A pre-election debate for Hayes & Harlington saw candidates passionately unite against a third runway at Heathrow but battle it out on housing and immigration issues.
John McDonnell, candidate for Labour and previous MP, referring to his suspension from parliament, said “the mace is looking tempting” in order to fight against Heathrow expansion at Westminster.
The comments were made at a hustings at St Anselm's Church, in Hayes, on Tuesday (April 28).
Mr McDonnell pointed out that no candidates were trying to take advantage from the issue and he would take direct action if necessary.
He said: “We can't have this hanging over people's heads any more as it's destroying lives. A minimum of eight people per year die in this area as a result of air pollution. If a third runway goes ahead, we will have a large number of people choking to death.
Mrs Thomas, who is facing the threat of losing her home, asked: “How can you support the Heathrow villages in opposing the expansion if you will be in opposition to your party leaders?”
She also pointed out UKIP were the only party with anti-expansion in their manifesto.
Cliff Dixon, candidate for UKIP, said: “I've got a lot of respect for John McDonnell for the way he's fought for the runway, but the problem is, I don't trust his party."
Mr Dixon was a member of the Heathrow Airport committee and revealed the CEO of Heathrow hadn't thought about the houses that would be demolished.
He added: “How can you go ahead with a project like that when you've not thought about the housing, infrastructure, pollution and devastation to the villages which are centuries old with families and communities going back 200 years.”
Conservative and Green Party also stood against the third runway.
Alick Munro, Green candidate and GP pointed out the health risks and says less flights are needed immediately.
He said: “I see people with runny noses, itchy eyes, and coughs several times a day from people near Heathrow, some of these people also suffer from insomnia because of the noise pollution.”
'Multicultural community'
Pearl Lewis, Conservative candidate, wants to ensure all arguments are based on facts and not the propaganda campaigns from Heathrow.
She said: “We've all seen how they've plastered Westminster tube station with all their posters and that's no coincidence they've chosen that tube station.
“It's the biggest threat to our community and I would fight tooth and nail to oppose it.”
The seat remained empty for Liberal Democrat candidate Satnam Khalsa and it was unclear why she was unable to attend the debate, according to a party spokesman.
Housing was the most popular issue arising from submissions from the audience. Residents could fill forms to pose questions on the night.
Chair David Brough spoke about affordable rent, as defined by Boris Johnson, and how young single people can be helped.
Labour and Green party were in agreement of increasing average tenancy lengths but the Conservative candidate disagreed with their submissions.
Ms Lewis said: “Introducing rent caps will mean landlords won't want to invest in property so I can't see how that will help.”
Mr Dixon said: “We've had the biggest increase of people to the borough which is driving the prices up. It's housing associations from central London moving people to Hillingdon, displacing people that were here already.”
He later made a comment on murdered schoolgirl Alice Gross that silenced the room, but praised the immigrants of the 1970s.
“The immigration system is discriminatory to people from outside the EU as anybody can walk in from inside the EU" he said. "Last year, Alice Gross from Hanwell, was killed by a migrant who was a murderer in his own country.”
Mr McDonnell raised the spirits in the room once again with a speech that was met by cheers.
He said: “We're a multicultural migrant community and always have been. We live in harmony and peace and I’m so proud. Every community that has come to Hayes has made a contribution and put something back into the community.”
The debate was organised by Hillingdon Interfaith network where subject matters ranged from the economy to trident, independent businesses and young voters.
For an overview of Hayes & Harlington constituency click here.
