NEWS

09 January 2009 by Zac Goldsmith

Letter to R&T Times: Keep Runway Alternation

Sir,

When protestors climbed aboard the roof of Parliament to protest against the government’s plans to expand Heathrow, Gordon Brown told MPs; "The message should go out today very clearly that decisions in this country should be made in the chamber of this House and not on the roof of this House. It is a very important message that should be sent out to those people who are protesting." How does the Prime Minister reconcile that message with his disgraceful refusal to give MPs a chance to vote on the very same issue?

I’m thrilled that the Conservative Party has categorically ruled out any further expansion of Heathrow. Conservative Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers has warned companies considering working on the proposed third runway to think “very carefully” before signing contracts.” The project, she has said, will not get a green light if the Conservatives win the next election, and companies need to be aware that investments now will be wasted.

However, a more immediate threat for Richmond residents is the potential loss of Runway Alternation and the introduction of Mixed Mode. Again, the National Conservative Party has categorically pledged to protect Runway Alternation and to prevent Mixed Mode.

But these are nevertheless changes that the government and BAA can introduce much more immediately, and it is therefore imperative that we do all we can to support those organisations, like HACAN (http://www.hacan.org.uk/) and the Richmond Heathrow Campaign (http://www.richmondheathrowcampaign.org/), who are campaigning against the government’s plans.


Yours sincerely,

Zac Goldsmith
Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Richmond Park and North Kingston