Lib Dems refuse to budge on airport expansion
The Lib Dems have gone against the advice of their leader Nick Clegg by voting not to consider changing their policy on airport expansion.
Although the party will not budge over expansion at Heathrow, its leadership had hoped to persuade members to support a possible compromise at Gatwick.
But an amendment to the party’s pre-manifesto document was blocked at the Lib Dem conference in Glasgow this week.
Clegg warned the vote could burden the party with a commitment it would be unable to deliver on after the next election, like its pledge to scrap university tuition fees in the last election.
The decision was a blow to Gatwick Airport, which has sponsored the Lib Dem conference app and has provided free internet access to delegates.
Darren Caplan, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, said the trade body was also ‘naturally disappointed’.
"Aviation is crucial to UK plc, supporting 1 million jobs, £50 billion in GDP and £8 billion in Treasury revenues, and the party’s position fails to realise the economic and connectivity benefits a growing aviation sector can deliver for UK plc, nor the enormous strides the industry is taking to deal with its carbon and noise impacts.
"We continue to urge the Airports Commission to stick to its timetable, report soon after the General Election next year, and for the political parties to act on its recommendations, when published."
GTMC chief executive Paul Wait said the LIb Dems opposition to airport expansion in the southeast was ‘disappointing’.
"As the voice of the business traveller we are committed to supporting the recommendations of the Davies Commission and urge the UK Government to support increased airport capacity in the South East. As an island nation business travel is essential to our future growth and prosperity," he said.
"The time for dragging our heels on airport capacity is over. The UK cannot afford yet more delay and uncertainty on this critical issue. Any further procrastination will only see more business travellers choosing to use non-UK airports and the UK economy will lose out.
"As the political parties now prepare for next year’s election we encourage them all to recognise the importance of aviation to our economy and commit to backing airport expansion."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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