Stephen Crabb: I’d give go-ahead for third runway at Heathrow Airport

An early go-ahead for a third runway at Heathrow was pledged today by Tory leadership contender Stephen Crabb.

In an interview with the Evening Standard, he said permission for expansion of Britain’s premier airport would give London’s economy a vital post-Brexit boost.

“The truth is that if we are going to turn the challenge of Brexit into a huge opportunity for our country, then we are going to have to become far more outward facing and globally oriented,” said the Work and Pensions Secretary.

“I’m a strong supporter of a third runway. I know that is very controversial with many people in west London, but I just really feel that this really vital project is long overdue. London is in competition with cities all around the globe. I won’t shy away from an early decision.”

Mr Crabb, 43, is the youngest contender among candidates vying to succeed David Cameron and, like Theresa May, campaigned for Remain in the EU referendum.

However, he rejected the demands of thousands of people who marched through central London at the weekend calling for a rethink of the Brexit vote.

“It’s lovely to see people engaging in social activism, but... the result is the result,” he said. “It would be a huge breach of trust with the electorate if politicians were seen to walk away from the outcome.” Instead, he said everyone should unite to make it work: “What we now need is a massive national effort to make this work and turn the massive challenges of Brexit into an opportunity.”

He said a key lesson to be drawn from the referendum was of the existence of “deep-seated divisions” between richer and poorer communities, young and old.