Crowds flock to mega rally in fight against Heathrow expansion at Barn Elms

Mr Goldsmith said he was delighted with the turnout he estimated at more than 2,000 and hoped it would send the message to Government that people are strongly opposed to a third runway.

Mr Johnson and Mr Goldsmith made speeches at the rally, alongside secretary of state for international development, Justine Greening MP (Putney), and secretary of state for energy and climate change, Edward Davey MP (Kingston and Surbiton)

The rally drew attention to referendums being conducted in Richmond and Hillingdon councils.

At the event in Barn Elms playing fields residents could cast their vote in an enormous ballot box constructed by Richmond Park Academy.

Mr Goldsmith said: “This is really just to show what it means to the community and I think it speaks for itself.

“People really do feel very strongly and I hope we won't have to ramp up the campaign, but if we have to, we will.

“The Government's decision to reopen the debate over Heathrow expansion has angered residents of south-west London and dismayed those who campaigned against it previously.

"The possibility of third and fourth runways was explicitly ruled out in both coalition parties' manifestos.”

People turned out with placards showing their feelings against Heathrow expansion, with slogans reading “Two’s company, three’s a crowd. No third runway.”

Mr Davey said: “I can tell you that the people of Kingston are here in spirit and mind and we will fight against this.”

Mr Johnson took to the stage and shot straight into a tirade against the third runway plans and said he would make sure it never happened.

He said: “Let me tell you, if they got their third runway, it would not be enough for that ‘moluck.’ They would say we need a fourth runway.

Later he said: “They think they are secretly going to get that third runway but I can tell you, it’s not going to happen.”