"Stop playing games and get airport open," angry PM tells Reform UK
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has told Reform UK “to stop playing games” and get Doncaster Sheffield Airport open in a fiery clash at Prime Minister’s Questions.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has told Reform UK “to stop playing games” and get Doncaster Sheffield Airport open in a fiery clash at Prime Minister’s Questions.
Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice and fellow MP Lee Anderson could be seen reacting angrily as the PM responded to a question from Doncaster East and Isle of Axholme MP Lee Pitcher (Labour) in the Commons earlier today.
It comes after Reform UK’s councillors on City of Doncaster council called a fresh meeting to consider a £57 million loan to finance the re-opening of DSA which they had previously agreed to in November.
Reform has said that it wants the airport to re-open - but wants a fresh vote on the deal its councillors agreed to last year, saying that new information about the deal had come to light and that there was “no blank cheque” for re-opening the airport, which shut in 2022.
Labour has said that if Reform UK U-turns on the loan, it would “kill” the airport project.
Mr Pitcher told the PM: “This Labour governmeny has backed the re-opening of Doncaster Sheffield Airpory from the very start.
“It means jobs, investment, growth and opportunity, not just for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme but for the whole region.”
“Now the Reform councillors in Doncaster are considering reversing their decision to support the investment which would currently facilitate that airport from re-opening.
“Does the Prime Minister agree with me that the airport remains a huge priority for the area and will continue to work with us to find a way forward to make sure that we get our airport back open?
The PM replied: “My Honorable Friend is a champion for this crucial local project and I thank him for his work.
“I know from visiting Doncaster just how important re-opening this airport is to local residents.
“It will be a huge boost for South Yorkshire and unlock thousands of jobs.
“I’m deeply concerned by reports that decisions by Reform in Doncaster could put the re-opening in jeopardy.
“Labour put a plan in place. Reform should honour their promises, stop playing games and get the airport open.”