Labour MP Emily Thornberry bails out of ANOTHER Heathrow vote

12.57.42pm GMT Thu 26th Feb 2009

Labour MP Emily Thornberry failed to turn up for yet another important vote in the House of Commons, this time on airport expansion in London.

Opposition MPs forced a Liberal Democrat motion through the House of Commons this week demanding that the Government gets approval from Parliament before building any new major airports and runways. The Government has previously refused to share the decision-making concerning airport expansion.

22 rebel Labour MPs and Tory politicians joined the Liberal Democrats to push the motion through. The motion was proposed by Susan Kramer, Lib Dem MP for Richmond. But once again, Islington South and Finsbury MP Emily Thornberry refused to turn up.

In January, Emily Thornberry refused to vote for a non-binding motion condemning the expansion of Heathrow, and received criticism for claiming that Greenpeace had become a cheerleading wing of the Conservative Party.

Emily Thornberry previously promised environmental campaigners that she was opposed to Heathrow expansion, and has posed for pictures with the Greenpeace 'Stop Heathrow Expansion Tour'. Islington Liberal Democrats have branded Ms. Thornberry a "hypocrite" for failing to live up to these promises when it actually came to voting in the House of Commons - two separate times.

Jeremy Corbyn, Labour MP for Islington North, voted against airport expansion in London on both occasions.

Councillor Greg Foxsmith, Islington Council's environment chief, who works with the 2M Group of Councils opposed to airport expansion, said:

"The Environmental movement in Islington must be getting sick of Emily Thornberry. She is happy to pose for photographs with Greenpeace, but when it comes to voting in Parliament she is suddenly nowhere to be found.

"People from across the political spectrum have worked together to stop airport expansion in London. The decision will have a direct impact on Islington in terms of noise - we're right under the flight path.

"Once again, Ms. Thornberry has proved a big disappointment. She says one thing but refuses to put it into practice when it comes to the vote. That's simply hypocrisy."

Text of motion:

Points of Order - Airport Expansion (Parliamentary Approval) - 24 Feb 2009 at 16:39

That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Planning Act 2008 to require parliamentary approval for proposals for the building of new major airports and additional runways at existing major airports; and for connected purposes.

Question put (Standing Order No. 23).

The House divided: Ayes 247, Noes 203.

Details of the vote can be seen online at:

http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2009-02-24&number=38