Aviation related highlights from the Conservative Party Conference, Autumn 2013 (29 Sept – 2 Oct)
Transport Hub at Conference: The Big Transport Interview with Transport Minister Stephen Hammond
29 Sept 2013 – Opening his remarks, Mr Hammond said that ‘it would be a disaster to scrap’ High Speed 2 (HS2). Mr Hammond argued that HS2 would not take funds away from other transport schemes, pointing to the links between Manchester and Leeds. On the challenge of balancing a drive for economic growth with environmental concerns, he stated that HS2 and the electrification of the line to Liverpool would help to create a central economic hub in the north, comprising Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.
Stephen Hammond speaking on Aviation
Mr Hammond noted that he had opposed a third runway at Heathrow as a Wimbledon MP at the last General Election. His position was that a third runway would not address the additional capacity needs of the UK, he explained, suggesting that the real question was whether to support a fourth or fifth runway.
If an increase in aviation capacity was to be delivered, cross-party support was essential, Mr Hammond said, arguing that this had been crucial in the early stages of the HS2 project, and was evident in the political make-up of the Davies Commission panel. Mr Hammond said that he suspected that the Commission’s initial report in December ‘will rule a number of ideas in’, such as the third runway at Heathrow, and ‘rule a number ideas out such as the Mayor of London’s proposed new airport development in the Outer Thames Estuary.
A representative of the Airport Operators Association said that ‘doing nothing was not an option’, and asked what the Conservatives were doing to build a consensus with the Labour Party. Replying, Mr Hammond said that the make-up of the Davies Commission was ‘more Catholic than you might expect’, with senior Labour transport figures as members. A Guardian journalist cited rumours that the DfT was prepared to ‘kick the delivery of short-term measures’ (recommended by the Davies Commission in its initial December report) ‘into the long-grass’. Mr Hammond rejected this, stating that it would be ‘absurd’ for the Department to reject proposals before it had seen them.
Conservative Conference – Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin’s speech to Conference
30 Sept 2013 – In his speech at the Conservative Party Conference Mr McLoughlin stated that transport continued to play a significant part in the UKs economic recovery. He referenced the announcement of investment in 15 transport infrastructure schemes, and noted international investment in major port projects. Mr McLoughlin affirmed his support for HS2.
Business Is Good For Britain: How can we encourage private investment and exports?
30 Sept 2013 – Conservative Leader of the House of Commons Andrew Lansley said that ‘manufacturing was increasingly a technology sector, and added that businesses in manufacturing were more likely to be in export markets than those in services’. Mr Lansley was speaking at a Conservative Party Conference fringe event hosted by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), supported by Heathrow Airport; entitled Business is Good for Britain: How can we encourage private investment and exports? alongside John Longworth, Director-General, British Chamber of Commerce (BCC); and John Holland-Kaye, Development Director, Heathrow Airport Ltd. The event was chaired by Sky News Business Presenter Joel Hills.
Solving the Aviation Conundrum: a simple and affordable plan for Heathrow
30 Sept 2013 – Greater private sector investment was needed to create a ‘boom’ in UK infrastructure, Steve Baker Conservative MP said today. Mr Baker was speaking at the event ‘Solving the Aviation Conundrum: A simple and affordable plan for Heathrow’ hosted by the Centre for Policy Studies and Runway Innovations Ltd at the Conservative Party Conference. Also speaking was: Allister Heath, City A.M. Editor; William ‘Jock’ Lowe, Director, Runway Innovations Ltd.; and Graeme Leach, Chief Economist and Director of Policy, Institute of Directors. The event was chaired by Tim Knox, Director, Centre for Policy Studies.
Air Tax, Visas, Connectivity: Does the UK have an aviation policy for growth?
1 Oct 2013 – Daniel Moylan Aviation Advisor to Mayor of London, said ‘the Heathrow expansion was a political failure and undeliverable’ He was speaking at a Conservative Party fringe event, hosted by the Transport Hub and its partners Airport Operators Association (AOA) and The Travel Association (ABTA) entitled Air Tax, Visas, Connectivity: Does the UK have an aviation policy for growth? Also speaking were: Stephen D’Alfonso, Senior Public Affairs and Research Manager, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA); and John Longworth, Director-General, British Chamber of Commerce. The event was chaired by Darren Caplan, Chief Executive, Airport Operators Association (AOA).
Party Conference information is sourced from DeHavilland Information Services Plc.