Heathrow runway after being voted for in Parliament. NEXT STOP: COURT
Campaigners vow to stop plans to expand Heathrow airport once and for all in court, following a parliamentary vote in favour of a 3rd runway. The vote was 415 in favour, 119 against, with a majority of 296. Despite claims that over 75% of MPs support the plans, the actual number was much lower, at 63%, with 3 out of the 4 main political parties adopted a position against expansion. Labour, whilst offering a free vote, adopted a recommendation to vote against expansion, saying the plans failed to meet the party’s 4 tests. The SNP decided to abstain in the vote, stating they were ‘unconvinced’ by the government’s case for Heathrow expansion, whilst the Liberal Democrats remained strongly opposed to the plans. From the Government benches, Greg Hands, Justine Greening and Theresa Villiers voted against their party whip for the first time in 13 years. The No 3rd Runway Coalition believe that large infrastructure projects, which stretch well beyond the lifetime of one parliament, require strong cross-party unity in order to actually be delivered. The runway does not have that, and Heathrow’s shareholders will have noticed. There’s a long way to go before Heathrow can start knocking down villages or putting spades in the ground – the legal challenges can now begin …
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Heathrow runway after being voted for in Parliament. NEXT STOP: COURT
- 3 out of 4 biggest political parties fail to support Heathrow expansion
- Lack of strong, cross-party unity put project further in doubt
Campaigners vow to stop plans to expand Heathrow airport once and for all in court, following a parliamentary vote in favour of Heathrow expansion on Monday evening.
Despite claims that over 75% of MPs support the plans, the actual number was much lower, at 63%, with three out of the four main political parties adopted a position against expansion.
Labour, whilst offering a free vote, adopted a recommendation to vote against expansion, saying the plans failed to meet the party’s four tests. The SNP decided to abstain in the vote, stating they were ‘unconvinced’ by the government’s case for Heathrow expansion, whilst the Liberal Democrats remained strongly opposed to the plans.
From the Government benches, Greg Hands, Justine Greening and Theresa Villiers voted against their party whip for the first time in 13 years.
The No 3rd Runway Coalition believe that given large infrastructure projects, which stretch well beyond the lifetime of one parliament, require strong cross-party unity in order to actually be delivered.
Paul McGuinness, Chair of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, said:
“Heathrow’s shareholders may well have noted the lack of cross-party unity in this vote, and the fact that members of the governing party only supported their third runway under sufferance.
“There’s a long way to go before Heathrow can start knocking down villages or putting spades in the ground.
“And even though one shouldn’t underestimate the political risk that will continue to dog this project, we shall be supporting the legal action of our member councils and City Hall, in which they are utterly confident of victory”.
ENDS.
For more information, including media requests, contact: Rob Barnstone, 07806 947050 or Robert.barnstone@outlook.com
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Here is the list of how each MP voted
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The Conservative MPs who voted AGAINST HEATHROW
Afriyie, Adam
Amess, Sir David
Blackman, Bob
Goldsmith, Zac
Greening, rh Justine
Hands, rh Greg
Offord, Dr Matthew
Villiers, rh Theresa
(Nick Hurd did not vote – not sure where he was ….)
The Labour MPs who voted AGAINST HEATHROW
More Labour MPs (119) vote in favour of a third runway than against (94). A list of 41 Labour MPs wrote to colleagues asking them to vote in favour. Here is the letter and list.
Abbott, rh Ms Diane
Abrahams, Debbie
Allin-Khan, Dr Rosena
Amesbury, Mike
Austin, Ian
Beckett, rh Margaret
Benn, rh Hilary
Blomfield, Paul
Brown, Lyn
Buck, Ms Karen
Burgon, Richard
Butler, Dawn
Byrne, rh Liam
Cadbury, Ruth
Carden, Dan
Clwyd, rh Ann
Cooper, Julie
Corbyn, rh Jeremy
Cruddas, Jon
Cryer, John
Cunningham, Mr Jim
Daby, Janet
Davies, Geraint
De Cordova, Marsha
Debbonaire, Thangam
Dent Coad, Emma
Dodds, Anneliese
Doughty, Stephen
Dowd, Peter
Drew, Dr David
Duffield, Rosie
Efford, Clive
Evans, Chris
Frith, James
Gardiner, Barry
Gill, Preet Kaur
Godsiff, Mr Roger
Goodman, Helen
Greenwood, Lilian
Greenwood, Margaret
Griffith, Nia
Grogan, John
Hamilton, Fabian
Hardy, Emma
Hayes, Helen
Hayman, Sue
Huq, Dr Rupa
Hussain, Imran
Jones, Darren
Jones, Sarah
Keeley, Barbara
Killen, Ged
Laird, Lesley
Lee, Karen
Lewis, Clive
Lloyd, Tony
Marsden, Gordon
Martin, Sandy
Maskell, Rachael
McDonald, Andy
McDonnell, rh John
Mearns, Ian
Miliband, rh Edward
Morgan, Stephen
Morris, Grahame
Nandy, Lisa
Onasanya, Fiona
Osamor, Kate
Pearce, Teresa
Pennycook, Matthew
Pidcock, Laura
Qureshi, Yasmin
Reed, Mr Steve
Reeves, Ellie
Reynolds, Emma
Rimmer, Ms Marie
Rodda, Matt
Rowley, Danielle
Skinner, Mr Dennis
Slaughter, Andy
Sobel, Alex
Starmer, rh Keir
Sweeney, Mr Paul
Thornberry, rh Emily
Turner, Karl
Vaz, Valerie
Walker, Thelma
Watson, Tom
West, Catherine
Western, Matt
Whitehead, Dr Alan
Williamson, Chris
Yasin, Mohammad
Zeichner, Daniel
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All the LibDems voted AGAINST HEATHROW
Brake, rh Tom
Cable, rh Sir Vince
Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair
Davey, rh Sir Edward
Farron, Tim
Hobhouse, Wera
Jardine, Christine
Lamb, rh Norman
Lloyd, Stephen
Moran, Layla
Stone, Jamie
Independent who voted AGAINST HEATHROW
Kelvin Hopkins
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All PLAID CYMRU voted AGAINST HEATHROW
Edwards, Jonathan
Lake, Ben
Saville Roberts, Liz
Williams, Hywel
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