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Zac Goldsmith to resign as Tory MP after Heathrow go-ahead Zac Goldsmith to resign as Tory MP after Heathrow go-ahead
(35 minutes later)
Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith is set to resign his seat in protest after the government gave the go-ahead to a third runway at Heathrow. Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith is set to resign his seat in protest after the government finally gave the go-ahead to a third runway at Heathrow, a decision it has hailed as “momentous”.
The MP for Richmond Park, who was the party’s London mayoral candidate, told his local Conservative Association that he would tender his resignation and force a byelection. The MP for Richmond Park, who was the party’s London mayoral candidate, said the announcement was “catastrophic” and told his local Conservative Association that he would tender his resignation and force a byelection.
The government had hailed the decision to expand Heathrow and the construction of the first full-length runway in the south-east since the second world war as “momentous” . The government said the decision to expand Heathrow and the construction of the first full-length runway in the south-east since the second world war would be a major boost to the UK economy.
Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, said it was vital to keeping the UK open for business and that the economic benefits would be worth up to £61bn, as well as creating up to 77,000 additional local jobs. Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, said it was vital to keeping Britain open for business and that the economic benefits would be worth up to £61bn, as well as creating up to 77,000 additional local jobs.
Goldsmith’s resignation was an immediate indication of the divisions within the Conservative party over the issue. It is understood Justine Greening, the education secretary, will restate her opposition to Heathrow expansion in a statement for constituents later on Tuesday afternoon. She was not expected to give any broadcast or press interviews.Goldsmith’s resignation was an immediate indication of the divisions within the Conservative party over the issue. It is understood Justine Greening, the education secretary, will restate her opposition to Heathrow expansion in a statement for constituents later on Tuesday afternoon. She was not expected to give any broadcast or press interviews.
Under the terms of Theresa May’s limited suspension of collective responsibility, Greening will be able to continue expressing her discontent with the decision without actively campaigning against it.Under the terms of Theresa May’s limited suspension of collective responsibility, Greening will be able to continue expressing her discontent with the decision without actively campaigning against it.
As he left the cabinet meeting, Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, said “yes” when reporters in Downing Street asked if he would continue to oppose Heathrow’s expansion.As he left the cabinet meeting, Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, said “yes” when reporters in Downing Street asked if he would continue to oppose Heathrow’s expansion.
Within an hour of the official announcement, Goldsmith tweeted:Within an hour of the official announcement, Goldsmith tweeted:
Following the Government's catastrophic Heathrow announcement, I will be meeting my constituents later today before making a statement.Following the Government's catastrophic Heathrow announcement, I will be meeting my constituents later today before making a statement.
In an email to members, Richmond Park Conservative Association’s agent, David Jones, said Goldsmith had informed the local party he intended to resign.In an email to members, Richmond Park Conservative Association’s agent, David Jones, said Goldsmith had informed the local party he intended to resign.
“You will no doubt have seen the announcement in the media this morning that the government has given the green light for expansion at Heathrow,” the email read. “Zac has contacted the association to let us know that he intends to honour his pledge to resign and force a byelection in Richmond Park.” “You will no doubt have seen the announcement in the media this morning that the government has given the green light for expansion at Heathrow,” the email read. “Zac has contacted the association to let us know that he intends to honour his pledge to resign and force a byelection in Richmond Park.
The chairman has called an emergency meeting for the executive council for Wednesday evening to discuss the turn of events and will issue a full statement to members on the association’s position.” “The chairman has called an emergency meeting for the executive council for tomorrow evening to discuss the turn of events and will issue a full statement to members on the association’s position.”
“Zac will be in the House of Commons for the Heathrow statement, and will be returning to speak to his constituents before making a statement after that,” a spokeswoman for Goldsmith said. A spokeswoman for Goldsmith said he would be meeting constituents later on Tuesday and then make a public statement. “Zac will be in the House of Commons for the Heathrow statement, and will be returning to speak to his constituents before making a statement after that,” she said.
Goldsmith had been reported to be considering running in any subsequent byelection as an independent candidate.Goldsmith had been reported to be considering running in any subsequent byelection as an independent candidate.
The Liberal Democrats, who held the seat from 1997 until 2010, have high hopes of winning the seat, especially if Goldsmith runs against a Conservative candidate. The party also hopes to capitalise on Goldsmith’s Brexit vote in the EU referendum, despite the area turning out strongly for remain.The Liberal Democrats, who held the seat from 1997 until 2010, have high hopes of winning the seat, especially if Goldsmith runs against a Conservative candidate. The party also hopes to capitalise on Goldsmith’s Brexit vote in the EU referendum, despite the area turning out strongly for remain.
The Lib Dem leader, Tim Farron, said: “Zac Goldsmith has failed Richmond Park on Heathrow and betrayed them on Brexit. The turbulence in the Conservative party is nothing compared to the anger felt by those they have betrayed by giving up their commitment to the environment and communities in west London.”The Lib Dem leader, Tim Farron, said: “Zac Goldsmith has failed Richmond Park on Heathrow and betrayed them on Brexit. The turbulence in the Conservative party is nothing compared to the anger felt by those they have betrayed by giving up their commitment to the environment and communities in west London.”
Widespread protests and legal challenges are expected to follow Tuesday’s decision, with campaigners expected to focus on air quality, noise and Britain’s climate change commitments. The runway, which could be built by 2025, would lead to almost 50% more planes over London, bringing new neighbourhoods under the flightpath.
The government said it would propose a six-and-a-half-hour ban on scheduled night flights, and will make more stringent night noise restrictions a requirement of expansion. It will also propose new legally binding noise targets.
The government confirmed the scheme would be taken forward in the form of a draft national policy statement, which will be consulted on in the new year.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, accused the government of “running roughshod over Londoners’ views”, saying he had been elected on a clear platform of opposing a new runway at Heathrow.
Khan said he may challenge the Heathrow decision through the courts, along with councils that are considering their options. “I am exploring how I can best be involved in any legal process over the coming months,” he said. “Most urgently, the government must set out how it’s possible for Londoners not to suffer from the additional air and noise pollution that we know will be created by an additional runway at Heathrow.”
May’s own local council, Windsor and Maidenhead, also signalled it could be prepared to fight the decision in court. “Our campaign against Heathrow expansion with councils in Hillingdon, Richmond and Wandsworth and Greenpeace continues and we will take whatever action is necessary to stop this decision on behalf of the 1 million residents we represent,” said Simon Dudley, the leader of the council.