THE GREEN WATCH ➔
Party politics puts the brake on aviation
Five minutes with... Morag Alabaster
PROFILE
Director of MWB Venues MWB BUSINESS EXCHANGE
Morag joined MWB 18 months ago to lead, develop and grow the meeting and training product within the business. Through investment and a roll-out of brand standards for the product and service delivery, the company has seen excellent growth within its FTSE client base and agency sector.
WE HAVE just passed the party conference season again, with the various supporters sent off to the four corners of the country to build influence and rally support, writes Roger Gardner. In current times, it is not surprising that the economy was a dominant theme as government seeks all possible (affordable) ways to kick-start the economy. Though covered in the conferences fringes, two topics received little media attention: transport and the environment. Both are key to growth, and aviation and the green economy are UK strengths we can build upon. The air transport sector and NGOs were there, pressing for more or less aviation respectively. With government currently consulting on a new aviation policy framework for the UK, and the Labour party in the middle of a transport policy review, opportunities were ripe to lobby. It is on airport capacity and quality of life issues that the main debate turns. With airports, especially Heathrow and Gatwick, close to being full, we are seeing some bold propositions such as a ‘Heathwick’ rail connection that aims to improve the
working of the London airports system. Neither that idea nor the proposed Thames estuary airport, so beloved by the Mayor, are likely to be affordable in the foreseeable future. One could argue the same
for the proposed HS2 rail link to the West Midlands which, it is argued, will substitute for some domestic flights. With government having
taken a firm stance on ‘no new runways’ and committed to carbon control, there is a head-on battle under way with those arguing that more and better air transport connectivity is essential for economic recovery. Back to the politics. While government invites comment on the future aviation policy and commissions some studies on particular aspects of the problem, the debate is heavily influenced by vested interest contributions. These are wholly valid but
there is no substitute for objective independent analysis that dispassionately analyses the evidence. For too long there has been yo-yo politics with aviation’s future and that saps energy, cost and value from the sector, from the UK – relative to other countries who have a
clearer direction – and leaves us all in a state of flux. The issue of aviation’s future is too important to be subject to the vagaries of the political pendulum and a consensus high level view is needed on the key strategic goals. Ideally, a supra-political mechanism such as a Royal Commission could be used but realistically – with a new aviation policy due in 2013 – that is not going to happen. However, there is a good independent resource in the academic sector that can provide rigorous peer- reviewed evidence to build policy and do away with some of the polar extremes of vested interest positions. UK plc spends a lot of money to produce aviation policy and then reproduce it a few years later. It would be much more sensible (and a lot cheaper) to invest in some solid independent research to provide economic, environ- mental, business and social evidence for use by the policy-makers. If the key players agreed the terms in advance, there might then be a chance of agreeing upon a durable, long-term and sustainable strategy for aviation that helps the UK to prosper again.
What is your most memorable business travel trip and why? The F1 in Monaco was pretty cool. Watching the race round the hairpin bends of Monte Carlo was fantastic. The Fairmont Hotel had a suite that looked right over the bend so we got a brilliant view of the cars in this section. The atmosphere was electric and there were gorgeous people everywhere! The most memorable bit was my bar bill at the Billionaire's Club. Eight vodka and Red Bulls was 400 euros – and we had more than one round!
What is your worst business travel experience and why? My worst was definitely in the Hague. We took my new team on a team building incentive that turned out to be more like an endurance test. After camping the night in a snowdome at -15oC we then had a simulated white-water rafting experience where they made everyone jump into the middle of a rapid to experience what it would be like if we fell out of the raft!
What is your favourite destination worldwide and why? It has to be Hong Kong. I love the buzz of opportunity and have a sixth sense for hunting it down. Plus, of course, all the back street handbag stores, the Star Ferry and the beautiful Lammas Island.
What three items do you never leave home without when on business? My iPod and speakers are a must as I love an impromptu party. My third item would have to be a whole suitcase full of shoes as I hate not having the right pair for the right outfit or occasion!
What destinations would you like to visit next and why? I have never been to South America and really want to experience the diversity of the continent. The carnival in Rio in full flow would be really fun but I would also like to trek to Machu Picchu in Peru and eat steak in Argentina.
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