8th Dec 2008

Stansted Airport Protest

Flights were halted at Stansted Airport today after members of protest group Plane Stupid broke through the perimeter fence and occupied the runway.

Leading Greens in Eastern Region said this morning that in the circumstances, peaceful direct action against more airport runways is justified and that many more protests such as that taking place at Stansted today are likely if the Government continues with current policies.

Cllr. Dr. Rupert Read, Prospective Green MEP for Eastern Region said

"Some businesses and individuals have suffered inconvenience due to having their flights disrupted this morning. But this was a brief, peaceful protest aimed at making a very strong statement against the expansion of Stansted Airport, an expansion which huge numbers of people in this region do not want.

The local authority in Uttlesford has courageously tried to prevent Stansted's expansion, as have many other local authorities; the local group Stop Stansted Expansion have campaigned for years, but the Government are riding roughshod over all of them. The entirely peaceful protesters on the runway this morning are therefore having to make a stand to say No to a second runway at Stansted - and raising awareness of the double standards of the Government allowing another surge in greenhouse gas emissions whilst simultaneously bragging about their climate change policies. The Green Party has always supported peaceful direct action as a last resort and will continue to do so where it is justified - which in this case it is."

Cllr. James Abbott, Co-ordinator of Essex Green Party and a campaigner against Stansted expansion for 25 years said

"It is always unfortunate when protests result in disruption, but someone has to take a stand against the Government's bone-headed insistence that airports must keep on expanding apparently without limit. More runways at Stansted and Heathrow will lead to thousands of homes being bulldozed, huge areas of countryside being ripped up and a surge in UK greenhouse gas emissions. People in communities near the airports will be subjected to even more jet noise than they already suffer, which is bad enough during the day but also disturbs sleep.

It is highly likely that there will be a lot more peaceful direct action unless the Government changes it airports policy. The Government has shown time and again that it will manipulate the planning system to get its own way - and now intends making it even more difficult for communities by the passing of the Planning Act. It's clear where the Labour Government's priorities are - siding with big business. If the Government persists with airport expansion it will set itself against local communities and demonstrate scant regard for the momentous implications of failing to act on climate change."