Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Conservatives split over Heathrow expansion as Zac Goldsmith poised to resign as Tory MP

Richmond MP is set to trigger a by-election and has secured backing of local Conservatives 

Benjamin Kentish
Tuesday 18 October 2016 12:32 EDT
Comments
Zac Goldsmith is the Conservatives' mayoral candidate for the London elections
Zac Goldsmith is the Conservatives' mayoral candidate for the London elections (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Zac Goldsmith, the MP for Richmond, has said he is ready to resign as a Conservative MP if Theresa May gives the go-ahead for a third runway at Heathrow.

And in a shock development his local Conservative group agreed to back him in a by-election over an official Tory candidate.

“They see it as a referendum via the ballot box on Heathrow”, an insider told the Evening Standard following a meeting of local party officials.

A fellow Conservative MP, Tania Mathias, who represents Twickenham, is also prepared to ignore the party’s rule book and actively campaign for a non-Conservative candidate.

Dr Mathias said: “Zac is doing the honourable thing by committing to his pledge and I fully support him in that.”

Mr Goldsmith, a prominent environmentalist who has long opposed expansion at Heathrow, has consistently said he would resign if his party backed a third runway.

He made opposition to Heathrow expansion a core plank of his campaign to be Mayor of London. Sadiq Khan, who defeated Mr Goldsmith in the contest, also favours expansion at Gatwick over Heathrow.

The shock move by Richmond Conservatives could cause a headache for the Prime Minister, who faces the prospect of seeing her parliamentary majority of 12 cut by one.

She will also be wary of losing the seat should the Conservatives field a candidate against Mr Goldsmith, thus potentially splitting the Tory-learning vote and handing the seat to the Liberal Democrats.

It comes as the Prime Minister told Cabinet colleagues they would be free to oppose the Government’s official position on airport expansion, suggesting it is Heathrow rather than Gatwick that will be given the go-ahead.

Both Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, and Education Secretary Justine Greening have constituencies near Heathrow flight paths and are fierce opponents of expansion at the airport.

A small group of ministers, not including Mr Johnson or Ms Greening, are expected to make a final decision on airport expansion next week.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in