Roy Wilkes is the author of Respect’s Pamphlet ‘Global Emergency

The government’s decision to give the go ahead to the Third runway at Heathrow confirms yet again that when push comes to shove New Labour is a government that puts the interests of big business ahead of the interests of humanity.  Heathrow Airport will become the biggest source of carbon emissions in the country, and hundreds of thousands of the world’s poorest people will die as a direct consequence of the destabilizing impact this will have on our climate. 

We welcomed the Government’s Climate Change Act last year but we also warned that setting targets is only one half of the equation, and the easiest part at that. If we are to stand any real chance of meeting those targets we also need practical action, and we need it now.  We need in particular to reduce our reliance on aviation, which is the fastest growing source of carbon emissions, while simultaneously expanding the rail – a policy which would not only help curb emissions but also produce a net gain in jobs. With today’s decision, the government has chosen to drive a nail into the coffin of its own climate change policy in order to appease big business.

The pledges on noise and air quality with which Hilary Benn has been bought off are meaningless and he knows it.  Even more shameful has been the response of so-called Climate Change minister Ed Milliband.  A few weeks ago Milliband was calling for a global mass movement to pressure governments over climate change; now he is offering to turn a blind eye when Heathrow’s emissions breach EU air quality laws, which, with a third runway, they undoubtedly will. These cowards and wimps have shown exactly which side they are on when business interests fall foul of the environment.

John McDonnell on the other hand has maintained an honourable position throughout.  Today he was suspended from the House for picking up “the mace,” (which is apparently far more heinous than polluting the air we breathe or waging illegal wars!)  He is absolutely right to condemn as a disgrace the decision of the Government to force through this shameful decision without even taking a vote in the House of Commons.  “This is about asserting the right of MPs to decide the policies of this country and not having them bulldozed through without a vote in the House of Commons,” he said. 

The fight against the third runway is far from over, however.  Greenpeace has bought a plot of land in order to frustrate the planning process.  And direct actionists such as Plane Stupid are sure to carry on their resistance.  Respect stands four square behind these activists, and we urge all sections of the labour and trade union movement to join this vital struggle.