This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/sep/29/jeremy-corbyn-doubtful-whip-mps-oppose-heathrow-expansion-third-runway-labour
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Corbyn doubtful he can whip MPs to oppose Heathrow expansion | Corbyn doubtful he can whip MPs to oppose Heathrow expansion |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Jeremy Corbyn has suggested it would not be easy to whip Labour MPs to vote against a third runway at Heathrow, despite his personal opposition to the major infrastructure project. | Jeremy Corbyn has suggested it would not be easy to whip Labour MPs to vote against a third runway at Heathrow, despite his personal opposition to the major infrastructure project. |
| The Labour leader said he has not yet decided whether to hold a free vote, but it could be difficult to get his MPs to fall into line with his view that the proposed project would have harmful impacts in terms of pollution and noise. | The Labour leader said he has not yet decided whether to hold a free vote, but it could be difficult to get his MPs to fall into line with his view that the proposed project would have harmful impacts in terms of pollution and noise. |
| A vote on Heathrow is more likely to go through if Labour MPs are allowed to vote with their conscience, as there are dozens of Conservatives who are opposed to expansion at the airport in west London. | A vote on Heathrow is more likely to go through if Labour MPs are allowed to vote with their conscience, as there are dozens of Conservatives who are opposed to expansion at the airport in west London. |
| Theresa May is expected to announce a decision within weeks about whether to proceed with expanding airport capacity at Heathrow, which was recommended by the Davies commission. | Theresa May is expected to announce a decision within weeks about whether to proceed with expanding airport capacity at Heathrow, which was recommended by the Davies commission. |
| It was reported in the FT on Thursday that government whips believe they have the numbers to push it through the House of Commons if there is a decision in favour. | It was reported in the FT on Thursday that government whips believe they have the numbers to push it through the House of Commons if there is a decision in favour. |
| However, the numbers are particularly uncertain because the prime minister is likely to give her own MPs a free vote to stop the resignations of a number of cabinet ministers who have constituencies that would be affected. | However, the numbers are particularly uncertain because the prime minister is likely to give her own MPs a free vote to stop the resignations of a number of cabinet ministers who have constituencies that would be affected. |
| It is thought a majority of Labour MPs would support the scheme if given freedom to vote how they like, even though Corbyn and John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, are against the plan. The Scottish National party has hinted it could be in favour if given assurances about routes to Scotland. | It is thought a majority of Labour MPs would support the scheme if given freedom to vote how they like, even though Corbyn and John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, are against the plan. The Scottish National party has hinted it could be in favour if given assurances about routes to Scotland. |
| Speaking to the Guardian, Corbyn said he had never been a supporter “because of the issues of noise and pollution across westLondon”. He acknowledged there was a “huge debate in the party about it” and that his shadow cabinet would have to “have a discussion and debate and try and work out a way forward but also improve rail links so we reduce the number of internal flights”. | |
| Asked whether he would ask his MPs to vote against the plan, Corbyn said: “What I’ve discovered is whipping Labour when Labour doesn’t want to be whipped is not an easy thing to do.” | Asked whether he would ask his MPs to vote against the plan, Corbyn said: “What I’ve discovered is whipping Labour when Labour doesn’t want to be whipped is not an easy thing to do.” |
| Corbyn has already held free votes on Trident and Syria as Labour was so split on the issues, with many MPs taking a different view to their leader. | Corbyn has already held free votes on Trident and Syria as Labour was so split on the issues, with many MPs taking a different view to their leader. |
| It is still not certain that May, whose Maidenhead constituency is near the airport, will opt for Heathrow expansion over Gatwick or another option. | It is still not certain that May, whose Maidenhead constituency is near the airport, will opt for Heathrow expansion over Gatwick or another option. |
| There is huge pressure on the prime minister to make a decision after years of prevarication by David Cameron, who was reluctant to break a pre-2010 promise he made about opposing Heathrow expansion with “no ifs, no buts”. | There is huge pressure on the prime minister to make a decision after years of prevarication by David Cameron, who was reluctant to break a pre-2010 promise he made about opposing Heathrow expansion with “no ifs, no buts”. |