In his latest refusal to stand against pollution in London, Mayor Sadiq Khan rejected an offer by Zack Polanski AM to join together and urge the national government to reject any future efforts to expand the city’s airports.
Pointing to the Mayor’s power over the Airport National Policy Statement (ANPS), Zack pushed the Mayor to explain his previous support for suspending the ANPS with his present refusal to take any meaningful action to actually do so. [1] While Stansted Airport lies outside the boundaries GLA remit, Heathrow Airport and London City Airport both fall under the Mayor’s purview. [2]
Zack’s questions come after numerous questions over the Mayor’s puzzling support for United Airlines, an American company that sponsored both London Pride 2023 as well as round trip business class flights for the Mayor’s trip to New York City. [3]
Following his exchange with the Mayor, Green Party London Assembly Member Zack Polanski said:
“Bigger and bigger airports will never be compatible with a net zero target. Ever.
“The Mayor has a real chance to step up and stop any further airport expansion across London, yet when given any opportunity to do so, all we get is more dithering, blame games, and petty partsianship.
“It’s time to put action to his words: If London’s Mayor is serious about building a city that is safe and healthy for all Londoners, there is simply no excuse for not joining me in urging the national government to reject further plans for airport expansion.”
Zack Polanski AM’s full exchange with the Mayor can be viewed here.