So, now we know: it’s Heathrow. After three years, numerous representations, a ton of lobbying and much political handwringing, Sir Howard Davies’s Airports Commission has recommended building a third runway at Heathrow Airport. In his report released today (pdf here), Davies says it would create 70,000 jobs by 2050, bring in £157 billion in economic growth and connect Britain to 40 new destinations. This is no small recommendation and it will have significant political consequences across Westminster. Here are five key groups who will be affected by Davies’ recommendation.
1. Boris Johnson
Along with Zac Goldsmith, Boris has been one of the most ardent campaigners against expanding Heathrow. He has spent his whole mayoralty fighting against it and will undoubtedly use his new sway as the MP for Uxbridge and an attendee at political cabinet to continue arguing against it. This morning, Johnson reiterated that a third runway is ‘undeliverable and isn’t going to happen’ and described the proposal as ‘something you’d see in 1950s China’.
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