Government calls for surprise debate over Heathrow expansion plans » Environment » 24dash.com

The Government will hold a last gasp debate on Heathrow in the face of growing political support for the campaign to say NO to Heathrow expansion.

The surprise debate, to be held on Tuesday 11 November, was announced after 50 Labour MPs signed a parliamentary petition (known as an Early Day Motion), confirming their opposition to the Government’s Heathrow plans.

In an unusual move, MPs opposed to Heathrow expansion have invited campaigners to gather outside the House of Commons during the debate to show their support.

Cllr Barbara Reid, Hounslow’s lead member for aviation, who will attend the gathering on behalf of the borough, said: “The opposition to Heathrow expansion is getting stronger and louder every week. This surprise debate is a real opportunity for the Government to listen and find out why so many people say NO to expansion at Heathrow.

“Our aim is to ensure that Tuesday’s debate leaves the Government in no doubt that people in Hounslow will not tolerate any plans that mean more planes, more noise and more pollution.”

Political support for the campaign to say NO to Heathrow expansion has grown consistently in the past 12 months.

In February, the Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg, said “no, no, no” to Heathrow expansion at a public rally.

In May, all four major candidates for London mayor, including the eventual winner Boris Johnson, stood on an anti-Heathrow expansion platform.

In September, the leader of the opposition, David Cameron, announced that a future conservative government would not build a third runway.

In October, the former Labour cabinet minister and head of the Environment Agency, Chris Smith, spoke out against the Government’s plans for Heathrow.

Earlier this month, reports in The Guardian claimed that several Government ministers were privately supporting MPs who oppose Heathrow expansion. According to the newspaper, these included Hilary Benn, the environment, food and rural affairs secretary, Ed Miliband, the new energy and climate secretary, Harriet Harman, the leader of the house, and the foreign secretary, David Miliband.

Last week, London Councils, a body that represents all 33 local authorities in London, called on the Government to abandon its expansion plans.

Tuesday’s Commons debate will not result in a decision on Heathrow expansion but campaigners hope it will influence the Government’s response to its year-long public consultation.

The Government is expected to announce its decision on Heathrow expansion in December. Campaigners are planning one last visible protest before the decision on Saturday 29th November, 11.00 - 11.30am, in Lampton Park, Hounslow.