Recent press speculation about a promotion for local MP Justine Greening has given a potential boost to the campaign to restrict the expansion of Heathrow.

The local MP has been a vocal opponent of unfettered expansion at the airport and she has been scathing of Government plans for a third runway. It is therefore doubly significant that she has been linked with the transport portfolio. The Conservatives have yet to make a commitment to abandon the third runway so the appointment of a shadow transport spokesperson opposed to the scheme would be a strong signal they were moving in that direction. However, insiders have suggested that Ms Greening is unlikely to get the transport portfolio at this stage. The post is currently held by Teresa Villiers.

David Cameron is on record as saying that he aspires to have a third of his cabinet made up of females. With just 17 out of 196 Conservative MPs women this does make the prospects for some sort of role for Justine Greening look extremely positive. A shadow cabinet reshuffle is expected to happen in the near future.

July 17, 2008