Empty chair as Prime Minister ducks debate on Heathrow

Press Release

Empty chair as Prime Minister ducks debate on Heathrow
21-1-2009 036

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, today criticised Gordon Brown for failing to accept his challenge of a public debate on plans for a third runway at Heathrow. The Prime Minister is yet to engage in a public debate over Heathrow and there has been no parliamentary vote on expansion, despite the enormous impact that it will have on thousands of Londoners.

The Mayor offered the Prime Minister the opportunity to make his case at tonight’s event in Hayes, close to Heathrow, but his place will be left empty after a response from Number 10 failed to materialise. The Mayor will be joined at what is expected to be a lively full-house ‘People’s Question Time’ event by politicians, campaigners, and business representatives from all sides of the debate.

The Mayor said: “It of course comes as no surprise that the Prime Minister has ducked the challenge of debating the expansion of Heathrow among the people who will be directly affected by it.

“Clearly deep down he must know that the case against the runway, and the opposition to it, is overwhelming. But he nevertheless proceeds with it seemingly hell-bent on proving that he is a can-do Prime Minister, even if what he is doing is as environmentally calamitous as this.”

At the event, The Mayor will argue the case against the expansion alongside Zac Goldsmith, former editor of The Ecologist Magazine and Conservative parliamentary candidate; and Cllr Ray Puddifoot, leader of Hillingdon Council.

The case for the expansion will be put by Lord Soley, Labour Peer and former MP for Hammersmith; and Frank Wingate, Chief Executive of West London Business.

The Mayor will also confirm that his representatives have now met with the 2M group, an alliance of local authorities concerned at the environmental impact of Heathrow expansion, to discuss a possible legal challenge.
ENDS

Notes to Editors

The debate: People’s Question Time – Have Your Say On Heathrow Expansion will be held this evening at the Beck Theatre, Hayes, UB3 2UE. Event runs from 7pm-8.30pm, doors open 6pm.
People’s Question Time is a free public event, People's Question Time is part of an on-going programme of consultation with Londoners.
The full allocation of 600 tickets has now been reached. There is a first come first served system for any returns on the door.
This is the first issue based People’s Question Time event. During the election campaign, the Mayor promised to listen to Londoners on matters of concern to them. He also pledged to increase accountability by tripling the number of opportunities that people have to hold his administration to account by holding six meetings a year.
This is the second People's Question Time meeting since the new Mayor and Assembly were elected in May 2008.
Further information can be found on the Greater London Authority website at: www.london.gov.uk
A video of the Mayor speaking after the debate is available