Rachel Reeves is facing accusations of hypocrisy over her stance on airport expansion this weekend, after giving her backing to Heathrow’s third runway.
The Chancellor, who is expected to support major airport expansions in an upcoming speech on growth, had objected to a £150million terminal at Leeds Bradford Airport in 2020.
At the time, she cited environmental concerns, saying the Leeds project would “significantly increase air and noise pollution” and undermine carbon neutrality efforts.
Her apparent U-turn has drawn criticism from Conservative opponents, with Shadow Levelling Up Secretary Kevin Hollinrake calling it “a classic case of do as I say not as I do”.
In her 2020 objection to the Leeds Bradford Airport expansion, Reeves emphasised local environmental commitments.
“[The proposals] would undermine vital efforts to ensure that Leeds upholds its commitment to become a carbon neutral city by 2030,” the Leeds MP stated at the time.
Rachel Reeves has made it her mission to stop “Nimbys” blocking major projects to boost economic growth
PA
Her current position marks a significant shift as Chancellor, where she has made it her mission to stop “Nimbys” blocking major projects to boost economic growth.
Reeves is now expected to endorse expansion plans not only at Heathrow but also at Gatwick and Luton Airports.
Speaking in Davos, Reeves defended her pro-growth stance against potential opposition within Labour.
She said: “This was the problem with the last government – that there was always somebody that said: ‘Oh yes, of course we want to grow the economy but we don’t like that investment’.”
The Chancellor emphasised her commitment to economic growth above other considerations.
Reeves said: “When we say that growth is the number one mission of this Government, we mean it, and that means it trumps other things.”
Rachel Reeves has faced significant opposition to plans for a third Heathrow runway
PA
The expected support for airport expansion has put Reeves at odds with senior Labour figures.
Both London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband have previously opposed Heathrow’s third runway, with Khan re-elected in 2024 on an anti-expansion platform.
Environmental groups have also voiced strong opposition to the plans.
Alethea Warrington from climate charity Possible warned that approving airport expansions would be “a catastrophic misstep.”
Jenny Bates of Friends of the Earth added: “A decision to green-light another runway at Heathrow would be hugely irresponsible in the midst of a climate emergency.”
A Treasury spokesperson responded to the controversy, stating: “As the Chancellor has remarked on several occasions last week: This Government will look at each case at its own merits.”
The spokesperson highlighted that the government had “already signed off two airport expansion plans at Stansted and at City Airport.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander faces imminent decisions on further expansion plans.
She has until February 27 to rule on Gatwick’s proposal to bring its emergency northern runway into routine use.
A decision on Luton Airport’s bid to increase its passenger numbers cap is due by April 3.
