Labour braced for Cabinet split over plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport – as Chancellor is set to back expansion as part of a bid to combat flatlining growth_Nhy
Labour is braced for Cabinet splits over plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport as the Chancellor ducked questions about the expansion yesterday.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan are likely to become the most prominent critics of the scheme.
While Rachel Reeves is yet to confirm that permission for the runway will be granted, she is expected to do so in a speech later this month.
But she will face opposition from many of her Labour colleagues, including members of the Cabinet, if she approves the project.
Eight of those who attend Cabinet – including the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Environment Secretary Steve Reed and Mr Miliband – have previously opposed Heathrow’s expansion.
Asked yesterday whether she would support it, she refused to answer the question but said she was committed to ‘growing the economy’.
Sarah Olney, the Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond – which is in the Heathrow flight path – asked her: ‘Residents in my constituency of Richmond Park will have been extremely concerned to read the news this morning that the Chancellor plans to announce next week the expansion of Heathrow.
‘I’d like to invite her to tell us, yes or no, on the floor of the House, whether or not the Government backs expansion at Heathrow.’
Rachel Reeves (pictured) is yet to confirm that permission for the runway will be granted, she is expected to do so in a speech later this month
A plane landing at Heathrow Airport near the village of Longford. Any expansion of Heathrow – as well as Gatwick and Luton which are also mooted – will anger the green lobby and jeopardise the Government’s plans to get to net zero
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is likely to become one of the most prominent critics of the scheme. In 2009, Mr Miliband threatened to resign from Gordon Brown’s then government over plans for a new runway at Heathrow
Ms Reeves replied: ‘I’m not going to comment on leaks. What I would say is this Government is absolutely committed to growing our economy and making this a great place for businesses to invest and trade in.’
Her remarks have fuelled speculation that the long-delayed project will receive approval from a government desperate to improve growth figures.
Any expansion of Heathrow – as well as Gatwick and Luton which are also mooted – will anger the green lobby and jeopardise the Government’s plans to get to net zero.
A spokesman for Sir Sadiq said: ‘The Mayor has a long-standing opposition to airport expansion around London – linked to the negative impact on air quality, noise and London’s ability to reach net-zero by 2030.’
Mr Miliband and other Cabinet ministers are yet to comment on the proposals but are likely to be divided on the plans.
Other ministers who attend Cabinet and voted against expansion include Hilary Benn, Anneliese Dodds, Darren Jones, Lisa Nandy and Ellie Reeves.
It comes after reports that Labour is preparing to signal support for a third runway at Heathrow, to bring the second strip at Gatwick into full-time use, and allow an increase in the capacity at Luton Airport, according to Bloomberg.
There are likely to be major splits over concerns about air and noise pollution and the UK’s ability to meet climate commitments, as well as serious doubts that airport expansion will generate significant economic growth.
Sarah Olney (pictured), the Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond – which is in the Heathrow flight path – asked her: ‘Residents in my constituency of Richmond Park will have been extremely concerned to read this news’
Sir Sadiq Khan (pictured) – who fought legal battles against the expansion in the past – remains opposed and has said he will launch a fresh challenge if Sir Keir signs it off
A passenger jet flies over houses as it prepares to land at Heathrow Airport. There are likely to be major splits over concerns about air and noise pollution and the UK’s ability to meet climate commitments
Ms Reeves is likely to signal support in a speech on growth that is due to take place before the end of the month.
She is under pressure to make new announcements due to concerns about her competence and the ongoing implications of increasing taxes on business at the Budget.
In 2009, Mr Miliband threatened to resign from Gordon Brown’s then government over plans for a new runway at Heathrow.
Ahead of the vote in 2018, he issued a statement on social media saying the proposal was ‘very likely’ to make air pollution worse and the then Tory government had made ‘no serious attempt to square its climate change commitments with its support for the third runway at Heathrow.’
Sir Sadiq- who fought legal battles against the expansion in the past – remains opposed and has said he will launch a fresh challenge if Sir Keir signs it off.
Labour’s mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, told Bloomberg: ‘I understand the need to move forward with growth projects but it can’t be at the expense of the North of England. That is not in my view the balanced growth that we need.’
However, Labour MP Chris Curtis, chair of the Labour Growth Group, supported the plans, telling the BBC his party is ‘determined to do everything that we can’ to fix the economy ‘and in my view, that does include building a third runway at Heathrow.’
