Sir Keir Starmer dodges Heathrow expansion query amid Labour's internal rift on airport growth

Sir Keir Starmer has declined to comment on whether he would support the expansion of Heathrow Airport, having voted against a third runway in 2018.

The Prime Minister refused to "comment on speculation" regarding the issue, but emphasised that the government is "committed to growth," as reported by City AM.

This comes in light of reports suggesting that ministers may be about to approve major expansion plans at three London airports, according to Bloomberg.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly ready to announce her support for additional runways at Heathrow and Gatwick, as well as a bid by London Luton to significantly increase capacity.

This has allegedly caused division within Labour. During Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons today, Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay questioned Sir Keir about his previous opposition to Heathrow’s expansion due to the climate emergency.

Ramsay stated: "Expanding London’s airports and building a third runway at Heathrow would be incredibly irresponsible in the midst of a climate emergency, flying in the face of the Climate Change Committee’s advice"

He further asked: "The Prime Minister clearly knows this because he and seven cabinet colleagues voted against a third runway at Heathrow in 2018. So can he confirm what his position is now?"

In February 2020, Starmer shared an article about the third runway at Heathrow being ruled illegal due to climate change, with the comment: "Congratulations to the climate campaigners."

"There is no more important challenge than the climate emergency. That is why I voted against Heathrow expansion."

Starmer, in response to Ramsay, stated: "I’m not going to comment on speculation."

He continued by emphasising the government's commitment: "He knows that we as a government are committed to growth. We’re committed to the aviation section and to our climate obligations."

Adding a sharp retort to critics, he said, "But I’m not going to take lectures from those who talk about climate change but oppose vital renewable infrastructure in their own constituency."

Earlier at a Bloomberg event during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Reeves addressed Labour sceptics of the Heathrow expansion plans. The Chancellor clarified her stance on growth, stating any pro-growth measure "trumps other things," although she refrained from engaging in speculation about Heathrow's future, which might incite conflicts with opponents such as London mayor Sadiq Khan and energy secretary Ed Miliband.