Chief Secretary to the Treasury Greg Hands has spoken against a third runway, voicing the concerns of people in his Chelsea and Fulham seat. But he is a loyalist and if his boss, Chancellor George Osborne, backs a bigger Heathrow, he is thought unlikely to be ready to breach collective responsibility.
Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers would face a dilemma. She was shadow transport secretary when the Tories came out against a third runway before the 2010 election, and opposed the development on air pollution and noise grounds. The Chipping Barnet MP is not known to have shifted her views, but Heathrow expansion could boost air links to Northern Ireland.
The Government is yet to make a final decision on whether to back expanding Heathrow — as strongly recommended by the Airports Commission chaired by Sir Howard Davies — or Gatwick.
Gatwick is still in the running despite indications the west London airport will be chosen. If it is Heathrow, David Cameron is likely to be accused of a U-turn from his “no ifs no buts” opposition ahead of the 2010 election.
Downing Street is believed to want at least 400 MPs to back Heathrow, to give Mr Cameron protection from criticism. With SNP support it is expected to easily reach that figure. The SNP is seeking guarantees of more and cheaper flights to Scotland.
