Zac Goldsmith has said Heathrow’s third runway would already be under construction if he had not been elected to Parliament in 2010.
Mr Goldsmith last night said supporters of an expanded Heathrow would “consider it a win” if his decision to quit the Tory Party over the issue, triggering a by-election next Thursday in his Richmond Park constituency, backfired.
At the last all-party hustings before the vote, the former London mayoral candidate — who is standing as an independent — admitted he had his “work cut out” to recapture the seat.
His Liberal Democrat challenger Sarah Olney is also committed to blocking a third runway and hopes to capitalise on the constituency’s 70 per cent Remain vote in the EU referendum. Mr Goldsmith had backed Leave. He trumpeted his years opposing Heathrow expansion, adding: “Had I not been elected in 2010, the spades would already be in the ground for this third runway.”
Mrs Olney said: “It is disappointing our MP for six years has not been more effective persuading the Government not to proceed with the third runway — but we must continue the fight.”
Mr Goldsmith was accused by Labour candidate Christian Wolmar of wasting public money by triggering the poll “because of your failure to influence your own party about Heathrow”.
