Everyone will be aware of the current proposals by the Tory Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, for a floating airport in the Thames estuary.  Medway has faced a similar issue before, when there was a consultation about an airport at Cliffe.  Then, as now, all councillors united against it.
People are aware of the damage it would cause in terms of the environment, and for residents’ quality of life.  The necessary transport infrastructure and the huge increase in traffic would change Medway irrevocably.
Naturally I am very concerned about the plan and am convinced we must do everything in our power to prevent this gaining any momentum. The Labour Group supported the idea of preparing a case against the airport, and seeking a meeting with the Mayor to express our opposition.
However, we have serious concerns about the national Tory Party’s role in failing to condemn the proposal.  David Cameron has said that it is ‘within Boris’ rights’ to look at siting an airport in the estuary.  The Labour Group vehemently disagrees: Boris should not be able to dump his problems on Medway’s residents.  Medway Council would not be allowed to draw up plans to put a waste incinerator in Highbury, where the Mayor lives, so why should he have the right to plan something even more damaging outside of London?
As Conservative Party Leader, David Cameron must have some power over Boris, and be able to veto his ridiculous proposal.  We proposed that, as well as contacting Boris to express our opposition; we should contact the Leader of the Conservative Party to ask him to stop this proposal. The local Tories should use their influence with their national party Leader.  However, the Conservative Group failed to support this; demonstrating that their opposition is lukewarm. 
When the proposals on Cliffe were considered, all Labour councillors and MPs worked very hard to persuade the national party that it would be a disaster, and we were successful in that argument.  It is time the local Tories did the same with their national party.