PRESSURE is mounting on the Government to review plans for airport expansion after it lost a vote in the House of Commons yesterday (Tuesday).
MPs voted 247-203 in favour of a 10 Minute Rule Bill introduced by Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park Susan Kramer calling for Parliament to have the final say on plans for new runways.
Although the bill cannot become law the scale of the defeat has given renewed hope to campaigners fighting Heathrow's third runway.
Ahead of the vote a cross-party group of MPs gathered outside Parliament to highlight the undemocratic way the Government has been acting over the issue.
Hayes and Harlington MP John McDonnell (Lab) even got his hands on the ceremonial mace once more - although this time it was merely a replica aimed at making a point to Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
John Stewart, chairman of HACAN which represents residents under the Heathrow flight paths, said: "The Ten Minute Rule Bill will not become law but this vote is yet another blow for a Government already on the ropes over its plans for new runways."
