In the first poll of British members of parliament since the Brexit vote in June, 76 per cent of parliamentarians agree that an expanded Heathrow is important to keep Britain connected to the world post-Brexit.

The airport claims this demonstrates continued cross-party majority support for an expanded Heathrow.

With investors and markets around the world anxious to understand the UK’s new future role, 74 per cent of MPs say that expanding Heathrow would be the primary way of demonstrating that the UK is open for business and ready to be a leading trading nation.

This is compared to only 12 per cent who think the same of an expanded Gatwick. 

The new polling also reveals that a third runway at Heathrow is the only major infrastructure project which a majority of MPs rank as the first priority for the UK economy.

Further, 74 per cent of MPs believe that expanding Heathrow best shows that the UK wants to trade internationally, compared to only 12 per cent for a second runway at Gatwick.

As the government prepares to take a much-anticipated decision on airport expansion following the Airports Commission’s clear recommendation for an expanded Heathrow last year, the polling underscores the overwhelming cross-party support amongst MPs for a third runway at Heathrow to help Britain stay connected to the world post-Brexit.

Responding to the new polling, Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “The government is committed to delivering a positive Brexit plan and MPs couldn’t be clearer – an expanded Heathrow is fundamental to Britain’s future as an outward-looking trading nation.

“A third runway at Heathrow will open up 40 new markets for Britain’s exporters, spur inbound tourism to every corner of our country and create up to 180,000 new skilled jobs.

“By expanding Heathrow, the Prime Minister will make the right choice for a stronger British economy.”

The figures were collated by a YouGov poll.

The total sample size was 102 MPs, with the fieldwork undertaken from July 5th-21st.