Steven Swinford, Deputy Political Editor
The Telegraph | 2016-07-22
Britain should push ahead with airport expansion in the South East to show the world that it is "open for business", a Cabinet minister who has campaigned for a third runway at Heathrow has said.
Liam Fox, the new Trade Secretary, told The Telegraph that that after the European Union referendum Britain is facing a "very competitive economic climate" and cannot afford to "put off big decisions on infrastructure".
The decision over airport expansion is likely to be one of the most controversial of Mrs May's early premiership and has the potential to open significant splits in her new Cabinet.
The decision on whether to build a new runway at Heathrow or Gatwick, which is expected in September, comes after more than 15 years of delays by both Labour and Conservative governments.
Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, and Justine Greening the Education Secretary, have both warned that they will fight any decision to build a third runway. Mrs May herself also opposed expanding Heathrow while the Conservatives were in opposition and Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, has also criticised the plans in the past.
By contrast Dr Fox last year organised a letter from more than 30 Tory MPs urging David Cameron to "push ahead" with plans for a third runway at Heathrow.
He said "We can build infrastructure capacity which is itself a springboard to improved international trade performance, like airport expansion. We are in a very competitive economic climate and we can't put off big decisions for infrastructure."
Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, has said he wants to "move rapidly" with a decision on Heathrow in order to provide "certainty" to businesses. A decision is expected when MPs return from recess in September.
What a mess!