BANNING Scottish MPs from voting on the third runway at Heathrow or on Gatwick expansion would be akin to banning English MPs from voting on Trident because it’s based in Scottish waters, says a leading aviation expert.
Doug MacLean, aviation consultant with Ayrshire-based DKM Aviation Partners, told The National it would be preposterous to make airport expansion an English-only matter.
“Absolutely preposterous. It’s like saying only Scottish MPs should have the vote on Trident renewal because it’s based in Scotland. It’s absurd. Heathrow is there as a national UK asset. It’s whole structure is about being a major hub and connecting the UK to as many international routes as possible,” he said.
The expansion of either of the big London airports would, MacLean argued, have an impact on flights to and from Scotland.
“Over the years the airport has suffered because it’s extremely popular as a hub. So much so it’s had to squeeze out the less popular or profitable routes like a lot of the Scottish and English regional airports. What’s being proposed at Heathrow, and separately by Gatwick, is the ability to have access slots at the airports on a greater basis. To say it’s English only is complete nonsense.”
MacLean’s comments came as the SNP demanded clarity on whether airport expansion will be judged as an English-only matter under the new standing orders around English votes for English laws.
The Leader of the House of Commons, Chris Grayling, and MP Iain Stewart, who acts as David Mundell’s right-hand man, suggested the matter would only be voted on by English MPs.
Commenting yesterday, the SNP’s travel spokesman, Drew Hendry said Stewart and Grayling’s answer underlined the “incoherence and incompetence” of Evel.
“Expansion of airport capacity impacts on connectivity for the whole of the UK and, therefore, any vote must be an issue on which all MPs have a say. Indeed, the Scottish Government have called for guarantees to be attached to new capacity which secure minimum levels of access between Scotland and London,” Hendry said.
“That move is essential not only to help our economy and businesses connect to global markets, but will also ensure that the significant numbers of inbound business passengers and tourists travelling through London airports to Scotland continue to have that option.
Hendry continued: “The answers given by Chris Grayling and Iain Stewart underline the incoherence and incompetence of the UK government’s proposals on Evel. The expansion of airport capacity has constantly been promoted by the UK Government as a national infrastructure project – with huge ramifications on air connectivity for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the regions of England and it will have massive impact on travel, exports, growth and jobs across the four nations of these islands – not just London and the south-east of England.’’
The office of the Speaker, who will be expected to decide if this should be an English-only matter, declined to comment when approached by The National.
Airport expansion has been one of the dominant issues in London and South East politics for the last decade.
Although expanding Heathrow seems to be the most likely choice after the recommendation of the Airport Commission, Gatwick chiefs are on the attack. They recently pointed out a third runway at Heathrow would affect 320,000 people living nearby with noise pollution, compared to only 18,000 more if Gatwick was granted a second.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson would rather a new four-runway hub was built in the Thames Estuary. This week Johnson claimed Heathrow’s third runway could result in Scotland losing flights.
“The truth is that Heathrow has been failing our regions for well over a quarter of a century and quite staggeringly the Airports Commission’s own analysis shows that the construction of a third runway only worsens the situation. That is not how you rebalance the economy and spread prosperity across the UK.”
There is, of course, politics at play when it comes to airport expansion. George Osborne supports the Heathrow runway.
Tory pollsters are also worried about the effect the government backing a third runway at Heathrow could have on Tory mayoral hopeful Zac Goldsmith.
Letters to The National, October 24: Evel will prove the Union is unequal
MP may be off committee in new Evel rules
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