Supporter Update, April 2021
Supporter Update, April 2021
Read the interactive version of our newsletter here: https://us8.campaign-archive.com/?u=b122c7e305e20b5eedca98e1a&id=59e8235871
NEW CLIMATE LAWS TO SIGNAL DEATH KNELL OF HEATHROW EXPANSION
The Government announced on Tuesday (20 April) that it will include aviation emissions in new and stricter legally binding targets to cut emissions by 78% by 2035. We called the announcement a “bold step” and good news in our efforts to stop a third runway. It means there is yet another huge legal hurdle for Heathrow to overcome and could be the death knell of the expansion proposals.
On the same day, in a Downing Street Press Conference, Boris Johnson was asked about the future of Heathrow expansion, he offered a very non-committal answer and restated his own opposition to the plans: Heathrow…that’s a matter for the company concerned, it is a private matter. They’ve got to get it through and fund it and finance it themselves and my own views about that particular matter are well known. But that doesn’t mean that I am opposed to aviation.”
ELECTION NEWS: MAIN CANDIDATES UNITE IN OPPOSITION TO HEATHROW EXPANSION
Elections are upon us and, if you live in London, you’ll be pleased to hear that the main four candidates for London Mayor are all opposed to Heathrow expansion.
Our friends at the No 3rd Runway Coalition spoke to each of them and compiled this video of their views.
As well as the Mayor, elections to the London Assembly are also taking place. Please ask your local candidates if they are opposed to Heathrow expansion and consider asking them to join our campaign.
If you live in Ealing and Hillingdon, there is an election hustings taking place on Wednesday 28 April, hosted by Hillingdon Friends of the Earth, where candidates for the constituency will set out their views – please ask them about how they can help our fight against expansion at Heathrow!
WORLD EARTH DAY 2021
Supporters may remember we visited Harmondsworth Recreation Ground on World Earth Day in 2020. On that day, we highlighted the dozens and dozens of trees, planted by the London Borough of Hillingdon, on the site that a third runway would be located. We returned this year to see how the trees are developing. They are blossoming, they have firmly taken root and, considering the Government announcement adopting stricter climate laws that will make Heathrow expansion so much harder, if not impossible, to deliver, we think it is likely that these trees will be allowed to flourish for many years to come. Check out our video below by clicking on the image.
Stop Heathrow Expansion's Geraldine Nicholson pictured on World Earth Day 2021 at Harmondsworth Recreation Ground with some of the dozens of trees planted by Hillingdon Council on the site of the proposed 3rd runway.
FRESH LEGAL CHALLENGE LOOMS
The Good Law Project has issued a Pre-Action Protocol letter to the Government asking them to suspend and then review the Airports National Policy Statement on Heathrow expansion. They argue the plans are inconsistent with the Government’s wider approach on tackling the climate crisis. If agreement cannot be reached, then permission for a judicial review will be sought. Find out more here. We will of course keep you updated on progress.
AND FINALLY…
We just couldn't let this go under the radar. In the latest effort to jump on the bandwagon, one of the more vociferous MPs in favour of Heathrow expansion has decided societal change is required to meet the Government's new climate change targets. We can't help wondering if he understands the irony of his actions. Take a look at the piece!
It is tempting to invite you all to give us a caption for his photo, instead we are asking you to keep an eye out for the hypocrisy of all those MPs who voted for Heathrow expansion, as they all now suddenly compete to be super green! Send us anything you spot and we’ll put the best ones on our social media.
Thank you for your support,
Stop Heathrow Expansion Committee