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

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/how-did-my-mp-vote-on-heathrow-full-list-for-every-party_uk_5b31c762e4b0b5e692f0cf6e

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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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