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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 1 hour 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 has been suggested top ministers are reconsidering their opposition.It has been suggested top ministers are reconsidering their opposition.
But Transport Secretary Justine Greening said there was a "political consensus" against a new runway.But Transport Secretary Justine Greening said there was a "political consensus" against a new runway.
The coalition agreement between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats rules out any expansion before the next election.The coalition agreement between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats 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.
Dismissing the fresh calls, Ms Greening - whose Putney constituency is on the Heathrow flight path and who campaigned against a third runway before becoming a minister - told the BBC that the facts on the issue had not changed since the 2010 election.Dismissing the fresh calls, Ms Greening - whose Putney constituency is on the Heathrow flight path and who campaigned against a third runway before becoming a minister - told the BBC that the facts on the issue had not changed since the 2010 election.
"The coalition agreement stands," she told Radio 4's Today programme. "The prime minister stated that only a few weeks ago.""The coalition agreement stands," she told Radio 4's Today programme. "The prime minister stated that only a few weeks ago."
But writing in the Telegraph, Mr Yeo said the "environmental objections" to the expansion of Heathrow were "disappearing".But 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.
'Dignified slide''Dignified slide'
"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? Let's go for it.""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? 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.""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."
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.
However, a number of Conservatives have been converted to the runway cause.However, a number of Conservatives have been converted to the runway cause.
Mr Yeo's comments in the Telegraph come after Housing Minister Grant 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 Housing Minister Grant Shapps said "all the options need to be considered while being mindful of our election manifesto".
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.
Ms Greening told the BBC that she would find it "difficult" to remain part of a government which reversed its position on Heathrow expansion but she said this was a purely "hypothetical" scenario.Ms Greening told the BBC that she would find it "difficult" to remain part of a government which reversed its position on Heathrow expansion but she said this was a purely "hypothetical" scenario.
She said a third runway would quickly fill up and the UK needed to be "bolder" on airport capacity - considering what the country's needs would be in 40 or 50 years' time.She said a third runway would quickly fill up and the UK needed to be "bolder" on airport capacity - considering what the country's needs would be in 40 or 50 years' time.
"There is no sense we are going to move away from an anti-third runway position," she said. "I don't think any of the facts have changed around a third runway.""There is no sense we are going to move away from an anti-third runway position," she said. "I don't think any of the facts have changed around a third runway."
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said the business community saw the future of Heathrow as a "totemic" issue but the prime minister would certainly not want "to eat his words" over it.The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said the business community saw the future of Heathrow as a "totemic" issue but the prime minister would certainly not want "to eat his words" over it.
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.
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.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.
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. It is now expected to begin in the autumn.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.
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.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.