David Miliband: We need third runway at Heathrow

Labour leadership frontrunner David Miliband today resurrected the idea of a third runway at Heathrow.

He believes that it could boost London's economy and businesses, sources close to him insisted, and it should go ahead as long as the climate change consequences are addressed. His leadership rival and brother Ed opposes the runway.

He has repeatedly said that Labour's Heathrow policy was an example of how the party had misjudged the public.

But business groups and trade unions have long lobbied for more aviation capacity for the south east, claiming it boosts jobs and overall trade.

Baroness Jo Valentine, Chief Executive of business group London First praised Mr Miliband. She said: "At last a politician prepared to publicly acknowledge the vital importance of international transport links to London and UK's economic success, though the critical question is not whether to make Heathrow bigger but how to make it better."

But Greenpeace transport campaigner, Vicky Wyatt, said: "The third runway, like the Iraq war, is one of the iconic failed policies of Labour's 13 years in power – a good solid example of where they lost the argument and lost peoples' trust.

"David Miliband's decision to offer his continued support to Heathrow expansion makes no sense politically, economically and environmentally, and will no doubt damage his support amongst Londoners."