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SNP MPs to abstain in Heathrow third runway vote SNP MPs abstain in Heathrow third runway vote
(about 4 hours later)
The SNP has withdrawn its support for a third runway at Heathrow airport, hours before a key Commons vote on the move.The SNP has withdrawn its support for a third runway at Heathrow airport, hours before a key Commons vote on the move.
The UK government wants MPs to give the go-ahead for a third runway, which they say would boost the number of flights to and from Scotland. But the UK government persuaded MPs to give the go-ahead for a third runway, which they say would boost the number of flights to and from Scotland.
The Commons supported the government's plan by 415 votes to 119, a majority of 296.
The Scottish government has been a longtime backer of the plans, and was still behind them on Sunday.The Scottish government has been a longtime backer of the plans, and was still behind them on Sunday.
However the SNP now says it will abstain from voting because there are "no guarantees of the benefits". But SNP MPs abstained from voting because there were "no guarantees of the benefits".
The vote is still expected to pass, with the government pressing its own MPs to back the move and more than 40 Labour MPs expected to join them.
It has been projected that the expansion of Heathrow would create at least 100 extra landing slots from Heathrow to Scottish airports each week.It has been projected that the expansion of Heathrow would create at least 100 extra landing slots from Heathrow to Scottish airports each week.
The Scottish government had previously backed Heathrow's bid for a third runway, saying it would bring economic benefits for Scotland.The Scottish government had previously backed Heathrow's bid for a third runway, saying it would bring economic benefits for Scotland.
On Sunday, a Transport Scotland spokesman said the government "supports expansion at Heathrow airport" and "looks forward to Scotland seeing the benefits".On Sunday, a Transport Scotland spokesman said the government "supports expansion at Heathrow airport" and "looks forward to Scotland seeing the benefits".
However, on Monday evening SNP MPs announced they would be abstaining because the UK government had "failed to make the case" for the move. However, on the day of the vote, SNP MPs announced they would be abstaining because the UK government had "failed to make the case" for the move.
Transport spokesman Alan Brown said SNP members "could not vote for a third runway at Heathrow with no guarantees of the benefits".Transport spokesman Alan Brown said SNP members "could not vote for a third runway at Heathrow with no guarantees of the benefits".
More than 40 Labour MPs have backed expansion - meaning the government is unlikely to be defeated. The UK government faced opposition in its own ranks, with a number of Conservatives who represent seats in Heathrow's flight path rebelling.
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.
Labour divisionsLabour divisions
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 was visiting Afghanistan and unable to attend 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.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 were allowed to vote however they wanted 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.