Conservatives vow to push ahead with Heathrow third runway as Burnham stays open-minded
Conservative figures said a future government would do everything possible to deliver a third runway at Heathrow, while Labour leader Andy Burnham said he remains open to the airport’s expansion.
During the Conservative conference in Birmingham, shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith announced plans to introduce sweeping reforms aimed at accelerating large-scale infrastructure, specifically pledging to back a third runway at Heathrow. He argued that current delays hinder the country’s competitiveness and that a future Conservative administration would take any measures needed to complete the project. Labour leader Andy Burnham, in an interview, described Heathrow’s expansion as a matter for London and its residents, emphasizing the importance of consulting local opinions before deciding.
At one outlet fringe event in Liverpool, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said Burnham has an "open mind" and intends to hear from communities most affected. Heathrow’s chief executive Thomas Woldbye said the airline welcomes the emerging consensus among politicians to move the runway forward. Meanwhile, Chancellor John Healey reiterated that the economic case for the expansion remains strong.
Why it matters
Heathrow’s third runway could reshape UK transport capacity and influence national economic growth.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage frames the story as a broad deregulation push aimed at rolling back environmental agencies and reviving the party’s economic standing, while right-leaning coverage highlights the commitment to the Heathrow third runway and the promise of cheaper homes through deregulation.
LEFT
Frames the Conservative conference as a platform for sweeping deregulation, including abolishing Natural England and the Environment Agency, portrayed as a bid to revive the party’s economy and counter anti-growth forces.
RIGHT
Frames the conference as a commitment to accelerate infrastructure, especially the Heathrow third runway, and to slash costs for consumers and homebuyers through deregulation.
The left emphasises
- Abolishing Natural England and the Environment Agency
- Scrapping the Future Homes Standard and replacing requirements with a levy on developers
- Positioning deregulation as a way to revive the party’s economic standing and counter anti-growth forces
The right emphasises
- Backing a third runway at Heathrow to boost competitiveness
- Promising to cut £50,000 from the price of new homes by removing the ‘polluter pays’ fee
- Describing deregulation as a means to slash red tape and rejuvenate the City of London
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