The Conservative Party has renewed its pledge to scrap plans for a second runway at London Stansted Airport if it wins the next General Election.
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Theresa Villiers vowed that a Tory victory at the ballot boxes would bring an end to the controversial expansion plans.
She insisted that building a second runway would be “environmentally unacceptable,” dismissing arguments that it might give an economic boost to the region.
Ms Villiers made her comments after meeting with local party members and representatives from the Stop Stansted Expansion pressure group in Molehill Green.
Outlining her party’s stance, she is quoted by The Herts and Essex Observer as saying: “[I am] more convinced than ever that a second Stansted runway was environmentally unacceptable and could not be justified on economic grounds.”
Her party has also steadfastly opposed plans for third runway at London Heathrow, again arguing that it conflicts with the UK’s commitment to combat global warming.
The next General Election is due to be held by June 2010. According to the latest BPIX poll for the Mail on Sunday, Labour currently trail the Tories by a whopping 22 points.
