Heathrow vote sparks Commons revolt
The Government’s majority has been slashed to 19 as Labour MPs rebelled over a third runway at Heathrow.
A second ministerial aide quit to fight the proposed expansion of the airport and 28 Labour MPs backed a joint Conservative/Liberal Democrat motion in the first Commons vote on the issue, which was defeated by 297 votes to 278.
The debate was an embarrassment for Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon, who had to listen to a string of angry protests from his own benches.
Among the rebels was Virendra Sharma, who quit as parliamentary private secretary to immigration minister Phil Woolas in protest at the pollution Heathrow expansion would inflict on his Ealing Southall constituency in west London.
Earlier in the day, another Labour MP from west London, Andrew Slaughter, resigned as a PPS in the Foreign Office to fight the runway plans.
Several former ministers – including former environment minister Michael Meacher and ex-transport minister Chris Mullin – spoke out against the scheme.
The vote – which was not binding on the Government – was forced by the two opposition parties after Mr Hoon gave the green light to the third runway earlier this month without putting the question to the Commons.
Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said: “The Government have had their majority seriously squeezed today.
“While it is disappointing for opponents of Heathrow expansion that our motion was not carried tonight our commitment to stopping a third runway remains absolute.
“Today the Government was forced to allow MPs a vote and heard from their own backbenchers the devastating impact their reckless plans will have on the environment.”
Leading Labour critic John McDonnell, who was suspended for five days after grabbing the mace in protest at Mr Hoon’s go-ahead for the runway, said his constituents regarded the announcement on a third runway as “devastating” and warned local people would not allow their communities to be bulldozed out of the way for it.
Some 132 MPs – including almost 50 Labour – have signed an early-day motion protesting against the expansion of Heathrow.
© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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