Sixty six MPs representing the length and breadth of the UK and from right across the political spectrum are urging Ministers to make a final decision on a new runway by the summer recess saying that a decision is “vital for the prosperity of the nations and regions of the UK”.
Early Day Motion 1162 (Final decision on airport expansion in London and the South East) has won the support of a large number of MPs from opposition parties including members from Labour, the SNP, the DUP, the Ulster Unionist Party, the SDLP and Plaid Cymru; helping to build confidence amongst Ministers that a decision to build a new runway would command a comfortable Parliamentary majority in the House of Commons.
The list of signatories includes:
– Graham Brady MP (Chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of Conservative backbench MPs)
– Mary Glindon MP (PPS to the Shadow Transport Secretary and member of the Transport Select Committee)
– Drew Hendry MP (SNP Westminster Transport Spokesperson)
– Angus Macneil MP (Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee)
– Jonathan Edwards MP (Plaid Cymru Westminster Treasury Spokesperson)
– Sammy Wilson MP (DUP Westminster Treasury Spokesperson)
Gavin Hayes, Director of Let Britain Fly said: “The clear message from backbench MPs representing the length and breadth of Britain and from across the political spectrum is that as soon as the Europe referendum is out of the way a decision must be taken on airport expansion. Such a decision is vital for the economic prosperity of the entire country. So once the referendum is behind us we urge Ministers to show strong political leadership and grasp the nettle.”
Graham Brady MP said: “After the Europe referendum, whether we’re in or out, the Government must prioritise a decision on airport expansion in London and the South East, I believe such a decision would be supported by a strong majority in the House of Commons. There’s no doubt in my mind that a final decision to build a new runway would be good for growth, good for jobs and good for British business, sending a clear message to the world that Britain is open for business.”
Mary Glindon MP said: “The decision to build a new runway is not just about London and the South East, it is a decision that is vital for all the nations and regions of the UK, including Newcastle and the North. I urge Ministers to make a final decision by the summer recess, real progress cannot begin until they do so.”
Drew Hendry MP said: ““Over 90% of overseas visitors to Scotland arrive by air with a third using Heathrow and many others using Gatwick. It is businesses across Scotland and the other nations of the UK that are paying the price for this Governments indecision.”
The EDM reads: “That this House regrets the continuing delay in making a final decision on airport expansion in London and the South East; believes that a decision is vital for the prosperity of the nations and regions of the UK and urges Ministers to make sure that this delay is not repeated; notes that the Airports Commission spent three years and millions of taxpayers' money examining the evidence in a process that has been robust and rigorous; further believes the Government should get on with making a decision on airport expansion in the South East of England as swiftly as possible; believes that every additional period of delay will cost the UK billions in lost trade and investment and damage the UK's competitiveness; and therefore urges the Government to use the coming months to make rapid progress and announce a final decision in Parliament before the summer recess.”
For the full list of signatories click here.
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