Chancellor was grilled on her Heathrow expansion plans as she appeared live on .
and welcomed her onto the show to discuss her Heathrow expansion plans, with talks of a third runway being reported.
But Stayt was quick to point out her hypocrisy as he asked her: “Is it true that just a few years ago that you fought against expansion of Leeds-Bradford airport citing air and noise pollution?”
Reeves responded: “So that was in the pandemic and people weren’t really flying, a lot has changed since then, including how aeroplanes fly and including sustainable aviation fuel, and as that evidence changes, I think it is right to look again at airport expansion.
“We’ve already as a government signed off expansion at Stansted Airport because we know how important it is to make sure Britain is connected.”
Reeves went on to repeat how the changes in “how we fly” were “so important”, insisting that flying was becoming more sustainable, as she added that “sustainable aviation and economic growth” could go hand in hand.
Rachel Reeves was skewered over her previous opposition to airport expansion (Image: BBC)
Charlie Stayt told Reeves “people don’t like double standards” (Image: BBC)
Stayt responded: “People at home have been listening very carefully to what you just said, Chancellor, I think you said you did oppose the Leeds-Bradford airport expansion because of air and noise pollution standards, and people don’t like it when it when there are double standards.”
Reeves tried to jump in to insist that “things had changed”, but Stayt continued: “You seem to be involved in Nimbyish, where you don’t want it outside your home, but now with Heathrow, you’re taking an entirely different approach.”
The stuttering Chancellor once again said that “things have changed”, as she said that if new plans came forward at Leeds-Bradford, “she would support them”.
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Reeves’ comments sparked a huge reaction from viewers, as one raged: “Hypocrisy & makes no sense Labour have crashed economy after 7 months, yet now looking to stimulate growth by projects that will finish in 2050? Seriously?”
Another added: “What things have changed? Why isn’t the chancellor armed with stats and figures on pollution levels a few years ago vs. pollution levels today?”
A third agreed: “Oh my, what a turnaround. Labour are stuck in a revolving door of back words.”
Breakfast airs weekdays at 6am on BBC1.