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Heathrow expansion: Zac Goldsmith to resign over third runway decision - live Heathrow expansion: Zac Goldsmith to resign over third runway decision - live
(about 1 hour later)
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That’s it for the liveblog for today.
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Jessica ElgotJessica Elgot
In the recent Witney byelection, the Lib Dems recorded their biggest byelection swing in 20 years, though they still lost to the Conservatives. That was a test ground for more winnable seats like Richmond Park (Zac Goldsmith’s constituency), party sources said.In the recent Witney byelection, the Lib Dems recorded their biggest byelection swing in 20 years, though they still lost to the Conservatives. That was a test ground for more winnable seats like Richmond Park (Zac Goldsmith’s constituency), party sources said.
Recalling the byelection after the resignation of Lib Dem cabinet minister Chris Huhne, one senior Lib Dem source said:Recalling the byelection after the resignation of Lib Dem cabinet minister Chris Huhne, one senior Lib Dem source said:
Never mind Witney, this is going to be a bigger campaign than Eastleigh. In Witney we were going for a really strong second, which we achieved, this time we will be going to win.Never mind Witney, this is going to be a bigger campaign than Eastleigh. In Witney we were going for a really strong second, which we achieved, this time we will be going to win.
The party expects 4,000 of its members in Richmond and neighbouring seats to campaign in the west London seat if Goldsmith resigns later on Tuesday.The party expects 4,000 of its members in Richmond and neighbouring seats to campaign in the west London seat if Goldsmith resigns later on Tuesday.
If a byelection is triggered, the party will face an uphill battle for recognition in the seat. Vince Cable, the former business secretary who was rumoured to be standing in Richmond Park having lost the neighbouring seat of Twickenham, will not run in the byelection.If a byelection is triggered, the party will face an uphill battle for recognition in the seat. Vince Cable, the former business secretary who was rumoured to be standing in Richmond Park having lost the neighbouring seat of Twickenham, will not run in the byelection.
Instead, the candidate is a relative unknown, local accountant Sarah Olney who only joined the party in May 2015.Instead, the candidate is a relative unknown, local accountant Sarah Olney who only joined the party in May 2015.
Olney told the Guardian she had initially expected just to be delivering a few leaflets, but now faces the prospect of fighting a tough by-election within months, having only been selected in July. She said:Olney told the Guardian she had initially expected just to be delivering a few leaflets, but now faces the prospect of fighting a tough by-election within months, having only been selected in July. She said:
This has been a bit unexpected. But I’m ready to go to the voters, and our activists are really fired up by the result in Witney, and want to get stuck in to another byelection.This has been a bit unexpected. But I’m ready to go to the voters, and our activists are really fired up by the result in Witney, and want to get stuck in to another byelection.
The party was united in opposition to Heathrow, unlike the Tories, Olney said.The party was united in opposition to Heathrow, unlike the Tories, Olney said.
A Conservative government has approved the expansion, and it shows how he has been ineffective in fighting it.A Conservative government has approved the expansion, and it shows how he has been ineffective in fighting it.
Brexit will be the party’s other major talking point in west London too, with high numbers of EU citizens living in Richmond Park. Olney said:Brexit will be the party’s other major talking point in west London too, with high numbers of EU citizens living in Richmond Park. Olney said:
It was a strongly remain area and Zac has let down a lot of his constituents in supporting the leave campaign. He is not representing their opinions at all, and it creates a great deal of uncertainty for residents.It was a strongly remain area and Zac has let down a lot of his constituents in supporting the leave campaign. He is not representing their opinions at all, and it creates a great deal of uncertainty for residents.
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Libby BrooksLibby Brooks
The SNP’s Westminster transport spokesperson, Drew Hendry, has called on the UK government to ensure that Scotland gets a “fair deal” from Heathrow expansion. Welcoming the decision, Hendry said:The SNP’s Westminster transport spokesperson, Drew Hendry, has called on the UK government to ensure that Scotland gets a “fair deal” from Heathrow expansion. Welcoming the decision, Hendry said:
There is still a long way to go before parliament even gets to vote on it - and the Tories are deeply and bitterly divided about it -so for businesses and travellers there will still be frustration.There is still a long way to go before parliament even gets to vote on it - and the Tories are deeply and bitterly divided about it -so for businesses and travellers there will still be frustration.
Whilst expansion at Heathrow can and must benefit Scotland, there will be disproportionate benefit to the south east of England and London. The UK government must ensure that when this does eventually get approval Scotland gets a fair deal from the process. We should see a commitment on route investment, guarantees to Scottish cities and an equitable share of any public spending that might be accrued coming to Scotland.Whilst expansion at Heathrow can and must benefit Scotland, there will be disproportionate benefit to the south east of England and London. The UK government must ensure that when this does eventually get approval Scotland gets a fair deal from the process. We should see a commitment on route investment, guarantees to Scottish cities and an equitable share of any public spending that might be accrued coming to Scotland.
For the wider benefit they must also make a proper commitment to supporting new airspace plans, bio fuels for aircraft and the use of carbon reduction technology.For the wider benefit they must also make a proper commitment to supporting new airspace plans, bio fuels for aircraft and the use of carbon reduction technology.
But his counterpart for the Scottish Greens, John Finnie MSP, criticised the SNP’s support for today’s decision, insisting that “it does nothing to advance social justice”.But his counterpart for the Scottish Greens, John Finnie MSP, criticised the SNP’s support for today’s decision, insisting that “it does nothing to advance social justice”.
Finnie said:Finnie said:
Wealthy frequent fliers will benefit, as they will from Scottish Mmnisters’ desire to cut air passenger duty. Maintaining air links between cities as far apart as Inverness and London makes sense but that does not require expansion. The real priorities for our tourist industry are skilled workers, better rail and bus travel for workers and visitors, and better broadband and mobile reception. Those cheering today’s announcement are celebrating a backward step.Wealthy frequent fliers will benefit, as they will from Scottish Mmnisters’ desire to cut air passenger duty. Maintaining air links between cities as far apart as Inverness and London makes sense but that does not require expansion. The real priorities for our tourist industry are skilled workers, better rail and bus travel for workers and visitors, and better broadband and mobile reception. Those cheering today’s announcement are celebrating a backward step.
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The Lib Dems are unimpressed by the protestations of some Conservatives:The Lib Dems are unimpressed by the protestations of some Conservatives:
Empty words from Boris Johnson, Justine Greening and Zac Goldsmith are little comfort to those who elected them on an anti-#Heathrow ticketEmpty words from Boris Johnson, Justine Greening and Zac Goldsmith are little comfort to those who elected them on an anti-#Heathrow ticket
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Another senior Conservative has spoken out against the decision. The education secretary Justine Greening declared that she is “extremely disappointed”.Another senior Conservative has spoken out against the decision. The education secretary Justine Greening declared that she is “extremely disappointed”.
The MP for Putney, Roehampton and Southfields, said:The MP for Putney, Roehampton and Southfields, said:
Along with many people in my local community, I am extremely disappointed with the decision to push ahead with a third runway at Heathrow.Along with many people in my local community, I am extremely disappointed with the decision to push ahead with a third runway at Heathrow.
My views against expanding Heathrow, particularly on the impact of noise and air pollution on local residents and the weak economic case, are long-held and well-known.My views against expanding Heathrow, particularly on the impact of noise and air pollution on local residents and the weak economic case, are long-held and well-known.
I will continue to represent the views of my constituents, not least during the forthcoming public consultation on the draft national policy statement announced by the secretary of state for transport today.I will continue to represent the views of my constituents, not least during the forthcoming public consultation on the draft national policy statement announced by the secretary of state for transport today.
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Here’s some more of what Boris Johnson’s said about the Heathrow decisionHere’s some more of what Boris Johnson’s said about the Heathrow decision
The foreign secretary claimed the project would cause “inevitable degradation” to the quality of life of people under the potential new flight paths. He said:The foreign secretary claimed the project would cause “inevitable degradation” to the quality of life of people under the potential new flight paths. He said:
A third runway is undeliverable. The day when the bulldozers appear is a long way off, if indeed they ever materialise.A third runway is undeliverable. The day when the bulldozers appear is a long way off, if indeed they ever materialise.
(Johnson had previously promised to lay down in front of bulldozers to prevent a third runway being built.)(Johnson had previously promised to lay down in front of bulldozers to prevent a third runway being built.)
Johnson said the new runway would create a “hell” of aircraft noise above London, moments after pausing the interview to wait for a passing jet, and suggested that his plan for a new airport in the Thames Estuary was a “better solution”.Johnson said the new runway would create a “hell” of aircraft noise above London, moments after pausing the interview to wait for a passing jet, and suggested that his plan for a new airport in the Thames Estuary was a “better solution”.
He said:He said:
No other great city would do this to its inhabitants. New York is going to be the city of beautiful skyscrapers, Paris the city of lights and London in the future, if we go ahead with this project, will be known as the city of planes.No other great city would do this to its inhabitants. New York is going to be the city of beautiful skyscrapers, Paris the city of lights and London in the future, if we go ahead with this project, will be known as the city of planes.
He anticipated the proposal would be “snarled up” in legal cases and pointed out that it was not the first time a government had given its approval to Heathrow.He anticipated the proposal would be “snarled up” in legal cases and pointed out that it was not the first time a government had given its approval to Heathrow.
I think it very likely it will be stopped. We have been here before and we are going to see an inevitable fight in the courts and I think the chances of success for the proponents of the third runway are not high.I think it very likely it will be stopped. We have been here before and we are going to see an inevitable fight in the courts and I think the chances of success for the proponents of the third runway are not high.
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Jessica ElgotJessica Elgot
Zac Goldsmith stood up in the Commons after Grayling’s statement and condemned the decision but made no mention of his plans to resign.Zac Goldsmith stood up in the Commons after Grayling’s statement and condemned the decision but made no mention of his plans to resign.
The government has chosen a course that is not only wrong, it is doomed. It’s wrong because of the million people who will suffer on the back of the environmental harm this project unavoidably produces and doomed because of the complexities and costs and legal complications means this project is almost certainly not going to be delivered.The government has chosen a course that is not only wrong, it is doomed. It’s wrong because of the million people who will suffer on the back of the environmental harm this project unavoidably produces and doomed because of the complexities and costs and legal complications means this project is almost certainly not going to be delivered.
I believe this will be a millstone around this government’s neck for many, many years to come, constant source of delay, of anger and betrayal among those people who will be directly affected.I believe this will be a millstone around this government’s neck for many, many years to come, constant source of delay, of anger and betrayal among those people who will be directly affected.
Goldsmith said he “would not know where to begin” in questioning the decision. “I simply want to put my absolute opposition on the record.”Goldsmith said he “would not know where to begin” in questioning the decision. “I simply want to put my absolute opposition on the record.”
Grayling said he respected the sincerity of Goldsmith’s views and his commitment to his constituents.Grayling said he respected the sincerity of Goldsmith’s views and his commitment to his constituents.
I hope he will at least respect the fact that all of us in politics have to do what we believe is right, I am doing what I believe is right,” he said. “His views are what he believes is right. Not all of us can get it right all the time, but you have to do what you believe is best for your country and that is what I believe I am doing now.I hope he will at least respect the fact that all of us in politics have to do what we believe is right, I am doing what I believe is right,” he said. “His views are what he believes is right. Not all of us can get it right all the time, but you have to do what you believe is best for your country and that is what I believe I am doing now.
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Campaigners opposed to Gatwick’s expansion have expressed relief at today’s decision.Campaigners opposed to Gatwick’s expansion have expressed relief at today’s decision.
Sally Pavey, chair of CAGNE, Communities against Gatwick Noise and Emissions, said:Sally Pavey, chair of CAGNE, Communities against Gatwick Noise and Emissions, said:
This clear decision will put an end to the years of uncertainty for our communities and the country. Gatwick expansion was always the wrong choice both from a national and a local perspective.This clear decision will put an end to the years of uncertainty for our communities and the country. Gatwick expansion was always the wrong choice both from a national and a local perspective.
Nationally, had Gatwick been chosen, Britain could not have competed with Europe’s excellent transport hubs because we would have had two inadequate hubs 40 miles apart with little or no connectivity. Locally, it would have brought our infrastructure to a standstill, destroyed our ancient woodlands, heritage sites, and areas of outstanding natural beauty, added numerous new flight paths over areas previously undisturbed and doubled flights over our skies night and day with no respite.Nationally, had Gatwick been chosen, Britain could not have competed with Europe’s excellent transport hubs because we would have had two inadequate hubs 40 miles apart with little or no connectivity. Locally, it would have brought our infrastructure to a standstill, destroyed our ancient woodlands, heritage sites, and areas of outstanding natural beauty, added numerous new flight paths over areas previously undisturbed and doubled flights over our skies night and day with no respite.
She urged Gatwick airport to accept the decision.She urged Gatwick airport to accept the decision.
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This animation shows the layers of air traffic associated with each of London’s five major airports over a 24-hour period. In Heathrow’s case that will obviously expand if a third runway is built.This animation shows the layers of air traffic associated with each of London’s five major airports over a 24-hour period. In Heathrow’s case that will obviously expand if a third runway is built.
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Heathrow third runway 'undeliverable' - Boris JohnsonHeathrow third runway 'undeliverable' - Boris Johnson
Foreign secretary Boris Johnson may not have spoken up during this morning’s cabinet meeting, according to Number 10, but he has now.Foreign secretary Boris Johnson may not have spoken up during this morning’s cabinet meeting, according to Number 10, but he has now.
He said a third runway at Heathrow is “undeliverable”, adding:He said a third runway at Heathrow is “undeliverable”, adding:
I think it very likely it will be stopped.I think it very likely it will be stopped.
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Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald begins by condemning the fact that the decision was widely leaked in the media ahead of being sent to him and announced to the house.Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald begins by condemning the fact that the decision was widely leaked in the media ahead of being sent to him and announced to the house.
He also criticises the “procrastination and delay”.He also criticises the “procrastination and delay”.
He stresses that Labour’s support will be conditional:He stresses that Labour’s support will be conditional:
Firstly, on sufficient capacity being delivered; secondly, that the UK’s legal climate change obligations are met; thirdly, that local noise and environmental impacts are managed and minimised; and fourthly, that the benefits are not confined to London and the South East.Firstly, on sufficient capacity being delivered; secondly, that the UK’s legal climate change obligations are met; thirdly, that local noise and environmental impacts are managed and minimised; and fourthly, that the benefits are not confined to London and the South East.
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Grayling says:Grayling says:
This is a decision in the national interest, it is not just about south-east England.This is a decision in the national interest, it is not just about south-east England.
There are laughs as Grayling denies that the process has been slow and convoluted, claims he blames on the media.There are laughs as Grayling denies that the process has been slow and convoluted, claims he blames on the media.
He acknowledges “strong feelings” both for and against a third runway at Heathrow.He acknowledges “strong feelings” both for and against a third runway at Heathrow.
He finishes by saying that it is vital for the future prosperity of the country.He finishes by saying that it is vital for the future prosperity of the country.
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Grayling says the government is backed by UK airlines and businesses that a third runway at Heathrow is the right option.Grayling says the government is backed by UK airlines and businesses that a third runway at Heathrow is the right option.
He stresses that Gatwick remains “a key part of out transport infrastructure and will continue to be so in the future”.He stresses that Gatwick remains “a key part of out transport infrastructure and will continue to be so in the future”.
There must be efforts to make Heathrow “a better neighbour”.There must be efforts to make Heathrow “a better neighbour”.
He says the government takes the issue of air quality “very seriously indeed”.He says the government takes the issue of air quality “very seriously indeed”.
By the time a new runway is built he hopes to have made substantial progress in tackling air quality concerns, says Grayling.By the time a new runway is built he hopes to have made substantial progress in tackling air quality concerns, says Grayling.
He says aeroplanes are being made quieter and, referring to the 6.5 hours ban on flights each night, claims that even with expansion fewer people will be affected than today.He says aeroplanes are being made quieter and, referring to the 6.5 hours ban on flights each night, claims that even with expansion fewer people will be affected than today.
Heathrow will pay 25% above the market price to people whose homes have to be demolished as well as all costs, including stamp duty.Heathrow will pay 25% above the market price to people whose homes have to be demolished as well as all costs, including stamp duty.
He says it is not “expansion at any cost but the right scheme at the right cost”.He says it is not “expansion at any cost but the right scheme at the right cost”.