Proposal receives the backing of just ten British MEPs
MEPs have failed to back a bid in the European Parliament to ban night flights. Only 54 MEPs from across Europe supported the proposal to halt night flights at European airports. It received the backing of just ten British MEPs (1).
The proposal was launched by Green MEP Caroline Lucas in London earlier this year. Together with four European colleagues, she sponsored a Written Declaration calling for a Europe-wide ban in night flights. If a majority of MEPs sign a Written Declaration, the proposal becomes the opinion of the Parliament.
The only London MEPs to sign the Written Declaration were:
- Robert Evans (Labour)
- Sarah Ludford (London’s only Liberal Democrat)
- Jean Lambert (London’s sole Green MEP).
The London MEPs who did not back a ban on night flights were:
- Claude Moraes, and Mary Honeyball (Labour);
- Ian Twinn, Charles Tannock, Theresea Villiers, Richard Balfe and John Bowis (Conservative).
The only South East MEPs to sign were:
- Caroline Lucas (the region’s only Green MEP)
- Chris Hulne (Liberal Democrat)
The South East MEPs who did not back a ban were:
- Deva Nirj; James Ellis; Daniel Hannan; Roy Perry; and James Provan (all Conservative)
- Peter Skinner and Mark Watts (Labour)
- Emma Nicolson (Lib Dem)
- Nigel Farage (UKIP)
The majority of the Conservatives took the view that night flights were the responsibility of national governments, not the European Parliament. But John Bowis stressed that while, as the former MP for Battersea he appreciated the distress night flights caused, he believed that it would be operationally difficult to go for a complete ban. Richard Balfe refused even to consider the issue because he felt the Declaration was an election stunt by the Green Party.
Caroline Lucas said, “MEPs have come up with a number of different excuses for not signing. But to say, as a number of Conservatives have, that night flights are not an EU issue is simply not correct. The treaty which established the European Community states that the Council of Ministers may lay down rules that apply to international transport to or from a member state. The EU has also published a Noise Directive.”
John Stewart, Chair HACAN ClearSkies, said, “MEPs from all over Europe have received hundreds of letters urging them to support a ban on night flights. They have been forced to think about the problem. Night flights are now being talked about in the corridors of power across Europe. We intend to build on that.”
Notes for Editors
- The full list of British MEPs who signed the Written Declaration: Caroline Lucas, Green (South East); Jean Lambert, Green (London); Robert Evans, Labour (London); Sarah Ludford, Lib Dem (London); Chris Huhne, Lib Dem (South East); Andrew Duff, Lib Dem (Eastern); Eurig Wyn., Plaid (Wales); Jill Evans, Plaid (Wales); Neil MacCormick, SNP (Scotland); and Ian Hudgton, SNP (Scotland).
For further information contact John Stewart on 0207 737 6641.