Bob Spink

Independent | Castle Point

Tories 'in favour of considering' Estuary Airport

18 June 2009

Independent MP Bob Spink, who led the fight against the proposed Estuary Airport in 2003, is astounded that Conservatives now think the airport is an option they are 'in favour of considering'.

Bob says:
"Senior Tory MPs in Essex and elsewhere are openly advocating an Estuary Airport even though this was firmly rejected and remains totally off this Government’s agenda. If the Conservatives form the next Government, as I think they will, local people may find this issue back on the agenda. Local people can trust me to continue to fight it. I cannot be whipped to keep my mouth shut. I work for my community, not for a political party.”

Two Airport Parliamentary Debates this week:
1 Regional Aviation Policy Wednesday 17 June 2009

Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Ind): The economic factors must be balanced with the societal and environmental considerations. Most importantly, we must always listen carefully to local communities.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that as a measure to tackle the shortage of capacity, an Estuary Airport, in the Thames, would be a disaster on virtually every level? Despite that, it is being promoted heavily by many Conservative MPs, some from Essex and the Conservative Mayor of London?

Phil Wilson: I agree with the hon. Gentleman. We should consider existing flexibility in airport infrastructure so that we can make what we have work.

2 Airports in the South East Tuesday 16 Jun 2009
Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Ind): As always, the hon. Gentleman has started his speech graciously. He said that the Conservative party is against the new Heathrow runway and I welcome that.

What is Conservative party policy on an alternative to the third runway? Will he fight with me and others against the Estuary Airport, which a number of Tory MPs from Essex, the Mayor of London and other senior Conservatives are actively promoting? I understand that the Mayor of London has spent more than £100,000 on consultants to consider the Estuary Airport.

Adam Afriyie (Conservative): We are in favour of considering all the alternatives with an open mind, especially given that the facts have changed since the White Paper of 2003.

Bob says:
"The 2003 White Paper rejected the Estuary Airport. Clearly, Tories don’t feel bound by its conclusions. They are usually more guarded with their intentions until after elections, they seem to have let this one slip but at least local people now know who to fear on the Estuary Airport issue."