Conservatives don't really oppose Stansted expansion

3.54.00pm GMT Sun 8th Feb 2009

Conservative pledges on environmental damage to mid Essex from runway building have been revealed to be wafer-thin. In the House of Commons last week, Conservative Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers MP said: "We do not rule out the possibility of airport expansion in the south-east" (see Hansard: http://is.gd/iP0B)

Chelmsford Lib Dem Stephen Robinson said, "This is yet more proof that the Conservatives cannot be trusted to protect the environment. Their so-called "pledge" against Stansted expansion may just be a device to get them through the coming election. If they win the next election, they are set to back airport expansion.

"The Liberal Democrats DO rule out airport expansion in the south-east. We need investment in a high-speed rail network, not further money wasted on the fastest-growing source of pollution."