High Court ruling allows Sadiq Khan to roll out ULEZ expansion
Sadiq Khan has been branded a “left-wing dictator” after ignoring previous claims over his Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) plan.
Last year, Khan insisted that increasing the ULEZ zone was not “pre-determined” until he received the feedback of a consultation held among residents and stakeholders.
A recent by-election in Uxbridge was also fought over the issue with Conservatives holding onto the seat despite a 20-point deficit in the national polls.
However, Khan has since pressed ahead with his ULEZ expansion plans with a High Court ruling the scheme “lawful” last week.
It means the daily £12.50 per day charge will be rolled out past the North and South Circulars on August 29.
Bob Bull, Chairman of the Alliance of British Drivers called out the Labour Mayor for his anti-democratic approach.
Bull told Talk TV: “Basically, I think the actual decision, it was just about process and it doesn’t actually change the fact that the majority of people that it's going to affect voted against it.
“Also it brings to light again the lies of Khan when he said he wouldn't increase the ULEZ zone if it was against public opinion and [people] voted against it and he’s doing it anyway. He’s a classic left-wing dictator," he claimed.
Khan’s promise appeared to backfire when the consultation was eventually published at the end of last year.
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It showed that 59 percent of respondents thought the expansion should not be implemented with concerns over affordability and provisions for those with disabilities.
However, The Greater London Authority commissioned a separate survey which showed 51 percent supported the expansion with just 27 percent against.
But, Labour frontbenchers have blamed ULEZ for costing them the Uxbridge by-election with just 37 percent of voters backing the party.
Last week, leader Sir Keir Starmer felt the party was “doing something very wrong if policies put forward by the Labour Party end up on each and every Tory leaflet”.
Five Conservative councils Greater London areas led the legal challenge against the scheme. Meanwhile, the Tories' London Mayoral candidate Susan Hall has pledged to scrap the scheme if elected in 2024.
The new charge could cost drivers up to £87.50 per week or around £375 per month if they travel every day.
Bull added: “The whole thing is really a farce and it’s just a money collection device for people who are less well off. And particularly in a time of economic problems for a lot of people it’s a very, very bad decision.”
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