gatwick would politically be the easiest option for a new runway.

The MPs were united in expressing their concern about new flight paths and about the threat of a second runway.  Extracts from their speeches and messages are copied below.

Up to 1,000 people crammed into the Apple Tree Centre in Crawley, and were welcomed by three racy air hostesses, and by the Mayor of Crawley, Cllr Brenda Smith who later, speaking as the local councillor, expressed her deep-felt opposition to a new runway.

Some twenty national and local environmental groups set up stands around the hall and answered questions from anxious members of the public.

Questions from the floor were answered by a panel of experts which included Keith Taylor (Member European Parliament), Cait Hewitt (Aviation Environment Federation), Sarah Clayton (AirportWatch), Sally Pavey (CAGNE), Richard Streatfeild (High Weald Parishes Aviation Action Group), and Brendon Sewill (GACC) under the chairmanship of Cllr Helyn Clack (Surrey County Council).

The meeting unanimously held up large cards saying NO when asked if they were in favour of new flight paths, and held up the NO cards again when asked if they were in favour of a second runway.

The afternoon concluded with 1,000 people singing ‘What shall we do with Gatwick Airport’ to the tune of the Drunken Sailor.  (Lyrics copied below).


 

Extracts from MPs’ speeches and messages

Cabinet member Rt Hon Francis Maude (Horsham) was abroad on Government business but sent a message: ‘As you know, I have always opposed a second runway at Gatwick.   We all know that there are big advantages for our area in having a successful airport as a centre for jobs and business, and I support Gatwick’s expansion as a single runway airport. That remains my view.’  

 

Crispin Blunt MP (Reigate) told the meeting why he had organised the Gatwick Co-ordination Group of MPs – because a second runway would be a ‘disaster for surrounding communities and environment.’   Many areas are being ‘appallingly affected by PRNAV’ [the new system of concentrated flight paths].

 

Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex). A second runway would be a disaster for our local environment. … 120,000 extra people – where they are expected to go is beyond me…. The London to Brighton railway line is already at full capacity – impossible to upgrade sufficiently. .. We must oppose this with all the power we have.’

 

Henry Smith (Crawley) noted that ‘public opinion in Crawley is divided. … There would be a significant impact on housing and infrastructure – school places, GP surgery sizes, healthcare – a need for a new hospital. … Gatwick have not made the case for expansion here.’

 

Sam Gyimah (East Surrey) sent a message:  New flight paths have caused misery for my constituents, which is why I have called for Gatwick to abandon its implementation of the PRNAV system. I would like to congratulate GACC for organising this meeting, and your ongoing work to hold Gatwick to account over these changes and the possibility of a second runway, which could cause significant environmental damage and pressure on local infrastructure.

 

SirJohn Stanley (Tonbridge) sent this message:  ‘I am totally opposed to Gatwick’s new flight path proposals which will make the already intolerable noise disturbance still more intolerable.  I am also totally opposed to a second runway at Gatwick.’

 

Charles Hendry (Wealden) commented on ‘the extraordinarily huge meeting here today. … Gatwick has not been straight with us and are not good neighbours.  If they are not good neighbours today, then the possible doubling in size is intolerable.  A second runway does not make economic sense and it does not make environmental sense.’ 

 

Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) told the meeting that a second runway would mean ‘putting a city on Gatwick’….’public transport links are already overburdened’… ‘M25 is a parking lot’………’national businesses are not impressed with Gatwick’s proposal.’

 

Note

A list of the stands is copied below, and also the text of the air hostesses’ announcement. They can also be found on www.gacc.org.uk/latest-news

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See also:

Standing room only at huge Gatwick protest meeting – definite “NO” to new flight paths or 2nd runway

Stewardesses 22.11.2014 The air hostesses & pilot who gave out the safety etc briefings to the massed audience

GACC (Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign) organised a protest meeting on 22nd November in north Crawley. It was standing room only, with a huge gynmasium with space for up to 1,000 packed. People had come from areas near Gatwick, and up to 25 miles away – to express their intense opposition both to the flight path changes that Gatwick has recently inflicted on them, and to plans for a 2nd runway. The atmosphere at the meeting was up-beat, positive, angry and determined that Gatwick will not ruin their areas and their homes, or reduce their quality of life. Five MPs addressed the meeting (Nicholas Soames, Crispin Blunt, Henry Smith, Charles Hendry and Paul Beresford) with message of support read out from Francis Maude and Sir John Stanley, neither of whom could attend. The meeting was chaired by Helyn Clack (Surrey County Council), and addressed by the Mayor of Crawley, Brenda Smith. Asked by GACC whether people backed a new runway, or backed new flight paths, the response was a loud, unanimous “NO”. The meeting ended with cheerful singing of a new song – “What Shall We Do With Gatwick Airport?” (to the tune of the similar “Drunken Sailor.”)

Click here to view full story…Gatwick GACC  NO  22.11.2014

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Stands at Protest Meeting

(in random order)                                                   

GACC

One’s Enough   (Crawley)

AEF     (Aviation policy,  climate change)

Cagne  (Flightpaths South west)

PlaneWrong  (Flightpaths North west)

HWPAAG  (High Weald AONB)

GON   + CAGNE East    (Flightpaths West Kent)

ESSCAN    (Flightpaths East Sussex)

Woodland Trust   (Ancient woodland)

Sussex Wildlife    (Wildlife and landscape)

Greenpeace Redhill  (Aviation manifesto by Greenpeace, WWF, RSPB, FoE)

Ifield Village Association   (Ifield)

Green MEP      (EU politics, and no new runway)

Charlwood Society   (Historic houses to be demolished)

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The Gatwick Song

What shall we do with Gatwick Airport?

to the tune of “What shall we do with the drunken sailor?”

 

Verse 1.

What shall we do with Gatwick Airport?

What shall we do with Gatwick Airport?

What shall we do with Gatwick Airport?

All day, night and morning.

Show ‘em that the runway is a non-starter.

Show ‘em that the runway is a non-starter.

Show ‘em that the runway is a non-starter.

Never going to happen.

(Refrain)

No Way, second runway

No Way, second runway

Never Never Never

Verse 2.

What shall we do with the noisy flight paths?

What shall we do with the noisy flight paths?

What shall we do with the noisy flight paths?

All day, night and morning


Keep on protesting ‘til they stop them.

Keep on protesting ‘til they stop them.

Keep on protesting ‘til they stop them.

All day, night and morning

(Refrain)

No Way, second runway

No Way, second runway

Never Never Never


Verse 3.

What shall we do with Sir Howard Davies?

What shall we do with Sir Howard Davies?

What shall we do with Sir Howard Davies?

All day, night and morning.


Bump him upstairs with a brand new title.

Bump him upstairs with a brand new title.

Bump him upstairs with a brand new title.

If he says ‘No Runway’.

(Refrain)

No Way, second runway

No Way, second runway

Never Never Never


Verse 4.

What shall we do with Stewart Wingate?

What shall we do with Stewart Wingate?

What shall we do with Stewart Wingate?

All day, night and morning.

Put him on a plane with a one-way ticket.

Put him on a plane with a one-way ticket.

Put him on a plane with a one-way ticket.

All the way to China

(Refrain)

No Way, second runway

No Way, second runway

Never Never Never

(Refrain)

No Way, second runway

No Way, second runway

Never Never Never

 

END


Introduction by the pilot and air hostesses

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. 

On behalf of GACC, and the entire crew, welcome aboard.

If we encounter any excitement please fasten your seat belt.

 [Girls to do the standard seat belt actions ….]

 

In case of an emergency, the exits are there, and there, and there.

[Girls point at actual exits in the usual way.]

 

There are no life-jackets under your seats.  If the airport is flooded again this winter, please swim!

[Girls demonstrate breast stroke movements]

 

We will be taking a new flight path today, so if you see people on the ground shaking their fists, please wave! 

[Girls demonstrate waving,  while pretending to peer down out of the window…]

 

If the Gatwick advertisements make you feel ill, please use a sick bag ….  ‘obviously’.

[Girls hold up airline sick bags]

 

We hope you have a pleasant flight and thank you for flying GACC.


 

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