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Heathrow third runway: Tory MP Yeo urges Cameron to act Heathrow third runway: Tory MP Yeo urges Cameron to act
(about 2 hours later)
A Tory MP has urged Prime Minister David Cameron to decide whether he is a "man or a mouse" over the issue of a third runway at Heathrow Airport.A Tory MP has urged Prime Minister David Cameron to decide whether he is a "man or a mouse" over the issue of a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Tim Yeo, who backs expansion, urged him to act or risk "presiding over a dignified slide towards insignificance".Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Tim Yeo, who backs expansion, urged him to act or risk "presiding over a dignified slide towards insignificance".
It comes after Housing Minister Grant Shapps hinted a future Conservative government could consider the option.It comes after Housing Minister Grant Shapps hinted a future Conservative government could consider the option.
The coalition agreement rules out any expansion before the next election.The coalition agreement rules out any expansion before the next election.
Labour also currently opposes the idea of a third runway.Labour also currently opposes the idea of a third runway.
Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Yeo said the "environmental objections" to the expansion of Heathrow were "disappearing".Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Yeo said the "environmental objections" to the expansion of Heathrow were "disappearing".
He said the prime minister's government must find its "sense of mission" and immediately approve the building of a new runway.He said the prime minister's government must find its "sense of mission" and immediately approve the building of a new runway.
'Go for it''Go for it'
"The prime minister must ask himself whether he is man or mouse," wrote Mr Yeo, chairman of the Commons energy and climate change committee."The prime minister must ask himself whether he is man or mouse," wrote Mr Yeo, chairman of the Commons energy and climate change committee.
"Does he want to be another Harold Macmillan, presiding over a dignified slide towards insignificance?""Does he want to be another Harold Macmillan, presiding over a dignified slide towards insignificance?"
"Or is there somewhere inside his heart - an organ that still remains impenetrable to most Britons - a trace of Thatcher, determined to reverse the direction of our ship?"Or is there somewhere inside his heart - an organ that still remains impenetrable to most Britons - a trace of Thatcher, determined to reverse the direction of our ship?
"An immediate go-ahead for a third runway will symbolise the start of a new era, the moment the Cameron government found its sense of mission."An immediate go-ahead for a third runway will symbolise the start of a new era, the moment the Cameron government found its sense of mission.
"Let's go for it.""Let's go for it."
Mr Yeo, a former Conservative environment minister, was previously a high-profile opponent of expansion, but now argues that European Union carbon emissions caps will force airlines to use more environmentally friendly planes if they want to use new capacity at Heathrow.Mr Yeo, a former Conservative environment minister, was previously a high-profile opponent of expansion, but now argues that European Union carbon emissions caps will force airlines to use more environmentally friendly planes if they want to use new capacity at Heathrow.
"The environmental objections are disappearing," he wrote."The environmental objections are disappearing," he wrote.
"Last January, greenhouse gas emissions from flying were brought within the EU cap. Indeed, we could cover the whole of Surrey with runways and not increase emissions by a single kilogram: if Heathrow expands, so remaining the European destination of choice, airlines will fly their newest and quietest aircraft to it.""Last January, greenhouse gas emissions from flying were brought within the EU cap. Indeed, we could cover the whole of Surrey with runways and not increase emissions by a single kilogram: if Heathrow expands, so remaining the European destination of choice, airlines will fly their newest and quietest aircraft to it."
The coalition government scrapped Labour's plans for a third runway when it came to power, following widespread opposition from councils, residents and green groups.The coalition government scrapped Labour's plans for a third runway when it came to power, following widespread opposition from councils, residents and green groups.
The coalition agreement opposes a new runway at Heathrow - but a number of Conservatives have been converted to the cause.The coalition agreement opposes a new runway at Heathrow - but a number of Conservatives have been converted to the cause.
BBC chief political correspondent Ben Wright said it was not the first time Mr Yeo had called for a new runway at Heathrow.BBC chief political correspondent Ben Wright said it was not the first time Mr Yeo had called for a new runway at Heathrow.
But it was his sharp jab at the prime minister that was striking, our correspondent said.But it was his sharp jab at the prime minister that was striking, our correspondent said.
Mr Yeo's comments in the Telegraph come after Mr Shapps said "all the options need to be considered while being mindful of our election manifesto".Mr Yeo's comments in the Telegraph come after Mr Shapps said "all the options need to be considered while being mindful of our election manifesto".
Former Labour chancellor Alastair Darling also told the BBC on Monday the expansion needed to go ahead, and "we can't go on putting this decision off".Former Labour chancellor Alastair Darling also told the BBC on Monday the expansion needed to go ahead, and "we can't go on putting this decision off".
In March, reports suggested Chancellor George Osborne was pushing for the idea to be reconsidered.In March, reports suggested Chancellor George Osborne was pushing for the idea to be reconsidered.
Consultation delayedConsultation delayed
Some residents who live under the Heathrow flight path oppose the third runway, saying better use could be made of existing airport capacity.Some residents who live under the Heathrow flight path oppose the third runway, saying better use could be made of existing airport capacity.
Campaigners have urged the government not to rush into any decision.Campaigners have urged the government not to rush into any decision.
Transport Secretary Justine Greening - whose Putney constituency is on the Heathrow flight path - has campaigned against a third runway.Transport Secretary Justine Greening - whose Putney constituency is on the Heathrow flight path - has campaigned against a third runway.
And Tory MP Zac Goldsmith has said he will not stand as a Conservative MP at the next election if his party supports the idea.And Tory MP Zac Goldsmith has said he will not stand as a Conservative MP at the next election if his party supports the idea.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson also opposes expansion and is lobbying for a new airport in the Thames Estuary.Mayor of London Boris Johnson also opposes expansion and is lobbying for a new airport in the Thames Estuary.
A £50bn project to build an airport east of London has been put forward by architect Lord Foster.A £50bn project to build an airport east of London has been put forward by architect Lord Foster.
A consultation on the future of air capacity in south-east England has twice been delayed by the government.A consultation on the future of air capacity in south-east England has twice been delayed by the government.
It is now expected to begin in the autumn.It is now expected to begin in the autumn.
Should a third runway be built at Heathrow? Do you live near the airport? What do you make of the political arguments over the issue? You can send us your comments using the form below.