Keir Starmer refuses to say if he backs third Heathrow runway amid Labour split
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The Prime Minister has dodged questions about his stance on a third runway at Heathrow when quizzed by the Green Party. In the House of Commons today Adrian Ramsay, co-leader of the party and MP for Waveney Valley, challenged Sir Keir Starmer on whether he backed the UK's largest airport getting even bigger.
"Expanding London's airports and building a third runway at Heathrow would be incredibly irresponsible in the midst of a climate emergency, flying in the face of the Climate Change Committee's advice. The Prime Minister knows this because he and seven cabinet colleagues voted against the third runway at Heathrow in 2018. So, can the Prime Minister confirm what is his position now?".
The PM declined to comment on his stance on a project that has attracted ferocious criticism from environmental campaigners, responding: "I'm not going to comment on speculation. He knows that we are, as a Government, we are committed to growth, we are committed to the aviation sector, and to our climate obligations. But I'm not going to take lectures from those who talk about climate change but oppose vital renewable infrastructure in their own constituency.".
A spokesperson for Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan confirmed his "long-standing opposition" to airport expansion around the capital, stating: "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.".
However, Rachel Reeves is poised to confront prominent Labour opponents of Heathrow expansion plans, asserting that the pressing need for economic growth takes precedence over their concerns. In a speech on growth scheduled for next week, the Chancellor is likely to endorse the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport, as well as expansion at Gatwick and Luton Airports.
