This stiflingly dragged-out argument has been lingering around the halls of Parliament like one of your dad’s old inside jokes for almost as long as I have been on this Earth. I am sixteen years young, but the Heathrow expansion debate? A bristling, un-glamorous thirteen years. In 2003, when the proposals were first backed by the then Labour Government of Tony Blair, I could barely spell ‘plane’. (I think I much preferred ‘car’ – it only has three letters). But my point is that I have been growing up with this issue flickering back and forth like a candle essentially my whole life – lit, unlit, then lit again – and now I am in a position where I can start work, and face the prospect of living in a post-Brexit Britain, it is with whole-hearted optimism, that from my perspective, the Heathrow plans are the future of trade post-Brexit.
The future
Theresa Mayhas turned the candle into a lamp: it burns longer, brighter, so it can be seen further, from across the globe, not just the European Union. Figures provided by the UK Civil Aviation Authority state that the number of movement changes between 2014 and 2015 has increased by 2.7% at Heathrow Airport. Let’s be absolutely clear on this: this country needs trade, regardless of whether people and Politicians are thinly hopeful to retain access to the single market after Brexit, trade is essential. Movement is essential; it is a fundamental aspect of our economy. I believe everybody can agree to this, without dispute. A farmer feeding his chickens needs them to get fatter, bigger, expand; grow so enormous so that the farmer can sell and earn more, but more importantly: the consumer at home enjoys their product more.
This, again, is likened to the Heathrow expansion project, as it only logical to assume that with a larger space for foreign sources and trades to land upon, the greater gain for the country. But more importantly: the consumer at home enjoys their product more.
More jobs, more income is gloriously welcomed by people across the world, not just Britain, is it not?
Heathrow Airport announced it would cut 200 jobs – that’s a whole 20% of its essential employees – in 2014 (source: airportwatch). Currently, Heathrow employs around 76,000 people. Cuts mean loss, but expansion provides promise, with a possibility of up to 77,000 more jobs (source: gov.uk), giving some ex-staff back what was rightfully taken from them two years ago – the opportunity to work for the world’s sixth busiest international airport, Heathrow.
Furthermore, the job prospects are greater than the total number working at Heathrow Airport today! Sound like a no-brainer, job-wise, doesn’t it? And as my focus being from a young person’s perspective, a further 5,000 new apprenticeships are expected (source: gov.uk). This is wonderful news in a country where University fees are atrociously high, and academic expectations are bigger than Donald Trump’s ego, this Heathrow expansion plan provides optimism, and alternatives to be instilled in young people living in the South East.
We are a connected world; nobody can deny that. And we’re set to become ever more connected through the internet, through travel, through trade. The formula to become intertwined and enriched in global trade is here.
Unfortunately, and I don’t take this lightly, it will cost some people’s homes, which is unfair. However, change has always existed, and change equates to the future. And if the whole economy, the whole country can benefit post-Brexit, then surely the Heathrow expansions plans are a solid, secure idea? I would believe so, for my future, for the future of Britain.
