Friends of the Earth applauds star MPs ..
and condemns others
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A debate in the House of Commons was called in by the Conservatives on 28th Jan 2009. The motion called on the
government to abandon its plans to expand Heathrow. The motion was lost by the narrow margin of 19 votes. See our
press release below.
West London Friends of the Earth has applauded Labour MPs who took at stand on Heathrow expansion. But it has condemned others who supported Gordon Brown and Geoff Hoon.
Nic Ferriday, aviation campaigner for West London Friends of the Earth said: “We were naturally disappointed that the vote was lost, but the narrowness of the margin showed how little support the government has on Heathrow.
We applaud Andrew Slaughter for not only voting against Heathrow expansion, but resigning his government post in protest. Virendra Sharma is to be congratulated for doing the same. We thank all the other MPs in all parties who voted against Heathrow expansion and for the people of West London.” [See list of MPs below]
However, Friends of the Earth is highly critical of some other Labour MPs.
Nic Ferriday continued: “The action of West London MPs who voted for expansion and those who stayed away to avoid the glare of publicity was shameful. [See list of MPs below]. But at least they never pretended to be on our side and never said they wanted to protect health, homes, communities and quality of life.
But the performance of Ann Keen was contemptible Having come out publicly and strongly against Heathrow, she has now betrayed her constituents and the people of West London. As a health minister, her indifference to more air pollution, which already kills a thousand Londoners a year, is reprehensible.
Alan Keen is no better. His excuse – he wouldn’t vote for the motion because it was put by the Conservatives – is as fatuous as it is dangerous. If MPs were to all vote on things not because of the merits of the case but on the basis of who brought the motion, it would be end of democracy as we know it.
There will be general election soon and we urge voters to show what they think of MPs who supported Heathrow expansion.”
Note on MPs
The following West London FOE area MPs voted against Heathrow expansion:
Labour: John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington); Virendra Sharma (Ealing Southall); Andrew Slaughter
(Ealing Acton & Shepherd's Bush). Conservative: Greg Hands (H'smith & Fulham); Nick Hurd (Ruislip Northwood);
John Randall (Uxbridge). LibDem: Vince Cable (Twickenham); Ed Davey (Kingston & Surbiton); Susan Kramer
(Richmond Pk); Sarah Teather (Brent E).
The following West London MPs voted for Heathrow expansion (against the motion):
Labour: Dawn Butler (Brent S); Barry Gardiner (Brent N); Alan Keen (Feltham & Heston); Ann Keen
(Brentford & Isleworth); Tony McNulty (Harrow E); Gareth Thomas (Harrow W).
Links
Back to Heathrow introduction
Back to Aviation introduction
Jan 09