Personally I think this policy would be enough to guarantee Tory victories in the majority of constituencies around Heathrow.
from BBC News
The Conservatives have said they will scrap plans for a third runway at Heathrow airport and build a £20bn high-speed rail line instead.
Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers told the Guardian the aim was to cut 66,000 Heathrow flights a year by encouraging people to use the train.
The proposed 180mph rail link would run between St Pancras in London and Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.
Ms Villiers said the decision was based on environmental concerns.
The Conservatives hope the line would increase use of the Eurostar, based at St Pancras, to the continent, and free up the West Coast Mainline for more commuter journeys.
Decision expected
Ms Villiers said: "This is a seriously green decision.
"A few years ago it would have been inconceivable for the leader of the Conservative party to say 'no' to a third runway and putting the brakes on Heathrow expansion."
On the second day of the party conference in Birmingham, Ms Villiers is set to announce a Tory government would spend £15.6bn over 12 years on the project. The private sector would contribute a further £4.4bn.
Journey times would be cut from 125 minutes to 80 minutes from London to Manchester, and from 55 minutes to 17 minutes between Manchester and Leeds.
The Conservatives have also proposed a high-speed link between St Pancras and Heathrow.
Environmental campaigners have strongly opposed the expansion of Heathrow, but business leaders have backed development plans.
A government decision on whether to go ahead with a third runway is expected later this year. 
