Rachel Reeves objected to airport expansion in her patch
RACHEL Reeves previously fought an airport expansion in her own patch – even though she is about to overrule Ed Miliband by expanding Heathrow.
The Chancellor objected to plans for a £150 million new terminal at Leeds Bradford Airport in 2020 saying the proposals “would significantly increase air and noise pollution”.
The Leeds MP said it would: “Undermine vital efforts to ensure that Leeds upholds its commitment to become a carbon neutral city by 2030.”
But the Tories accused her of telling the public “do as I say not as I do”.
Since becoming Chancellor she has made it her mission to stop Nimbys blocking major projects in a bid to grow the economy.
And is expected to approve a third runway at Heathrow despite objections from Net Zero Secretary Miliband.
Kevin Hollinrake, Shadow Levelling Up Secretary, said: “This is a classic case of do as I say not as I do from Rachel Reeves.
“Lecturing the country about growth after she’s trash talked the economy to the brink of recession, but unmasked as a Nimby in her own constituency, a blocker not a builder.”
A Treasury spokesperson said: “As the Chancellor has remarked on several occasions last week: This government will look at each case at its own merits, with the government having already signed off two airport expansion plans at Stansted and at City Airport.”