The Conservative politicians who stand in the way of the UK expanding its airport capacity

Airports Commission has recommended a third runway at Heathrow as the best way to expand UK aviation capacity

By far the main obstacle in the way of the UK finally making a decision over where to build extra aviation capacity in South-east England is the Conservative party.

The three-year, £20 million Airports Commission recommends a third runway at Heathrow as the best option, but with so many of the areas that would be affected by a third runway at Heathrow lying in Tory-held constituencies, it has created a political nightmare for David Cameron.

Boris Johnson

The Mayor of London has pledged to lie down in front of the bulldozers if building for a third runway at Heathrow goes ahead. He reiterated his fierce opposition to Heathrow expansion this morning, insisting it will not go ahead despite the report's recommendations.

His constituents in his new seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip will be affected by the expansion.

Boris Johnson, MP for Uxbridge and Ruislip

Zac Goldsmith

He has promised to stand down as a Conservative MP if his party backs a third runway at Heathrow, triggering a by-election in his Richmond Park constituency.

He is the leading contender to be nominated as the Tory's candidate in next year's London Mayor elections, which would put him in an even stronger position to stop a third runway at Heathrow from going ahead.

Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park (Getty)

Theresa May

The Home Secretary is opposed to heathrow expansion due to the “detrimental” impact of increased levels of noise and pollution to her constituents in Maidenhead.

Theresa May, MP for Maidenhead

Justine Greening

The International Development Secretary has said she would find it "difficult" to continue serving in the Cabinet if the government backed plans to go for Heathrow expansion.

Her Putney constituency will also experience a significant increase in noise pollution if it goes ahead.

Justine Greening, MP for Putney

Philip Hammond

The Foreign Secretary and MP for Runnymede and Weybridge is a strong opponent of Heathrow expansion and became the first Cabinet minister to call for expansion at Gatwick to solve the aviation problem in the South-east.

Philip Hammond, MP for Runnymede and Weybridge

Theresa Villiers

The Northern Ireland Secretary and MP for Chipping Barnet opposes Heathrow expansion because of the "devastating damage" on the environment and on people's quality of life.

Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet (Getty Images)

Greg Hands

He is the chief secretary to the Treasury and MP for Chelsea and Fulham, whose constituents would be affected by Heathrow expansion.

David Cameron

David Cameron made his pledge before the 2010 election (Getty Images)

The Prime Minister himself has made a "no ifs, no buts" pledge against a third runway at Heathrow. In 2009 he said: “The third runway at Heathrow is not going ahead, no ifs, no buts.”