--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The decision over Heathrow expansion…" description: "\"The decision over Heathrow expansion exemplifies the style of policy-making that starts with capitulation to a powerful self-interested lobby, blatantl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba5/john-mcdonnell-5730_decision_the-decision-over-heathrow-expansion-exe_2960528.jpg" --- # The decision over Heathrow expansion exemplifies the style… ![“The decision over Heathrow expansion exemplifies the style of policy-making that starts with capitulation to a powerful self-interested lobby, blatantly fixes a public consultation and then drives through a policy that destroys any vestiges of green credentials the government had left.” quote by John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba5/john-mcdonnell-5730_decision_the-decision-over-heathrow-expansion-exe_2960528.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba5/john-mcdonnell-5730_decision_the-decision-over-heathrow-expansion-exe_2960528.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba5/john-mcdonnell-5730_decision_the-decision-over-heathrow-expansion-exe_2960528.jpg) > “The decision over Heathrow expansion exemplifies the style of policy-making that starts with capitulation to a powerful self-interested lobby, blatantly fixes a public consultation and then drives through a policy that destroys any vestiges of green credentials the government had left.” [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Heathrow expansion shows policy capitulation to powerful lobby, undermining green credentials. **In simple terms:** Policy yields to lobby, damaging environmental credibility. Key Takeaway Demand transparency and accountability. Themes politics environment lobbying Mood critical concerned Type political analytical When to use this quote - urban planning - energy policy - public consultation Key Concepts public policy greenwashing democracy Questions to Reflect On - How to strengthen public voice? - What safeguards prevent lobby overreach? A Different Perspective Complex issues may lack simple solutions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Decision Heathrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision-heathrow-4507228/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/green/) [Heathrow Expansion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heathrow-expansion-3188465/) [Lobby Blatantly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lobby-blatantly-4507229/) [Policy Destroys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/policy-destroys-2828744/) [Policy making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/policy-making/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Powerful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerful/) ## Related quotes > [Heathrow expansion is an object lesson in the dominance of a rapacious sector of industry over government decision-making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/heathrow-expansion-is-an-object-lesson-in-the-dominance-of-a/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Nationally, unrestrained Heathrow expansion has prevented the balanced development of regional airports and their economies and the planning of an integrated transport system maximising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/nationally-unrestrained-heathrow-expansion-has-prevented-the-balanced/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [When monetary policy destroys the currency, it always destroys the middle class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/when-monetary-policy-destroys-the-currency-it-always-destroys-the/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [Policy-making, decision-taking, and control: These are the three functions of management that have intellectual content.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-stafford-beer/policy-making-decision-taking-and-control-these-are-the-three/) [Anthony Stafford Beer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-stafford-beer/) > [It presents a really compelling case against the whole theory of anthropogenic global warming. From my point of view, it is a theory that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-minchin/it-presents-a-really-compelling-case-against-the-whole-theory-of/) [Nick Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-minchin/) > [“Today we enforce accountability, so that our future generation can act accountable out of their own free will without the support from superficial regulatory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/today-we-enforce-accountability-so-that-our-future-generation-can-act/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [In general, I don't think that economic, social and cultural rights are primarily a matter of going to court. They are most useful today…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/in-general-i-don-t-think-that-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-are/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [ There are legions of \[Aquarian, New Age, One World Religion\] conspirators. They are in corporations, universities, and hospitals, on the faculties of public schools,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-ferguson/there-are-legions-of-aquarian-new-age-one-world-religion-conspirators/) [Marilyn Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-ferguson/) > [At some fundamental level, religion does not allow for compromise. It insists on the impossible. If God has spoken, then followers are expected to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/at-some-fundamental-level-religion-does-not-allow-for-compromise-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [In modern times sound policy-making must often come to grips with numbers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randal-marlin/in-modern-times-sound-policy-making-must-often-come-to-grips-with/) [Randal Marlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randal-marlin/) > [“Policy making invariably involves taking measured risks in the face of uncertainty, for one has neither a prior template nor the luxury of indecision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raghuram-g-rajan/policy-making-invariably-involves-taking-measured-risks-in-the-face/) [Raghuram G. Rajan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raghuram-g-rajan/) > [For some time I have been disturbed by the way the CIA has been diverted from its original assignment. It has become an operational…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/for-some-time-i-have-been-disturbed-by-the-way-the-cia-has-been/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Our current model of capitalism and the dominant ideas in policy making have led to a failure of investment by both the public and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariana-mazzucato/our-current-model-of-capitalism-and-the-dominant-ideas-in-policy/) [Mariana Mazzucato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariana-mazzucato/) > [From where you sit, the White House may look as untidy as the inside of a stomach. As is said of the legislative process,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/from-where-you-sit-the-white-house-may-look-as-untidy-as-the-inside/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [The way that you eliminate bad and ugly is either through activism and policy making that never tolerates evil -- instead of the liberal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/the-way-that-you-eliminate-bad-and-ugly-is-either-through-activism/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) ## More by John McDonnell > [Going to university is, and should be, so much more than a mechanical process of grinding out a degree qualification for a pre-determined career…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/going-to-university-is-and-should-be-so-much-more-than-a-mechanical/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [The arrogant view that young people don't count because they don't vote has thankfully been smashed for ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-arrogant-view-that-young-people-don-t-count-because-they-don-t/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Well organised displays of spontaneous support is one of the New Labour machine's specialities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/well-organised-displays-of-spontaneous-support-is-one-of-the-new/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Labour will only survive in government if we can restore the sense of mission upon which it was founded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/labour-will-only-survive-in-government-if-we-can-restore-the-sense-of/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [The spread of information technology and the long-term decline in the cost of computing power have created opportunities that simply did not exist before.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-spread-of-information-technology-and-the-long-term-decline-in-the/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [When I left school I went onto the shop floor, working 12-hour shifts in a TV factory. My workmates were sharp, skilled and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/when-i-left-school-i-went-onto-the-shop-floor-working-12-hour-shifts/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [The New Labour political elite has long conspired to secure a so-called 'smooth transition' for Blair's successor. This would amount to little more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-new-labour-political-elite-has-long-conspired-to-secure-a-so/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [If the government is injecting public money, it should also take the right to oversee board appointments, executive pay, and future business operations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/if-the-government-is-injecting-public-money-it-should-also-take-the/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Only the political process offers the real prospect of a united Ireland at peace with itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/only-the-political-process-offers-the-real-prospect-of-a-united/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Producing more reams of detailed policies that have marginal and limited effects on our society is futile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/producing-more-reams-of-detailed-policies-that-have-marginal-and/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [There are some lines in the sand you just do not cross. Undermining basic civil liberties by locking people up for long periods without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/there-are-some-lines-in-the-sand-you-just-do-not-cross-undermining/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Political rivalry is one thing but personal smear campaigns scrape the barrel of political infighting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/political-rivalry-is-one-thing-but-personal-smear-campaigns-scrape/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [No cause is worth the loss of a child's life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/no-cause-is-worth-the-loss-of-a-child-s-life/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [The illegal 2003 invasion had little to do with liberating Iraqis from Saddam Hussein's dictatorship. Instead, the real freedoms and benefits were destined to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-illegal-2003-invasion-had-little-to-do-with-liberating-iraqis/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [We want to be absolutely clear to the people what we are about. No backroom deals whatsoever and we're not going to be held…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/we-want-to-be-absolutely-clear-to-the-people-what-we-are-about-no/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) [Explore all 100 John McDonnell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) ## More Decision quotes > [Making the right decision is hard,telling someone your decision is even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/making-the-right-decision-is-hard-telling-someone-your-decision-is/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [“How can you make an informed decision about whether to save the world if you never leave your tiny part of it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-david-hutchinson/how-can-you-make-an-informed-decision-about-whether-to-save-the-world/) [Shaun David Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-david-hutchinson/) > [Love is the foundation from which your decisions about your life should be made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-the-foundation-from-which-your-decisions-about-your-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Indecision becomes decision with time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/indecision-becomes-decision-with-time/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you think of people as making decisions actively, every time we think about the cup of coffee, we say, "How much will I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/if-you-think-of-people-as-making-decisions-actively-every-time-we/) [Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/) > [It was a conscious decision on my part to take up fewer films. And if you're not seen that often on screen, nobody calls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-lever/it-was-a-conscious-decision-on-my-part-to-take-up-fewer-films-and-if/) [Johnny Lever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-lever/) > [Decision is a risk rooted in the courage of being free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/decision-is-a-risk-rooted-in-the-courage-of-being-free/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [I never think of things rationally or intellectually. I swear, every single decision I make is just instinct and my instincts tend to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neill-blomkamp/i-never-think-of-things-rationally-or-intellectually-i-swear-every/) [Neill Blomkamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neill-blomkamp/) > [“it is either you happen to life or life happens to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sesan-kareem/it-is-either-you-happen-to-life-or-life-happens-to-you/) [Sesan Kareem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sesan-kareem/) > [How strange that something so simple could have been instrumental in my decision to ruin one of my most relationships and friendships, and damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/how-strange-that-something-so-simple-could-have-been-instrumental-in/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I am encouraged President Obama now says he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to seek authorization for any potential military action in Syria. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-am-encouraged-president-obama-now-says-he-will-fulfill-his/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [In New York, you are constantly faced with this very urgent decision that you have to make, about every twenty minutes...you have to decide,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cross/in-new-york-you-are-constantly-faced-with-this-very-urgent-decision/) [David Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cross/) [Browse all 9,145 Decision quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The decision over Heathrow expansion exemplifies the style of policy-making that starts with capitulation to a powerful self-interested lobby, blatantly fixes a public consultation and then drives through a policy that destroys any vestiges of green credentials the government had left.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John McDonnell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-decision-over-heathrow-expansion-exemplifies-the-style-of-policy/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Decision" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-decision-over-heathrow-expansion-exemplifies-the-style-of-policy/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba5/john-mcdonnell-5730_decision_the-decision-over-heathrow-expansion-exe_2960528.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba5/john-mcdonnell-5730_decision_the-decision-over-heathrow-expansion-exe_2960528.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba5/john-mcdonnell-5730_decision_the-decision-over-heathrow-expansion-exe_2960528.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The decision over Heathrow expansion exemplifies the style of policy-making that starts with capitulation to…” — John McDonnell", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John McDonnell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The decision over Heathrow expansion exemplifies...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-decision-over-heathrow-expansion-exemplifies-the-style-of-policy/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-decision-over-heathrow-expansion-exemplifies-the-style-of-policy/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```