An influential alliance of businesses and trade unions has warned David Cameron not to bow to threats of a Conservative cabinet revolt over the approval of a third runway at London’s Heathrow airport.
The cabinet is due to make a decision on a third runway this week and senior figures with a constituency interest are urging Cameron not to implement the recommendation of the Airports Commission supporting a third runway.
Related: Heathrow third runway won't make pollution worse, MPs told
However, the British Chambers of Commerce, London First, the Federation of Small Business, the TUC and, for the first time, the Labour-affiliated union Unite, wrote on Sunday to warn Cameron against pandering to defiant cabinet members. It is the biggest alliance yet calling for the government to end further delays.
The decision is causing tensions inside both the Conservative and Labour parties, and could prompt resignations from the cabinet and – in the case of bitter disputes amongst London Labour MPs – become the next flashpoint for revolt against Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. The involvement of the Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey, underlines the complex cross-currents.
The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, is a passionate and longstanding opponent of a third runway at Heathrow, and he has the personal support of Corbyn, who is largely opposed on environmental grounds.
McDonnell, as the MP for Hayes and Harlington, has a strong constituency interest, as does Justine Greening, the Twickenham MP and international development secretary. Greening has not ruled out resigning from the cabinet over the issue.
Zac Goldsmith, the MP for Richmond Park and Conservative candidate for London mayor, is so opposed to expansion he that has threatened to resign and spark a byelection in his constituency.
Last week an environmental audit select committee said the case set out by the government appointed Airports Commission had not been made on environmental grounds.
The political quagmire – and proximity to next May’s mayoral elections – is piling pressure on Cameron to try to defer a decision at least until after London votes for a new mayor. But the Airports Commission decided in July, after a three-year examination, that there was a clear case for expansion.
In the letter to Cameron, organised by Let Britain Fly, the group of business lobbyists and unions write: “We all believe airport expansion in order to improve both our international and domestic connectivity is an issue of national importance that is fundamental to securing long-term economic growth and decent jobs in all the nations and regions of the UK.
“Having excellent air connectivity is vital to the success of British businesses and for the UK economy – it promotes trade and inward investment, enhances productivity and supports high-skilled quality employment and directly susindustrial sectors of strategic national importance.
“Research for the Airports Commission found that a new third runway at Heathrow could deliver up to £211bn in economic growth and up to 180,000 new jobs nationwide. The airport itself has committed to double the number of apprenticeships to 10,000.”
The letter goes on: “Both British business and trade unions were pivotal to delivering previous major infrastructure projects such as Heathrow Terminal 5 and the London 2012 Olympic Games. We again stand ready to work together to help the government successfully deliver this next major national infrastructure project and ensure that the economic legacy of airport expansion is secured.”
Asked by the Sunday Telegraph whether she would resign from the cabinet if Heathrow was given the green light, Greening said: “I think that’s jumping the gun and let’s wait and see what the sub-committee comes out with, but frankly I will make sure that I continue to represent my constituents’ concern on this.”
Boris Johnson, MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, who attends Cameron’s political cabinet meetings, said: “The third runway is a sham and a delusion and it will never happen.”
0 nhận xét:
Đăng nhận xét