The government are doing what all governments do when faced with a difficult decision. They are throwing out all sorts of options, most of which are unlikely to happen, such as another runway at LHR, LGW or BHX, a whole new airport at Cliffe, etc. They will then back off because of public pressure and end up with a minimum decision that will upset the fewest people - a runway at Stansted. And that will put the capacity problem on the back burner until someone else is in power.