Forum Topic

Did the Hounslow Labour Party clarify their position on Heathrow?

I see that the Conservatives intended asking Labour what their latest position was regarding the potential Heathrow expansion at last nights Borough Council meeting but cannot see what the response was anywherePerhaps Cllrs Todd or Lambert could kindly let us know?

Paul Fisher ● 3614d10 Comments

I agree with the sentiment that LBH should join the 2M group and not just sit on the fence. Opposing expansion is not the same as opposing the existing airport. Amrit Mann actually has opposition to the R3 on his Hounslow profile and wrote a letter to the Evening Standard last year re-affirming his opposition. However I am inclined to wonder about Liz Kendall fan Steve Curran. Consider the following: Steve supported Liz Kendall for the Labour leadership. Liz is an ardent Blairite and open supporter of R3.  Tony Blair is close to the Qataris, as revealed by Hillary Clinton's email revelations. The Qataris part-own Heathrow and have said British people have too many freedoms to oppose such development. The Qataris treat foreign workers in their country in a most unsocialist manner. In political fairness, I ought to point out that Cameron's creation of the Airports Commission was a blatant break of his 'no ifs, no buts promise'.

Ian Speed ● 3612d

It's playing to the lowest common denominator. Play the Pied Piper, promise jobs and a utopia and prey on the newest and most desperate people to follow.  No mention they are low paid and low career jobs, but hey1 it's votes.Unfortunately, it's a tactic Labour use again and again simply to win votes from minorities and because it's easy pickings.It would not be so bad if they were more honest and sincere about it.What is needed are long term quality jobs and careers.  They are not really coming to local people.Why can they not put the well being and prospects of prosperity for local people which includes the right to quality of life?  This seems to be something that Hounslow can't comprehend.In spite of the scaremongering Heathrow won't close. But it may well evolve into a commerce hub airport.

Raymond Havelock ● 3612d

I seem to recall that  the MP for Feltham is in favour of a third runway as it creates more jobs, allegedly. But I may be wrong!

Steve Taylor ● 3612d

I personally found Cllr Manns response to our second question  a tad worrying. Our so called relationship with Heathrow wants clarifying.There is one or perhaps more labour Cllrs in favour of another runway. None of my colleagues are.I'm not certain about the MP for Feltham.I think LBH should have overtly joined in the protest and put its name on the leaflet like other committed boroughsJohn

John Todd ● 3613d

Might be worth mentioning that the Airports Commission yesterday published a large quantity of noise contour maps that had supported their work :https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/airports-commission-final-report-noiseAt the bottom of the list they have sneaked out maps of the assumed indicative flightpath routes in a much more detailed form than the tiny diagrams they have previously published :https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/455286/airports-commission-compendium-of-results-part-F-02.pdfhttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/455287/airports-commission-compendium-of-results-part-F-03.pdfEnjoy !

Tim Henderson ● 3613d

It should be obvious that Hounslow is caught between a toilet and a vomitorium.They have a huge amount of residents whose livelihoods are airport connected.As usual they are putting votes before common sense and the well being of all affected. Any councillor or officer with a link or vested interest to LHR should be declaring it. Are they?  I know two who most certainly have not.The stance should be far tougher and clearer and that would make Heathrow realise that they have to be genuinely pro active rather than hide behind  mischievious propoganda and hollow propoganda.But the borough extends along the Flightpath corridor and thus a far greater number of residents (including those who are allied to LHR ) are affected by both the noise and pollution caused by a busy airport.But the jobs and opportunities constantly claimed by Heathrow need to be fully clarified by the operators and their allies.Over the last 25 years, Skilled jobs and airline jobs have vastly diminished.The vast majority of BA crew do not live in the borough.None of Heathrows directors live near the flight paths, revealed on TV this week.Most of the highly skilled and career jobs are now in the provinces, like Cardiff.All that is left is service jobs, cleaning, catering and retail. and low skill and pretty boring occupations that suit new arrivals to the UK and those with lower skills and qualifications.The fact that many of these jobs are now filled by younger people with degrees shows just how poor real career opportunities are in this area and the  myths that are spun about the benefits of Heathrow.It is a great airport and will always be an important airport, but it is outmoded, in the wrong area both ecologically and geographically.It is not Schiphol which was able to expand using reclaimed wetlands. It is splat in a burgeoning conurbation.As has been seen recently, one tiny jet with a small amount of fuel can cause catastrophe in an accident in a light urban area.It is a miracle and a credit to the highly skilled professionals that after 60 years, a heavy airliner has not come to grief over West London and only once over West Middlesex, but increasing the range and intensity whilst also overdeveloping the ground below is simply increasing the odds for a catastrophe of huge magnitude waiting to happen.

Raymond Havelock ● 3613d

Many thanks TimI suppose the response is both and good news

Paul Fisher ● 3613d

Original Topic was "Heathrow"------------------------------------------------------------Topic: Re:So what did Amrit Mann say? Forum Home Posted by: Peter Thompson Date/Time: 16/09/15 10:38:00The good news from last night was that the Labour administration stated that they remain opposed to a third runway. In my supplementary question I asked why Hounslow wasn’t part of the Coalition Against Heathrow Expansion – which is supported by MPs such as Ruth Cadbury, Zac Goldsmith, Boris Johnson, John McDonnell along with Wandsworth, Hillingdon, Richmond, Kingston and Windsor and Maidenhead Councils and various pressure groups like HACAN, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and whether the Council has backed off actively opposing expansion.Cllr Mann, Cabinet Member for Environment, replied that because Hounslow has to work with Heathrow to mitigate the impact of the airport they had decided not to support this group.Personally I find this stance disappointing to say the least.  When I lead the Council between 2006 and 2010 we spoke to Heathrow and still managed to vigorously oppose expansion – public meetings, forming the 2M group along with Hillingdon and Wandsworth, funding research, lobbying government and political parties, planting an apple orchard on the site of Heathrow's proposed third runway with Grrenpeace etc etc.  All this was done with the support of all political groups on the Council and was led by Barbara Reid on our side and Ruth Cadbury for the Labour Party. Cllr Peter Thompson

Tim Henderson ● 3613d

Hi TimCan you please point me in the right direction as I cannot seem to find the response?Thanks

Paul Fisher ● 3613d

See the response in the Heathrow thread on ChiswickW4.com !!(Has the webcast of Council meetings now stopped ?)

Tim Henderson ● 3613d