Keir Starmer faces pressure from 16 ministers to maintain opposition to Heathrow’s third runway amid growing speculation of a policy shift
London: So, there’s a bit of a stir going on about Heathrow Airport. Sir Keir Starmer and 16 of his ministers are being told not to change their minds about opposing a third runway. Remember, Starmer voted against this back in 2018 when the Conservatives were pushing it through.
Some big names in the current government, like Environment Secretary Steve Reed and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband, were also against it back then. Now, though, Chancellor Rachel Reeves might be leaning towards supporting the expansion, which has raised eyebrows.
Reeves was grilled in the Commons about her stance on the runway, which could mean a huge jump in flights from 480,000 to over 700,000 a year. Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney expressed concern for her Richmond Park constituents, urging the Chancellor to clarify her position.
Reeves played it cool, saying she wouldn’t comment on rumors but emphasized the government’s commitment to economic growth. Meanwhile, Downing Street is dodging questions about a possible shift in support for the runway.
They insist any airport expansion must align with economic growth and environmental standards. Green peer Baroness Jenny Jones warned against making a foolish decision that could harm residents and the planet.
Back in 2016, 94 Labour MPs voted against the expansion, but it still got the green light. Even former London Mayor Boris Johnson, a critic of the runway, missed the vote, leading to some accusations of dodging responsibility.
As it stands, the current Labour government hasn’t received the necessary approvals to move forward with the third runway project. It’s a hot topic, and folks are watching closely to see what happens next.
