Anti-Heathrow protest led by All London Mayor candidates

Every major candidate for the Mayor of London campaigned today against Heathrow expansion.

In a huge rally in central London, all the candidates repeated their opposition to a new runway at Heathrow.

The politicians led a huge crowd to campaign about the unacceptable noise and air pollution that a third runway would inflict on London.

The turnout on a cold day when many huge sporting events were taking place in London was probably the largest ever showing the increasing opposition to Heathrow.

Politicians speaking included the four main candidates for Mayor of London:

Zac Goldsmith, Conservative
Sadiq Khan, Labour
Caroline Pidgeon, Lib Dem
Sian Berry, Green Party

Zac Goldsmith said on twitter:

Massive turnout at the no 3rd runway demonstration. Clear message to government no ifs, no buts #no3rdrunway

People are dying from air “poisoned” by the aviation industry, which has “consistently lied” about expanding Heathrow airport, the shadow chancellor has said.

John McDonnell, shadow Chancellor:

“In my constituency at the moment, people are literally dying. They’re dying because the air has already been poisoned by the aviation industry.

“They’ve promised us after every inquiry, no further expansion. They are liars. They have consistently lied to us. They now tell us if they get a third runway, there’ll be no increase in noise and no increase in pollution. They’re liars. They lie every time to us.”

The Labour MP, whose constituency contains Heathrow, said it would be “down to people power” to prevent the airport’s expansion if it is backed by parliament and court appeals against the decision fail.

People gathered outside the Palace of Westminster chanted:

“No ifs, no buts, no third runway”, in reference to Cameron’s comments in 2009, when he said: “The third runway at Heathrow is not going ahead, no ifs, no buts.