The Conservatives’ Heathrow conundrum

The Tories are facing a Heathrow problem. With Zac Goldsmith joining the race for the London mayoral nomination today, the idea of the Conservatives supporting a Heathrow expansion is becoming harder to envisage. The final recommendation from Howard Davies’ Airport Commission is due this summer and the Tories are expected to put it to a vote in the Commons. But what if Davies proposes an expansion of Heathrow — either in the form of a third runway or the Heathrow Hub? Although the Airport Commission’s new review into air quality has been interpreted as a sign that Davies is edging towards Gatwick, Heathrow is still on the cards. If the party leadership is faced with a vote on whether to back Davies and Heathrow, they risk a split with their London mayoral candidates. Aside from Sol Campbell, who hasn’t announced any policies yet, all of the declared candidates so far are anti-Heathow:

• Andrew Boff — GLA member: As with the other members of the London Assembly, Boff is against Heathrow expansion — see this tweet bemoaning that Labour and the Lib Dems failed to vote for an amendment ruling out Heathrow expansion.