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Heathrow plans criticised by MPs Heathrow plans criticised by MPs
(about 2 hours later)
Building a new runway at Heathrow would have an "unacceptable" impact on local communities and the environment, the Conservatives have said.Building a new runway at Heathrow would have an "unacceptable" impact on local communities and the environment, the Conservatives have said.
Opening a Commons debate on the plans to expand Heathrow, shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers called for a "better, not bigger airport".Opening a Commons debate on the plans to expand Heathrow, shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers called for a "better, not bigger airport".
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon accused the Tories of "political opportunism".Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon accused the Tories of "political opportunism".
Earlier, Labour MP Andrew Slaughter quit his government post in protest to campaign against the proposal. Earlier, Labour MP Andrew Slaughter quit his government post to campaign against the proposal.
Mr Slaughter stepped down as an aide to Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown, saying he believed the £9bn project could still be blocked.Mr Slaughter stepped down as an aide to Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown, saying he believed the £9bn project could still be blocked.
MPs are debating the controversial £9bn project on Wednesday and despite an anticipated rebellion by up to 40 Labour MPs, ministers are believed to be expecting to win a vote after making a number of concessions over the runway. MPs are debating the controversial £9bn project and, despite an anticipated rebellion by up to 40 Labour MPs, ministers are believed to be expecting to win a vote, having made a number of concessions.
'Unconvincing''Unconvincing'
Labour rebel Paul Flynn claims government whips are piling pressure on the party's MPs and are even flying some of them back from Strasbourg, where they have been attending a Council of Europe plenary session, to vote for a third runway. Labour rebel Paul Flynn claimed government whips were piling pressure on the party's MPs and were even flying some of them back from Strasbourg, where they have been attending a Council of Europe plenary session, to vote for a third runway.
Mr Flynn - who accuses the government of offering "flights for votes" - said those Labour MPs like himself who were returning from Strasbourg to vote against the government would not get their travel costs reimbursed. The decision by the Conservative policy [to oppose expansion] is political opportunism of the lowest kind Geoff Hoon, Transport Secretary Mr Flynn - who accused the government of offering "flights for votes" - said those Labour MPs like himself who were returning from Strasbourg to vote against the government would not get their travel costs reimbursed. The decision by the Conservative policy [to oppose expansion] is political opportunism of the lowest kind Geoff Hoon, Transport Secretary
The Labour whips office confirmed that some Labour MPs were flying back to vote but they refused to say how many or comment on Mr Flynn's claims that those who opposed the government would have to pay their own travel costs. The Labour whips office confirmed some Labour MPs were flying back to vote, but refused to say how many or comment on Mr Flynn's claims that those who opposed the government would have to pay their own travel costs.
Explaining the Conservatives' opposition to the runway, Ms Villiers said the expansion would lead to an unacceptable increase in air and noise pollution while proposed environmental safeguards did not "stand up to scrutiny". Ms Villiers said the Heathrow expansion would lead to an unacceptable increase in air and noise pollution.
She said it was no longer possible to "stuff thousands more flights and millions more passengers into an overcrowded corner" of the country and said the economic arguments for expansion were "wholly unconvincing". She said proposed environmental safeguards did not "stand up to scrutiny" while the economic arguments for expansion were "wholly unconvincing".
'Dodgy''Dodgy'
The Tories had a "credible" plan to make Heathrow better, she added, with the construction of "viable" new high-speed rail links relieving overcrowding at the airport. The Tories had a "credible" plan to make Heathrow better, she added, with the construction of "viable" high-speed rail links relieving overcrowding at the airport.
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said the Conservatives had failed to spell out what criteria they would use to judge acceptable limits for air and noise quality and that their arguments could not be "taken seriously". But Mr Hoon said the Conservatives had failed to spell out criteria for acceptable limits for air and noise quality and that their arguments could not be "taken seriously".
Given the airport's importance as a global transport hub and current strains on its capacity, failure to expand Heathrow would do "serious damage to Britain's jobs and economy".Given the airport's importance as a global transport hub and current strains on its capacity, failure to expand Heathrow would do "serious damage to Britain's jobs and economy".
"The decision by the Conservative policy [to oppose expansion] is political opportunism of the lowest kind," he said. "The decision by the Conservative Party [to oppose expansion] is political opportunism of the lowest kind," he said.
Opposition from residents and green groups means that we can stop a third runway being built Andrew Slaughter This will go on until politicians pluck up the courage to say no and I think this is the moment to do so Chris Mullin
Lib Dem transport spokesman Norman Baker said the case for expansion was "dodgy" and there was "overwhelming opposition" to the plan.Lib Dem transport spokesman Norman Baker said the case for expansion was "dodgy" and there was "overwhelming opposition" to the plan.
The "massive" increase in flights being proposed could not be reconciled with the government's target of cutting carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, he added.The "massive" increase in flights being proposed could not be reconciled with the government's target of cutting carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, he added.
When it gave the go-ahead for the runway earlier this month, the government said it would impose tight conditions on further expansion to limit its environmental impact.When it gave the go-ahead for the runway earlier this month, the government said it would impose tight conditions on further expansion to limit its environmental impact.
There will be a cap on the number of flights initially allowed to use the new runway and "green slots" will only be given to airlines with the newest, least polluting aircraft. There will be a cap on the number of flights initially allowed to use the new runway and "green slots" will only be given to airlines with the newest, least-polluting aircraft.
But the development would result in the demolition of 750 homes and the disappearance of the village of Sipson.But the development would result in the demolition of 750 homes and the disappearance of the village of Sipson.
Mr Slaughter, MP for Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush, said he had quit his unpaid post - the lowest rung of the government ladder - to "continue campaigning" against the plan.Mr Slaughter, MP for Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush, said he had quit his unpaid post - the lowest rung of the government ladder - to "continue campaigning" against the plan.
In a letter to his constituents explaining his decision, Mr Slaughter said he had opposed airport expansion for 20 years. In a letter to his constituents, he said he had opposed airport expansion for 20 years.
"Ministers are insisting that stringent noise and pollution limits are met before the new runway can be used and that use of existing runways will not grow," he wrote. "Ministers are insisting that stringent noise and pollution limits are met before the new runway can be used," he wrote.
"But Heathrow will seek a way to break these promises once again. Opposition from residents and green groups means that we can stop a third runway being built. I assure you that my fight against it will go on.""But Heathrow will seek a way to break these promises once again. Opposition from residents and green groups means that we can stop a third runway being built. I assure you that my fight against it will go on."
Vote angerVote anger
Ministers say a parliamentary vote on the new runway is not necessary, a stance which has angered many MPs. Ministers say a parliamentary vote on the new runway is not necessary, to the anger of many MPs.
But the Conservatives, who oppose the new runway, secured a debate as part of their opposition parliamentary time. But the Conservatives secured a debate as part of their opposition parliamentary time.
Although Wednesday's vote will not be binding on ministers, it would be embarrassing for the government to lose it. Although Wednesday's vote will not be binding on ministers, it would be embarrassing if they lose it.
Before the government gave the go-ahead for the new runway, more than 50 Labour backbenchers were among 132 MPs to sign a motion calling for the government to reject the idea.Before the government gave the go-ahead for the new runway, more than 50 Labour backbenchers were among 132 MPs to sign a motion calling for the government to reject the idea.
It is thought that several of these MPs will now support the government because of the concessions made and the backing for the project of cabinet ministers such as Ed Miliband and Hilary Benn previously thought to be sceptical. One of those, former transport minister Chris Mullin, said the plan would "drive a coach and horses" through the government's policy to curb carbon emissions and would not satisfy the "aviation lobby" and its desire for expansion.
It is also reported that a small number of Conservative MPs may rebel against their own leadership and back the government on the grounds of the economic benefits of the scheme. "This will go on until politicians pluck up the courage to say no and I think this is the moment to do so," he said.
Although the Lib Dems oppose the runway, Ulster Unionist MPs are expected to support the government. But it is thought several MPs previously opposed will support the plan because of the concessions and the backing of cabinet ministers, such as Ed Miliband, previously thought to be sceptical.
The SNP have tabled an amendment to the Tory motion calling for high-speed rail lines to be built between London and Scotland and Wales. Hugh Bayley, Labour MP for City of York, said the government had done "enough" to win him over but would only continue to command his support if it "vigorously" pursued plans for high-speed rail.
Employers and union leaders have thrown their weight behind a new runway, saying it will create thousands of jobs and ensure London remains a top business destination. It is reported that a small number of Conservative MPs may rebel against their own leadership while the Ulster Unionist MPs are expected to support the government.
One of the few backbenchers to speak up for the runway, Labour MP Graham Stringer, said there was "no economic alternative" to the project.
Employers and union leaders say the runway will create thousands of jobs and ensure London remains competitive.
But a coalition of local councillors and environmental campaigners have vowed to mount a legal challenge, a move supported by Mayor of London Boris Johnson.But a coalition of local councillors and environmental campaigners have vowed to mount a legal challenge, a move supported by Mayor of London Boris Johnson.