The business traveller is likely to be at the centre of the next general election, whether they like it or not.

The decision by the current Government in January to approve the building of a third runway at Heathrow proved controversial with the Opposition. When the deal was announced, Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers described it as “a bleak day for our environment and for those of us that care about safeguarding it”.

She added: “A third runway at Heathrow would inflict devastating damage to the environment and to the quality of life of millions of people and the Conservatives will fight them every step of the way.”

As a result, the decision to expand Heathrow will be a focus of campaigning in the run-up to the election, which much take place by 3 June 2010.

As we revealed back in May, Britain’s business travel agencies are to draw up a business traveller manifesto in bid to influence government policy.

Speaking at the annual conference of the Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC), whose members issue 80% of all airline tickets in the UK for business trips, the organisation’s chief executive Philip Carlisle said that the manifesto would cover “the choice, cost, efficiency, frequency and taxation of business travel domestically, in Europe and internationally”.

The GTMC now plans to survey a wide range of business travellers to get their views on what should be included in the manifesto.

The 24-question survey quizzes respondents about frequency and mode of travel as well as attitudes to business travel. There are also questions on the experience of the UK’s road and airport network, including whether airports are a good place to work and whether there is too much congestion.

The survey ends with a look at business traveller infrastructure projects, such as building a new London airport in the Thames Estuary and the expansion of Heathrow. It also asks respondents how they believe such projects should be funded, whether through government spending, public-private partnerships or usage charges.

Anyone responding to the survey will get a free copy of the survey results and the chance to win £250 in John Lewis vouchers.