Hillingdon Labour says Uxbridge and Ruislip residents have been let down by their MPs

Boris Johnson and Nick Hurd have let down their constituents by not turning up to vote on the crucial vote on Heathrow expansion, says Hillingdon Labour Group.

The two Conservative MPs who represent Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency and Ruislip Northwood and Pinner were both absent from yesterday’s vote on Heathrow expansion, despite the official position of Hillingdon Conservatives to be opposed to expansion.

Whilst it appears that Mr Johnson was able to offer a convenient reason why he was not able to attend the vote, there has been no excuse or reason provided by Nick Hurd.

The two Conservative MPs had previously added their support to the position of Hayes and Harlington MP John McDonnell to strongly oppose any move to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport. Unfortunately for residents in the middle and north of the Borough, it was only Labour’s John McDonnell that turned up and also gave a speech reaffirming his opposition.

Speaking after the vote which was lost on 415 in favour and 119 against, Heathrow Villages Councillor Peter Money said:

“When the Government controls the Parliamentary agenda, and also Boris’ diary, it is unreasonable to argue any other position except that the Government have deliberately gone out of their way to give Boris a way to escape his responsibility and duty to the residents of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

 “What has happened is that the residents of Uxbridge and South Ruislip – and Ruislip Northwood and Pinner – were unrepresented in the House of Commons last night.

“It is clear that both MPs care more about their personal political careers than the residents that they claim to represent. We will work with both Uxbridge Labour and Ruislip Northwood and Pinner Labour to fight to deliver their local residents an MP that will actually stand up for their interests.”