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A potential split at the top of the Conservative party has emerged over expansion of Heathrow.
Foreign secretary Philip Hammond and London mayor Boris Johnson have reportedly told constituents they will strongly oppose the building of a third runway at the airport – one of three options being considered by the Airports Commission.
They are among a batch of Tories of cabinet or equivalent rank who are expected to rebel against the official party line, which is that no decision on whether to expand Heathrow or Gatwick will be made until the commission gives his final verdict next summer.
The Observer said it has been told that Hammond, the MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, made clear the attitude he would take during the election campaign to a third runway at Heathrow when he spoke at a public meeting recently in Egham, in his Surrey constituency.
“When asked what his opinion was, the foreign secretary said he was against a third runway and there was a huge round of applause,” said a source who was at the meeting. Those attending voiced their anger about the extra noise and harm to the environment, and concerns about recent trials of new flight paths into Heathrow.
Johnson – who was recently selected as Tory parliamentary candidate for the west London seat of Uxbridge and West Ruislip – also said he would have no qualms about voicing vehement opposition to Heathrow expansion during the election campaign, whatever the official party position might be.
The mayor told the newspaper: “I am wholly opposed to Heathrow expansion, as I have been throughout my six years as mayor. A third runway would be catastrophic for London and Londoners.” Johnson said he remained in favour of a new, four-runway airport in the Thames estuary.
Government insiders and aviation experts now believe that the extent of opposition to the Heathrow option from politicians of all parties may tilt the advantage in favour of expanding Gatwick, which would have less environmental impact.
Senior Liberal Democrats, including business secretary Vince Cable, who is MP for Twickenham, are also against the expansion of Heathrow, as are several Labour MPs with west London constituencies.