Labour move to more sceptical Heathrow expansion stance

Labour will review its position on Heathrow expansion following the election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader. After the publication of the Davies Report in July, acting leader Harriet Harman supported the paper’s recommendations of a third runway at Heathrow airport.

David Cameron refused to make a decision at the time, pledging to come to position by the end of the year. The Conservatives are considerably split on the issue, including in the Cabinet. While Chancellor George Osborne is understood to support expansion, current London Mayor Boris Johnson and likely Tory mayoral candidate next year Zac Goldsmith are both vocal opponents of the plans.

Labour Mayor of London candidate Sadiq Khan is against Heathrow expansion, as is new Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell. Now new Shadow Transport Secretary Lilian Greenwood says that Labour are not now committed to a third runway, and the issue will be discussed.

Greenwood said:

“I want to look at all the evidence in more depth.

“We’ve got a new leadership team, I’m new to the shadow secretary of state role, and I want to look at it myself. And I want to have discussions with colleagues.

“It’s no secret that there are differences of opinion on this issue in the Labour party, as indeed there are on the Conservative benches.”

The new Shadow Transport team, which was announced in full yesterday, is made up of Lilian Greenwood MP, Jonathan Reynolds MP, Richard Burden MP, Daniel Zeichner MP, Lord (Richard) Rosser.