Charles Clarke, the former Home Secretary and still a leading force within the Labour Party, has come out against runway expansion. Writing in today’s Guardian (1) he says: “We must escape the straitjacket of past policy dilemmas. It is no good building more runways just as air passenger numbers are falling.” In his article Clarke argues that, unless Labour adapts its policies to the changing world, including the challenge faced by climate change, it will lose the next General Election.
John Stewart, the Chair of HACAN, which opposes the building of a third runway at Heathrow, said, “Charles Clarke’s remarks reveal once again the division within the Government over its aggressive policy of airport expansion.”
At the start of the year BAA was only given the go-ahead to draw up detailed plans for a third runway at Heathrow after a heated debate within the Cabinet. And, in a recent debate in the House of Commons, the Government only narrowly avoided defeat of its plans for Heathrow.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
(1). The article appears in the Guardian 20th March 2009.
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John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650