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Mayor blasts Heathrow vote ruling Mayor blasts Heathrow vote ruling
(40 minutes later)
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has accused the prime minister of not having the "guts" to let MPs vote on plans to build Heathrow's third runway.Mayor of London Boris Johnson has accused the prime minister of not having the "guts" to let MPs vote on plans to build Heathrow's third runway.
Pledging to support a legal challenge, the Tory mayor said: "I have absolutely no doubt we are going to be successful. This runway will not be built."Pledging to support a legal challenge, the Tory mayor said: "I have absolutely no doubt we are going to be successful. This runway will not be built."
Ministers say MPs never vote on "quasi judicial planning matters".Ministers say MPs never vote on "quasi judicial planning matters".
But that prompted a protest by Labour Heathrow MP John McDonnell who ended up being suspended during the debate.But that prompted a protest by Labour Heathrow MP John McDonnell who ended up being suspended during the debate.
The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and up to 50 Labour MPs oppose the plans and there was some anger that there would be no Commons vote on them.The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and up to 50 Labour MPs oppose the plans and there was some anger that there would be no Commons vote on them.
Security risksSecurity risks
Speaking to BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Johnson - who favours building a new airport in the Thames estuary - said: "They haven't got the guts to call a Parliamentary vote on this matter." Speaking to BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Johnson said: "They haven't got the guts to call a Parliamentary vote on this matter."
He challenged the prime minister to turn up to a public debate on the third runway in Hillingdon - the borough in which Heathrow is based - and claimed the vast majority of people in London were against it.He challenged the prime minister to turn up to a public debate on the third runway in Hillingdon - the borough in which Heathrow is based - and claimed the vast majority of people in London were against it.
I am pleased about the decision that we have reached because I do believe it is the right way forward for the UK Geoff HoonTransport secretary I am pleased about the decision that we have reached because I do believe it is the right way forward for the UK Geoff HoonTransport secretary class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7832693.stm">Tories warn firms off runway plan
"They haven't even got the nerve to put it to a vote of the whole of Parliament, let alone in London.""They haven't even got the nerve to put it to a vote of the whole of Parliament, let alone in London."
He also said he would contribute £15,000 of public money to help support the legal challenge against the plans and said not enough thought had been given to the security risks of having planes coming in to land over such highly populated areas. Mr Johnson favours building a new airport in the Thames estuary, which is not official Conservative policy, but admitted it was a "bit of a longshot".
And he said the lead engineer in the construction of Hong Kong's international airport, Douglas Oakervee, would be investigating alternative sites to see if a new airport could replace Heathrow. However he said all options, including looking at capacity at other airports like Stansted, Gatwick, Luton and Manston in Kent, should be considered - as well as looking at the Thames Estuary.
"I think we've got to think big," Mr Johnson said. New jobs
"Heathrow airport is basically a planning error of the 1940s, we are mad to be intensifying that error by greatly increasing the number of flights over London," he said.
"I think we've got to think big."
He said the lead engineer in the construction of Hong Kong's international airport, Douglas Oakervee, would investigate whether a new airport could be built.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? MPs told of decisionPlanning process begins - this will take yearsLegal challenge likely in daysIf Tories win next election they would scrap planIf all goes according to government plan, construction would start in 2015Third runway due to finish 2019 Political battle ahead
And he said he would contribute £15,000 of public money to help support a legal challenge, possibly on the grounds of noise, congestion and the security risks of having planes landing over highly populated areas.
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced on Thursday that the government would back plans for a third runway and sixth terminal.Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced on Thursday that the government would back plans for a third runway and sixth terminal.
It would allow the annual number of take-offs and landings to increase to 605,000 by 2020 and 720,000 by 2030 - up from 480,000 today.It would allow the annual number of take-offs and landings to increase to 605,000 by 2020 and 720,000 by 2030 - up from 480,000 today.
The decision has been backed by businesses, some unions, airport operator BAA and British Airways, who argue that Heathrow is already "jam packed" and could lose out to European rivals. They also say building a new runway and terminal alone will create 60,000 jobs.The decision has been backed by businesses, some unions, airport operator BAA and British Airways, who argue that Heathrow is already "jam packed" and could lose out to European rivals. They also say building a new runway and terminal alone will create 60,000 jobs.
But it still has to go through the planning process, and faces legal challenges alongside direct action from protesters.
And the Conservatives and Lib Dems have both pledged to scrap the plans, should they win power at the next general election, which has to be held by summer 2010.
On Sunday Mr Hoon told Sky News the government had to reconcile the "inexorable" demand for more travel, with its environmental commitments and had done so by allowing limited expansion at the airport.On Sunday Mr Hoon told Sky News the government had to reconcile the "inexorable" demand for more travel, with its environmental commitments and had done so by allowing limited expansion at the airport.
"I am pleased about the decision that we have reached because I do believe it is the right way forward for the UK," he said."I am pleased about the decision that we have reached because I do believe it is the right way forward for the UK," he said.
"We have all got to play our part in recognising that wanting to travel more ... necessarily has some impact on the environment.""We have all got to play our part in recognising that wanting to travel more ... necessarily has some impact on the environment."
Meanwhile a YouGov poll for the Sunday Times suggests the Conservatives have extended their lead over Labour in the past month.
The online survey of 2,077 adults across Britain, on 15 and 16 January put the Conservatives on 45%, up four points on last month, 13 points ahead of Labour who were down three on 32%. The Liberal Democrats were down one on 14%.
A ComRes telephone poll of 1,009 adults on 14 and 15 January for The Independent on Sunday also showed the Tories widening their lead over Labour. It puts the Tories on 41%, up two points on its last poll, and nine points ahead of Labour who were down two on 32%. The Lib Dems were down one on 15%.