Johnson, Goldsmith and Khan: Key opponents of Heathrow expansion
Politicians from all the major parties are against a third runway at the airport, including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.
Tuesday 25 October 2016 21:29, UK
The decision to give the go-ahead to a third runway at Heathrow will cause controversy given the strength of opposition to expansion at the west London airport.
Politicians from all the major parties are against the idea. They include:
:: Zac Goldsmith
Mr Goldsmith has resigned in protest following the Government's decision.
The Commons earlier descended into silence to listen to the Richmond Park MP attack expansion, saying: "The Government has chosen a course that is not only wrong, it is doomed."
His resignation will spark a by-election, and Mr Goldsmith is likely to run as an independent.
This poses an interesting question for the Tories: will they run a candidate and risk losing the seat either to Goldsmith or maybe even the Lib Dems?
:: Vince Cable
The former business secretary has always been opposed to Heathrow expansion and having lost his seat last year he could now possibly take advantage of the situation.
Mr Cable has told Paste BN he has not completely ruled out running against Mr Goldsmith, however this is unlikely as there is a Liberal Democrat candidate already in place.
He could of course stand in the constituency he lost - Twickenham - if Tory MP Tania Mathias was also to resign or if there was an early by-election.
:: Analysis: Now comes the hard part
:: Tania Mathias
The woman who beat Mr Cable last year also opposes Heathrow expansion. But while she has said she will "carry on fighting" against a third runway, she will remain in the Commons.
This will be a relief to the Conservatives, as fighting on two fronts in two different by-elections would have proved difficult.
:: Boris Johnson
The Foreign Secretary was a consistent and very vocal critic of Heathrow expansion as Mayor of London.
He once promised he would lay down in front of the bulldozers to stop another runaway.
And while he will be allowed to voice opposition with the suspension of Cabinet responsibility on the issue, he won't be allowed to actively campaign against it or speak out in the House of Commons.
:: Justine Greening
The Education Secretary has also been given leeway to oppose expansion.
Her Putney seat in south-west London is right under the Heathrow flight path and most of her constituents are bitterly opposed.
She will be hoping that even given Tuesday's decision that a third runaway will never get off the ground.
:: Sadiq Khan
He may be the London Mayor and he is certainly in opposition to Heathrow expansion - but Mr Khan can do little to actually stop it.
The Government's decision is not just one that affects the capital or even just the south-east - and they argue it is vital to the national interest.