Forum Topic

The Tories have no "plans" for a third runway

There was a Daily Politics special yesterday and each of the parties was asked where it stood on opposing or backing a third runway at Heathrow Airport.  Simon Hughes for the Lib Dems categorically ruled out a third runway, but even when pushed by Andrew Neil, the Tories could only say they had no plans for a third runway.  They did not rule it out.  Last year, Theresa Villiers said it was still possible that there may be a third runway under the Tories.  She was slapped down by her party front bench who quickly issued a denial about any plans.

Alice Jones ● 5988d8 Comments

The tories also have "no plans" to raise VAT.  If they do not categorically say they are against something, then they are not ruling it out, but know it's a vote loser so are hedging their bets.

Anne Brown ● 5987d

Tories have always believed in putting more money in your pocket, but then put taxes on things which you buy. So you choose when and where to pay taxes.Having no plans does not mean having no intentions.

George Knox ● 5987d

None of the parties are stupid enough to tell the electorate the truth of what they'll actually do when they get in - you wouldn't vote for them. And this of course includes The Third Runway Issue.Whoever gets in, there will be U turns, wobbles, changes of heart, and "bending" of promises - guaranteed.Just expect great pain across the board for years to come. Talk about the UK populace having its head in the sand, most of them have their head up their ......

Rosco White ● 5987d

Who was the Tory on this "Daily Politics special", whatever that is?  It's a clear commitment in the Conservative manifesto:  "We will stop the third runway".

Richard Jennings ● 5987d

Where's Boris going to put the extra runway capacity his London transport strategy states is needed in the south-east, then?

Thomas Barry ● 5987d

Labour (page 15)We support a third runway at Heathrow, subject to strict conditions on environmental impact and flight numbers[no detail on what these ‘strict conditions on environmental impact and flight numbers’ are]Conservatives (page 34)We will stop the third runway Liberal Democrats (page 42)We will cancel plans for a third runway at Heathrow

Vlod Barchuk ● 5986d

My point is there is a difference between what they put in the manifesto and what was said by their environment spokesperson.  He refused to rule it out.  The furthest he would go is to say there were no plans.

Alice Jones ● 5986d

Alice, you misunderstood what Greg Clark said.  I've now listened to the programme via the BBC website (it was in the Election Debate on Monday afternoon, not the earlier Election Special). He was quite clear that Tory policy was not to have a 3rd runway at Heathrow.  His "no plans" remark was about a new runway elsewhere in the south-east.

Richard Jennings ● 5986d