Local MP John McDonnell invites Ruth Kelly MP, Secretary of State for Transport, to meet with local residents

Please see below for the text of the letter.

Dear Ruth

I am writing to formally invite you to visit my constituency to meet with local residents who will be directly affected by the expansion of Heathrow Airport, many of whom will lose their homes and whole communities. This meeting would include local councillors and Hillingdon members of Parliament.

As you will be aware concerns have been expressed that no minister has visited the area most affected by the proposed 3rd runway and 6th terminal to meet local residents. This has caused considerable anxiety locally.

I received the attached letter from your office informing me that you were attending an event hosted by the private sector body London First at Heathrow this week. You will appreciate I am sure the concerns that local people have that the Secretary of State is able to attend an event convened by a private sector body whilst no minister has found the time to meet with local residents whose homes and communities are at risk.

I am sure that you would wish to render my constituents the same courtesy that you have proffered the private sector bodies like London First that are associated with the aviation industry.

I would welcome a prompt and positive response to this request and can assure you that arrangements for your visit and meeting with local residents would be put in place expeditiously once we have received confirmation from your office.

Yours sincerely

John McDonnell MP
Member of Parliament for Hayes & Harlington

Friends of the Earth praise local MP John McDonnell for stance on climate

John McDonnell MP has been praised by Friends of the Earth for backing calls to beef up the Climate Change Bill, currently being debated in Parliament.

Mr McDonnell has joined over 180 MPs who have signed a parliamentary petition (Early Day Motion 736) calling for the Bill to include carbon dioxide emissions from international aviation and set a tougher 80 per cent target for cutting carbon dioxide by 2050.

The Climate Change Bill, due to become law by summer, will set binding targets for cutting carbon dioxide. But there is growing pressure on the Government to strengthen the proposals. Campaigners, scientists, an influential UN report and now MPs are warning that the Bill must be tougher if it is to successfully tackle climate change. Top of the list of improvements needed are toughening up the overall target to an 80 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2050; and making sure emissions from international flights are included in the Bill.

As currently drafted, the Bill requires a 60 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2050, a figure it is widely accepted is based on out of date science. The Bill also excludes international aviation emissions – a fast growing source of climate changing gases – which could seriously undermine the new climate law.

Tony Juniper, Friends of the Earth director:

“We are delighted that Mr McDonnell MP is supporting calls for a tougher Climate Change Bill. The Bill needs targets that are in line with the latest science, and it must count all of our carbon emissions, not just some bits. Aviation has to be treated like every other industry and its emissions must be in the new legislation from the start. It is ludicrous for one industry to be ignored and held apart. Having a climate law that doesn’t include our share of international aviation emissions is like having a drink driving law that ignores the effects of whisky.”

John McDonnell MP said:

"My own constituents have told me they’re worried about climate change and the Climate Change Bill is a bold and innovative move to address those worries. However, we must ensure the Bill reflects the latest science and listens to the advice of the UN to include carbon emissions from all sectors. We must reduce our emissions by at least 80% by 2050 and include international aviation and shipping if we are to show strong international leadership, giving the people of Hayes and Harlington, and people across the world, the chance of a sustainable future".

Local MP John McDonnell announces a Month of Action against the Third Runway

Local MP John McDonnell has launched a month of action to mobilise the local community in a campaign against the Third Runway during the last stage of the Government’s consultation, which ends in February. The month includes further rounds of local public meetings, briefings by John for local residents associations, street stalls in shopping areas and demonstrations in both Hayes and Parliament Square. In addition, John is requesting local religious groups to appeal for prayers and support for those families in the Heathrow Villages who will lose their homes and communities if the Heathrow expansion is allowed to go ahead.

Local MP John McDonnell said “This month of action is a month to save our communities. I am urging local people to stand up for the communities that will be lost if the Third Runway goes ahead and to support in solidarity those members of our community who face the loss of their homes, their schools, churches and communities. I appeal to everyone to work together to prevent this disaster for our local area”.

Please see below for a schedule of events.

Campaign against the Third Runway
Month of Action culminating in Final Weekend of Action

John McDonnell MP

1. Public Meetings and Local Residents Association Meetings in Hayes

Crane Residents Association Meeting, Crane Centre, Fuller Way, Hayes - 31st January

Harlington School, Pinkwell Avenue, Hayes – 5th February at 8pm

Bell Farm Christian Centre, South Road, West Drayton – 15th February at 7.30pm

Botwell Social Hall, Botwell Lane, Hayes – 21st February 8pm

2. Street Stalls in Hayes Town and Shopping Parades

Each Saturday in February

9th

16th

23rd

3. Demonstrations/Soap Box Weekend of Action 23rd February

Villages

Hayes Town

4. Religious Groups

Final Friday and Sunday – leaflet and prayers on last weekend before end of consultation for Mosques, Gurdwara and Churches

5. Hacan Rally

Central Hall 25th February

6. Parliament Square

Families Protest 27th February.

7. Mailshot of Guidance on Response Form to all Villagers