Boris Johnson must change his mind on Heathrow expansion – just like we did

Boris Johnson has had a busy first week, jetting off around different parts of the country.

But closer to his home seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip, people in our constituencies in west London are hoping that the new Prime Minister will change his mind and listen when it comes to one controversial issue: his opposition to Heathrow expansion.

Boris famously said that he was willing to “lie down in front of the bulldozers” to stop a new Heathrow runway. While he is unlikely to get himself muddy anytime soon, the Prime Minister could put at risk a project that will create 40,000 new local jobs and 5,000 new apprenticeships, and which is supported by most local people.

A survey from June found that in Ealing, the area near Heathrow that we represent, 69 per cent of residents are in favour of a new runway. The huge local support for this project reflects the enormous benefits that will come to the communities near the airport, and this is part of the reason why we have changed our minds and now support Heathrow expansion.

We understand the concerns. In fact, when a new Heathrow runway was mooted in 2009, we both opposed the plans – partly for environmental reasons, partly because not enough was being done to mitigate against noise, and partly because the airport wasn’t offering substantial benefits to local communities.

Since then, Heathrow has improved its proposals. As well as creating tens of thousands of new jobs, Heathrow has committed to investing in skills for the next generation of young people in our community. 

The airport has also listened to local concerns over noise by agreeing to a night-time ban on flights and guaranteeing periods of respite. Local people will also benefit from improved public transport links, including Crossrail and upgrades to the Piccadilly Line. 

Heathrow has to take the environmental concerns seriously, which is why we’re pleased that the airport is introducing higher landing costs for the most polluting aircraft and has agreed that no additional capacity will be released until it is on course to comply with EU emission limits. 

And there is an opportunity for the airport to use the expansion to further its decarbonisation agenda. Additional capacity can create more competition, incentivising airlines to grow sustainably by innovating and investing in new generation aircraft, such as electric planes which can significantly reduce carbon emissions.

We’ve changed our minds on Heathrow expansion because we can see the clear benefits to our constituents in west London, and how this project will improve their lives in the future.

As Prime Minister, we can only hope that Boris is also able to change his, not least because of how a new runway will help him achieve some of his own political priorities.

Boris has spoken of creating a “Global Britain” that will help UK businesses reach new markets; something that will be enabled when freight capacity is doubled at an expanded Heathrow. 

As the UK’s only hub airport and our gateway to the world, Heathrow is vital to Britain’s post-Brexit future – boosting exports, increasing economic growth, and delivering up to £187bn to the UK economy. 

But we can do more to make the most of this unique opportunity; most notably by reforming the process for allocating new take-off and landing slots at the new runway so that passengers can benefit from lower fares, more choice over connections, and increased competition.

The Prime Minister has had to hit the ground running, with so many domestic and foreign policy challenges to tackle.

But while he will undoubtedly want to make his mark in a host of areas, his most significant and forward-thinking intervention could be to listen to local residents, trade unions, communities, business groups, Labour MPs, and the previous government – and allow Heathrow to expand.

Main image credit: Getty