Swinney should launch new term by ending support for Heathrow expansion

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today called on John Swinney to launch the new parliamentary term by ending the SNP government’s support for expanding Heathrow Airport, as he stated that the expansion is incompatible with tackling the climate emergency.

In October 2016, former Economy Secretary Keith Brown signalled the SNP government’s support for the building of a third runway by signing a memorandum of understanding with Heathrow Airport. Heathrow subsequently hosted receptions at SNP conference.  

On 27th October 2021, SNP MSPs voted against a Scottish Liberal Democrat motion calling for the Scottish Government to “withdraw from its written agreement with Heathrow Airport to support the building of a third runway.”

In July of this year, the SNP Government published their Aviation Statement and Key priorities, which completely dodged the question of the government’s longstanding contract with Heathrow supporting the airport’s expansion.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“It’s been clear for some time now that expanding Heathrow is simply not compatible with Scotland’s climate change commitments.

“The SNP’s declaration of a climate emergency rings utterly hollow for as long as they help pave the way for more flights from an airport that is already the UK’s biggest polluter. This expansion alone would produce more emissions than some small countries.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats are clear that we should be focussing on cheaper, better and faster rail services instead, and spreading the benefits of international connections to regional airports rather than centralising yet more of our economy in the South East.

“John Swinney should launch this new parliamentary term by ripping up the Heathrow deal and finally putting some muscle behind Scotland’s pledge to tackle the climate emergency after years of missed targets and opportunities.”