Have only lived here 4 years, and am honestly trying to approach with an open mind, yet still am just not understanding how the government "works", or how it/if gets things done.

Seems like the slogan is "why do something about a problem when you can talk about it."

Yup

To the previous Labour Government's credit they did FINALLY support a third runway (after 10 years of talking) however they were then replaced by some eco halfwits who cancelled it, and now realising how stupid that has made them look around the world have decided to launch the 11th aviation consultation since the second world war.

why build new runways when you can have a consultation about building them instead :)

Oh also quite a lot of the government's cabinet at the moment represent wealthy London suburbs so respect the views of 100,000 or so Nimby West Londoners over the views of the rest of country which is suffering high unemployment

Wonder how much it would cost to buy all the houses in Sipson?

I am not sure if the rest of the county wil benefit from a new runway at LHR. Thats why I support the regional airports from having a bigger expansion.

Hoever, I agree with the Goldmsith and group of people who will start a byelection if they allow a third runway.

According to this article, BAA has already bought 225 homes and only 80 long-term residents remain:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...-homes-protest

And Kwasi Kwarteng, MP for Spelthorne, who's arguing for a forth runway, never mind a third, says:

“Even if you gave every resident £500,000 it would still be cheaper than Boris Island.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/poli...-Heathrow.html

Err ... where is the actual demand, though? The boss of BHX was on Radio 4 a few weeks ago trying to push the regional airports angle. Of course, he would, wouldn't he. During the interview he said BHX had "plenty of spare capacity right now". If BHX has spare capacity, why aren't more airlines moving there? The answer is presumably a lack of demand.

So why are we talking about expanding regional airports if they aren't even close to capacity? Airlines are free to move services to regional airports, they just (apparently) don't want to.

Which brings us back to LHR...

This is very embarassing for London, it really makes them look like a laughing stock especially as Manchesters second runway opened very smoothly.

The government needs to stop trying to please the Lib Dems because nobody likes them anymore. It's about time David Cameron make one of those 'tough decisive decisions' that he goes on about all the time. Cameron has managed to play it clever with the UK's future in the EU, however other decisions he hasn't made any action. Nobody in the public cares about Liam Fox as most people have never heard of him until recently so DC doesn't need to worry there. Again the third runway continues to haunt him with some politicans calling for a fourth runway.

As for these people that live near the airport they have a big choice, either A reep rewards from the airport such as jobs but support expansion and put up with the noise. Or B allow the airport to be demolished and re-built in Kent so they can live peacefully but they a decimated West London economy. They can't have it both ways.

Why did they choose to live near an airport anyway? Oh ye it was cheap... They will have to live with the noise, it's not like there is any Concordes flying so they should be grateful. It's a shame airlines can't empty the faeces from the toilet just before they are about to land to teach them a lesson.

This sillyness has gone on long enough and the reason these unemployed hippys continue to make a fuss is because they know the government (whether it be LAB or CON) are behaving like a load of flowers and keep caving in.

For shame.

Yes, he's certainly got a track record of being decisive.

Oh, wait, sorry; he's got a track record of talking about being decisive...

This is my point as well... From what I read in the news it seems like all thse people woke up one day and found out that an airport the size of LHR sprang up next to their homes during the night...:eek:

The Conservatives are rather stuffed because of the promise made in their 2010 election manifesto.

As they were elected, at least in part, on the basis of this manifesto, a u-turn will be all the more embarrassing.

It would allow more one stop connections to the regions

Manchester Airports LTD, Newcastle Airport, Peel Airports LTD, Scottish chamber of commerce, Welsh chamber of commerce, Northern Irish chamber of commerce, and Durham Tees Valley Airport ALL support a Third runway at LHR

Exactly

BHX NEVER shuts up about regional capacity etc. Even though BHX is only at 40% capacity I have not noticed any Chinese, Indian, Brazilian and Vietnamese airlines flying there yet.

What a great idea, block extra runways at all of the major London airports (OK they never mentioned LCY :p)

its not like they have been shy of u turns in their 2 years of office

I have heard that the GOV has so far made 39 u turns coincidentally the same number as the number of Conservative MPs calling for a third and fourth runway