that central government may already have been persuaded of the wisdom of expanding the country's main hub, particularly as the political headwinds have now swung around to its advantage.

E

xpanding Heathrow, it was assumed, would damage the fortunes of Conservative MPs in several marginal

constituencies near Heathrow. It would also tarnish Zac Goldsmith's campaign to succeed Boris Johnson as mayor of London in May 2016. But, with the

opposition Labour party suddenly in such disarray,

it may feel that it can now push ahead with

Heathrow expansion, as proof of its commitment to growth-boosting infrastructure projects, without the the collateral damage in those Tory seats that would be directly affected.

There is plenty of time for more twists. Earlier today, MPs on the environmental audit committee released a report suggesting that the government shouldCapturing their second-straight national championship last season, the Alabama Crimson Tide earned the No. 1 spot in the 2013 preseason USA Today Coaches’ Top 25 poll released Thursday, while the Florida Gators – ranked 10th in the final 2012 poll – maintained their spot and checked in at No. 10 to start the season.

It is Florida’s highest preseason ranking through USA Today – and first time opening the season in the top 10 of the rankings – since 2010 (No. 3).

Alabama received 58 of 62 possible first-place votes with Ohio State (3), Oregon, Stanford and Georgia rounding out the top five.

Six total Southeastern Conference teams were ranked by the coaches this preseason – five in the top 10 – including Texas A&M (No. 6), South Carolina (No. 7)