Party Manifestos on Heathrow/aviation at General Election 2019

The general election is almost here. 

The likelihood of Heathrow expansion is falling. 

But who to vote for? 

Here’s what the parties are saying NATIONALLY about Heathrow expansion:

CONSERVATIVES

Published on 24 November, the Conservative manifesto said that “Parliament has voted in principle to support a third runway at Heathrow, but it is a private sector project. It is for Heathrow to demonstrate that it can meet its air quality and noise obligations, that the project can be financed and built and that the business case is realistic. The scheme will receive no new public money.” This is in stark contrast to their 2017 manifesto that referred to their party’s “programme of strategic national investments, including. the expansion of Heathrow Airport.”

Conservative Manifesto 2019, p. 28 https://assets-global.website-files.com/5da42e2cae7ebd3f8bde353c/5dda924905da587992a064ba_Conservative%202019%20Manifesto.pdf

LABOUR

The Labour Party has also indicated it won’t support the plans, stating that “any expansion of airports must pass our tests on air quality, noise pollution, climate change obligations and countrywide benefits. We will examine fiscal and regulatory options to ensure a response to the climate crisis in a way that is fair to consumers and protects the economy.” Labour state that Heathrow cannot meet any of these tests. This was confirmed by the shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald when the vote went to Parliament in 2018.

Labour Party Manifesto 2019, p.21https://labour.org.uk/manifesto-2019/ and

https://labour.org.uk/press/labour-four-tests-heathrow-expansion-not-met/

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

The Liberal Democrat manifesto also published last week, said that the party would be “opposing any expansion of Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted and any new airport in the Thames Estuary, and introducing a zero-carbon fuels blending requirement for domestic flights.”

https://www.libdems.org.uk/plan

SNP

The Scottish National Party, who published their Westminster manifesto on 27 November, called for better rail connectivity between Scotland and London and stated that “aviation emissions should be counted within national emissions and targets. Aviation emissions in Scotland count towards our carbon reduction targets and the same approach should be taken across the UK.” The party abstained in the Parliamentary vote on Heathrow expansion and Nicola Sturgeon announced earlier this year that the Scottish Government are currently reviewing its policy on Heathrow expansion in light of their declaration to achieve net zero emissions by 2045. SNP Manifesto 2019, pp. 30 – 31 https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/www.snp.org/uploads/2019/11/11_22e-SNP-Manifesto-2019-for-download.pdf and https://inews.co.uk/news/scotland/heathrow-third-runway-scottish-government-may-abandon-support-540065

PLAID CYMRU

Plaid Cymru are opposing Heathrow expansion, citing the costs of the project as a key reason, stating that they “oppose the construction of a third runway at Heathrow. Although Heathrow has put a £14bn figure on its expansion costs, others say the true figure will be nearer £30bn.” 

https://www.partyof.wales/full_manifesto

GREEN PARTY

The Green Party has long opposed the expansion of Heathrow and other airports. Their manifesto says they will “ban advertising for flights and introduce a Frequent Flyer Levy to reduce the impact of the 15% of people who take 70% of flights. This Frequent Flyer Levy only applies to people who take more than one (return) flight a year, discouraging excessive flying. Stop the building of new runways.”

Green Party Manifesto 2019, p. 17 https://www.greenparty.org.uk/assets/files/Elections/Green%20Party%20Manifesto%202019.pdf

DUP

Westminster 2019 Manifesto not yet published but infrastructure comment issued on 26 Nov 2019 did not mention Heathrow expansion

https://www.mydup.com/news/article/parties-must-outline-priorities-for-infrastructure

BREXIT PARTY

The Brexit Party made no reference to Heathrow or any other aviation policies in its manifesto 

https://www.thebrexitparty.org/contract/#top

Most candidates in constituencies around Heathrow are against expansion, regardless of their party manifesto nationally.

If you’d like to check with us in relation to your constituency, please get in touch.