In response to the blockade of domestic flights on October 8th, a Manchester Airport spokesman said in the Times,

"We would encourage those groups, including environmental groups, to engage in sensible debate and not pull stunts like this." [1]

Manchester Climate Action and Plane Stupid gleefully took up the offer and stood on a panel of six with the Tyndall Centre, the Centre for Aviation Transport and the Environment (CATE), Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and the Airport.

There seemed to be a consensus from most of the panel that flying from Manchester to London was indeed unnecessary.

To hear audio presentations from the panellists see  http://www.transportlongsight.org.uk/onthemove/special.php?sid=2

The airport failed to put up any strong arguments of an economic, social or environmental nature in favour of expanding capacity.

Whilst, we may congratulate ourselves on clearly winning the debate, where were the press that evening? How many other people will find about the issue?

Elements of the press scold us for 'silly stunts' and disruptive direct action, but it seems they are not interested in covering serious debate.

When it comes to using direct action then, we're damned if we do, but doomed if we don't.

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[1]  http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2617581.ece