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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| SNP MPs 'may not back Heathrow expansion' | SNP MPs 'may not back Heathrow expansion' |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| The SNP could refuse to back Heathrow expansion in a key Commons vote on Monday, BBC Scotland has learned. | The SNP could refuse to back Heathrow expansion in a key Commons vote on Monday, BBC Scotland has learned. |
| A senior party source said it had not been convinced by the case for a third runway. | A senior party source said it had not been convinced by the case for a third runway. |
| The SNP had been expected to back the UK government in the vote. | The SNP had been expected to back the UK government in the vote. |
| But the source said the party had been concerned in recent weeks about a lack of detail about how benefits would be delivered. | But the source said the party had been concerned in recent weeks about a lack of detail about how benefits would be delivered. |
| It now appears likely that the SNP's 35 MPs will abstain or possibly vote against the plans, although no final decision has been taken. | It now appears likely that the SNP's 35 MPs will abstain or possibly vote against the plans, although no final decision has been taken. |
| The Scottish government has previously backed Heathrow's bid for a third runway, saying it would bring economic benefits for Scotland. | The Scottish government has previously backed Heathrow's bid for a third runway, saying it would bring economic benefits for Scotland. |
| However, the SNP source said: "The government might well find out on Monday that they have run out of goodwill from the SNP over this. | However, the SNP source said: "The government might well find out on Monday that they have run out of goodwill from the SNP over this. |
| "They have only themselves to blame for that." | "They have only themselves to blame for that." |
| More than 40 Labour MPs have backed expansion - meaning the government is unlikely to be defeated. | More than 40 Labour MPs have backed expansion - meaning the government is unlikely to be defeated. |
| The UK government faces opposition in its own ranks, with a number of Conservatives who represent seats in Heathrow's flight path expected to rebel. | The UK government faces opposition in its own ranks, with a number of Conservatives who represent seats in Heathrow's flight path expected to rebel. |
| Last week junior trade minister Greg Hands resigned from the government to oppose expansion of Heathrow Airport. | Last week junior trade minister Greg Hands resigned from the government to oppose expansion of Heathrow Airport. |
| Mr Hands, who represents the Chelsea and Fulham constituency in London, said he had pledged to oppose the new runway at the 2017 election. | Mr Hands, who represents the Chelsea and Fulham constituency in London, said he had pledged to oppose the new runway at the 2017 election. |
| Analysis - by Nick Eardley, BBC Scotland political correspondent | Analysis - by Nick Eardley, BBC Scotland political correspondent |
| The SNP government in Edinburgh still officially backs Heathrow. | The SNP government in Edinburgh still officially backs Heathrow. |
| And it had been widely expected the SNP would back the government in the final Commons vote. | And it had been widely expected the SNP would back the government in the final Commons vote. |
| But I'm told there's unhappiness at what the party sees as a lack of detail about how the plans will benefit Scotland. | But I'm told there's unhappiness at what the party sees as a lack of detail about how the plans will benefit Scotland. |
| No final decision has been made, but some in the party now think there's little to no chance they'll back the plans tomorrow. I think it's likely they'll abstain rather than vote against. | |
| Some will likely see this in the context of the SNP planning to disrupt government business at Westminster. | Some will likely see this in the context of the SNP planning to disrupt government business at Westminster. |
| That plan relates more to Brexit legislation, but one source admitted to me there was more scope for this opposition in light of recent events. | That plan relates more to Brexit legislation, but one source admitted to me there was more scope for this opposition in light of recent events. |
| The highest profile opponent of Heathrow expansion in the cabinet is Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, who once pledged to lie down in front of bulldozers to stop it happening. | The highest profile opponent of Heathrow expansion in the cabinet is Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, who once pledged to lie down in front of bulldozers to stop it happening. |
| But he is scheduled to be out of the UK on Monday so will not be attending the vote in the House of Commons. | But he is scheduled to be out of the UK on Monday so will not be attending the vote in the House of Commons. |
| Labour is also divided on the controversial issue, with members of the party's leadership, such as shadow chancellor John McDonnell, opposed to it, but high-profile trade union backers in favour. | |
| The party's MPs are being allowed to vote however they want to on the issue. | The party's MPs are being allowed to vote however they want to on the issue. |
| Campaigners argue that a new runway will breach the UK's legal limits on air pollution and increase noise pollution with an extra 700 planes a day. | Campaigners argue that a new runway will breach the UK's legal limits on air pollution and increase noise pollution with an extra 700 planes a day. |