Aviation related highlights from the Labour Party Conference, Autumn 2013 (22 Sept – 25 Sept)
Transport Hub at Conference: The Big Transport Interview with Shadow Secretary of State Maria Eagle
22 Sept 2013 – Speaking at a Labour Party fringe event, Transport Hub at conference, Labour Shadow Transport Secretary Maria Eagle said that she felt travel affordability was the main transport issue facing the country.
Discussing Labour’s policy review, the Shadow Transport Secretary said that one of the main priorities was affordability of transport fares. She added that any rise in fares should be capped at 1per cent above inflation for all routes. She went on to say that she supported devolution and putting councils and transport authorities in charge of bus routes and fares.
The top five train companies made over £300 million of profit, she highlighted, even though they were paid more money than they were charged in franchises. Talking about nationalisation, Ms Eagle said that it was a question of value for money. Labour wanted to do what works and lines should stay in public ownership where it worked well, she stated. Ms Eagle said that her speech would include references to the privatisation of rail lines. The privatisation of the East Coast Mainline should be halted and they should at least be able to bid for the future franchise, she stressed.
Business is good for Britain: How can we encourage private investment and exports?
23 Sept 2013 – Britain needs a state backed investment bank in order to maintain economic growth, Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna said today. He was speaking at a Labour Conference fringe event hosted by the British Chambers of Commerce supported by Heathrow Airport titled ‘Business is Good for Britain: How can we encourage private investment and exports?’. Also speaking at the event were: Beth Rigby, Deputy Political Editor, Financial Times; John Longworth, Director General, British Chamber of Commerce; and Nigel Milton, Director of Policy and Political Relations, Heathrow Airport.
Labour’s new transport policy – what would it mean for cities?
24 Sept 2013 – Speaking at a PTEG event entitled ‘Labour’s new transport policy – what would it mean for cities?’ Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Maria Eagle said that a Labour Government should be more ambitious on the devolution of transport. Also speaking at the event were: Ken Livingstone, former Mayor of London; Graham Stringer MP PTEG Parliamentary Group; and David Brown, Chair of PTEG.
Air tax, visas, connectivity: Does the UK have an aviation policy for growth?
25 Sept 2013 – The Airport Operators Association’s Chairman, Darren Caplan, warned a Labour Conference fringe that the UK had slipped to twelfth in Europe for air connectivity, putting jobs at risk. Mr Caplan was speaking at an event entitled ‘Air tax, visas, connectivity: Does the UK have an aviation policy for growth?’ Also speaking at the event were: Martin Tiedemann, Co-Chair, Socialist Environment and Resources Association; Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs, British Chamber of Commerce; and Brian Ross, Economic Advisor, Stop Stansted Expansion. The panel was chaired by Luke Pollars, Association of British Travel Agents and prospective parliamentary Labour candidate for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport.
Party Conference information is sourced from DeHavilland Information Services Plc.