Third Runway Plans Gets Go-ahead

Yesterday Parliament voted on the issue of whether to go ahead with the building of a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

The Government won the decision to agree with their proposals.

While 50 Labour MPs had previously threatened to rebel only 28 of them followed through with the courage of their convictions. There were also two resignations from unpaid government posts as the plans were forced through.

Local Labour MP, Martin Salter, opposed his leadership, backing up comments he has made in the constituency and finally taking a firm stance on the issue now that the overwhelming state of local opposition has been made clear to him.

Jane Griffiths (or SalterWatch as she is sometimes known) also provides a link to the official publications recording the MP for Reading West's actions. Here is his contribution to the debate.

Elsewhere the BBC reports on the associated developments relating to the expansion of Heathrow.

Oranjepan asks:
with a general election looming on the horizon, was Salter's valiant (if futile) rebellion more a matter of pandering to popular sentiment in a strategic constituency for his party, or will he continue to represent his constituents and speak out against the plans as the proposals continue their passage through Parliament?

Update: Mark Reckons cynical electioneering played a big part in deciding the outcome.

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In depth coverage of the controversial plans to expand Heathrow can be found here (see sidebar).