Zac Goldsmith: I will quit as MP if Government approves third runway at Heathrow
‘Whatever the Government decides, this project is not going to happen’, insists failed London mayoral candidate
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Your support makes all the difference.Zac Goldsmith has reiterated that he will quit his role as a Conservative MP if the Government gives the green light to a third runway at Heathrow.
There is mounting speculation the Government is set to back a third runway in the coming weeks, ending years of rowing about airport expansion.
Mr Goldsmith, the MP for Richmond, has been one of the leading figures against Heathrow expansion.
The former London mayoral candidate confirmed that he would stand down if Heathrow expansion was approved – but said the project faced “huge question marks” about its delivery.
Speaking on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4, Mr Goldsmith said: “My position is the same as it was nine years ago.
“I promised my constituents before I was ever elected in 2010 that I would trigger a by-election were the Government to give a green light to Heathrow expansion. My position has never changed.
“I’m committed to my constituents, I’m committed to fighting this campaign and I’m committed to winning this campaign – and I have every confidence that will happen.”
Mr Goldsmith added: “There are huge question marks about whether a third runway could even be delivered, irrespective of the Government’s decision in the next week, two weeks, three weeks or so.
“The legal risks are immense. You’ve got the councils under the flight path lining up with big cheque books waiting to challenge these proposals.
“There are huge planning risks, there are financial risks.
“Heathrow is massively over-leveraged already, there is no prospect of being able to raise the finance necessary to deliver this project without turning to the taxpayer.
“Whatever the Government decides, this project is not going to happen. In five years’ time, 10 years’ time, we’ll still be arguing about it.”
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