Following The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves’ speech earlier today, which saw her officially announce the government’s support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, Member of Parliament for Windsor, Jack Rankin MP made the following statement:
“Many across the beautiful towns and villages that make up the Windsor constituency will share my deep disappointment and grave concern at the Chancellor’s announcement today that this Labour government will recklessly plough on with the third runway at Heathrow.
“Having produced a budget which failed miserably on every level to generate growth, Rachel Reeves has hit the panic button, setting in motion a devastating blight on so many communities. Heathrow expansion is a highly complex issue, which Labour conveniently omitted from their manifesto. This evidences the Chancellor's desperation to cover up the damage her jobs tax and inflation-busting public sector pay rises are doing to Britain’s economic growth.
“I have long campaigned against the third runway, which I view as a sticking plaster solution to the long-running issue of airport capacity. This is not a simple question of expansion like at Gatwick or Luton. It will inevitably cause extensive disruption to my constituents who use the M25 and M4 for daily commuting, which will likely have to be re-routed. An estimated 750 houses will be destroyed along with the Lakeside Energy from Waste power plant. This is not to mention major disruption to the surrounding villages, including Horton, Datchet, Old Windsor, Colnbrook and Poyle that I proudly represent.
“Heathrow are yet to apply for expansion. The Chancellor announced that they will come forward with plans in the summer. As part of this process, I will engage actively with groups like the No to Third Runway campaign, and do everything I can to stand up for my constituents’ interests, ensuring their voices are heard.”
