Heathrow expansion is set to go ahead after Labour – despite opposing it on environmental grounds – announced it would give its MPs a free vote on the highly contentious issue. Andy McDonald, the shadow transport secretary, said the party’s support for a third runway was dependent on four tests being met, but claimed the government’s blueprint falls short. While major unions back Heathrow expansion the party is divided on the issue with John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, being a long-standing opponent of the plans, due to his constituency being under the flightpath. Labour has now called on all parties to offer their MPs a free vote on the expansion when the divisive plans are voted on in the Commons on Monday. “Labour has always argued that airport expansions must meet our four tests,” Mr McDonald said. “After careful and rigorous consideration, we are clear that they have not been met.” He continued: “Heathrow expansion is incompatible with our environmental and climate change obligations and cannot be achieved without unacceptable impacts on local residents. “The improved connectivity to the regions of the UK cannot be guaranteed and there are unanswered questions on the costs to the public purse and the deliverability of the project. “We support vital investment in our country’s transport infrastructure, but every investment must be tested on whether it provides real value for money and sustainability. A third runway at Heathrow fails this test.” Theresa May’s Cabinet approved the expansion of Heathrow earlier this month after years of delays and the prime minister is hoping to push the legislation through despite opposition from some senior Conservatives. Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, has also long been a critic of expansion and once promised protestors he would “lie down with you in front of those bulldozers and stop the building, stop the construction of that third runway.” He is now expected to be conveniently overseas when the clash takes place next week after being granted permission to miss the crucial vote. 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The celebration marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting, called Ramadan. PA UK news in pictures 12 May 2021 A couple have wedding photos taken in Westminster, London Getty UK news in pictures 11 May 2021 The sun rises on Coquet Island, off Amble on the Northumberland coast, where as many as 35000 seabirds cram onto this tiny island to breed PA UK news in pictures 10 May 2021 Newly elected for a second term Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during his signing in ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on London’s Southbank PA UK news in pictures 9 May 2021 People mill around St. Michael's tower on top of Glastonbury Tor as it is seen through blooming yellow rapeseed on a day of mixed weather in Glastonbury, Somerset PA UK news in pictures 8 May 2021 Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford elbow bumps newly elected MS Labour candidates Elizabeth Buffy Williams, Rhondda, left, and Sarah Murphy, Bridgend & Porthcawl Labour, right, as they meet in Porthcawl, Wales PA UK news in pictures 6 May 2021 A group of five Sisters from Carmelite Monastery in Dysart cast their vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election at Dysart Community Hall, West Port, Dysart PA UK news in pictures 5 May 2021 Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer (centre) with West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Liam Byrne (far right) and Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner (far left) during a visit to Birmingham, whilst on the election campaign trail PA UK news in pictures 4 May 2021 Artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey stand within 100 oak saplings which form part of a living art installation entitled Beuys' Acorns by the UK-based artist duo, outside the Tate Modern in London PA UK news in pictures 3 May 2021 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie feeds the Gentoo penguins during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 6 PA UK news in pictures 2 May 2021 Chelsea players celebrate their fourth goal during the Women’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, at Kingsmeadow Stadium in south west London.<doc-sep>Gain a global perspective on the US and go beyond with curated news and analysis from 600 journalists in 50+ countries covering politics, business, innovation, trends and more.<doc-sep>Critics of the project argue it does not offer value for money, as taxpayers will have to foot the bill for billions of pounds of road and rail improvements, and will do little to benefit other parts of England.<doc-sep>
On Monday evening MPs will vote on whether or not Heathrow airport should have a third runway. It is a deeply factious issue and, not unexpectedly, the divisions are complex. Conservatives – mainly for The Tories have imposed a three-line whip – the highest level of party discipline – to ensure the party’s MPs back the transport secretary, Chris Grayling. The vast majority will, but with a few high-profile exceptions. Justine Greening, the former education secretary, and Zac Goldsmith both have west London constituencies and are avowed opponents of the scheme. Goldsmith famously resigned from his Richmond Park seat in 2016 in protest at the plan, then lost in the subsequent byelection to the Liberal Democrats and had to wait until the 2017 general election to return to parliament. The biggest controversy circles, as ever, around Boris Johnson. The foreign secretary represents Uxbridge, right in the airport’s flight path, and once vowed to “lie down … in front of the bulldozers” if necessary. However, while Greg Hands resigned last week as a trade minister to vote against the government, Johnson has stayed silent, and is expected to be abroad at the time of the vote, thus avoiding difficult decisions – something which has enraged some of his fellow Tory MPs. Labour – a mix The party’s official policy is to oppose the expansion and, indeed, when it was in the news last year it was heavily trailed that it would do so. However, while many Labour MPs are against the plan, there is another factor at play: Unite. The union represents more than 34,000 workers at the airport. Its head, Len McCluskey, has written to all Labour MPs urging them to back the expansion plans. The result is that party whips are offering its MPs a free vote, and anything from around 40 to nearer 100 are expected to back the government. This could see a series of shadow cabinet members going against Jeremy Corbyn. Those tipped to do so include Angela Rayner, Nick Brown, Barry Gardiner, Dawn Butler and Ian Lavery. Scottish National party – was for, now against The SNP government in Scotland has been supportive of the Heathrow plan, arguing that it would benefit the Scottish economy. As such, the party’s 35 representatives in Westminster were expected to back the move. However, it is widely reported that the SNP is cooling on the idea, officially over doubts about the merits of the expansion, though possibly also to avoid the symbolism of voting with the government. Liberal Democrats – against The party’s 12 MPs are expected to line up firmly against the plan, not least as the Twickenham constituency of their leader, Vince Cable, is directly in the airport’s flight path. Other parties Democratic Unionist MPs are connected to the government through the informal coalition, and support the expansion plan anyway. Plaid Cymru have backed a bigger Heathrow in the past, on the condition that rail links to Wales are improved. The sole Green MP, Caroline Lucas, has been one of the most vehement critics of the scheme, calling it a huge environmental step back.