A heated battle within the Labour party is currently unfolding over the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), as Sir Keir Starmer desperately tries to manage the increasing backlash from voters. The Labour leader has now expressed his opposition to imposing the London clean-air tax on drivers "in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis."
A Brewing Labour Civil War over ULEZ
Sir Keir Starmer's attempts to address the mounting criticism of ULEZ have ignited a fierce internal conflict within the Labour party. The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, on the other hand, remains committed to expanding the emission zone, despite facing significant opposition.
Clean Air Alternatives
The Labour leader believes that clean air can be achieved using alternative methods that do not involve implementing congestion zones. Sir Keir's decision to backtrack on his promise to introduce ULEZ-style schemes nationwide came in the wake of Labour's defeat in the Uxbridge by-election.
Khan Defends ULEZ Expansion
Unfazed by the growing controversy, the London mayor reaffirmed his intentions to proceed with the ULEZ expansion. Sadiq Khan stated in an interview with Times Radio, "While I continue to listen to the concerns of Londoners, we cannot postpone addressing public health emergencies or tackling the climate crisis."
Donor Displeasure
Sir Keir Starmer has also received criticism from one of his major donors. Dale Vince, the founder of Ecotricity and a prominent supporter of the anti-oil movement Just Stop Oil, expressed his disappointment with the Labour leader's decision. Vince, who has generously donated £1.5 million to the party, argued that politicians were too quick to attribute the Uxbridge election result to driver frustration.
As the ULEZ debate continues to intensify, it remains to be seen how Sir Keir Starmer will navigate this clash within his party and address the concerns of both voters and major supporters.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/politics/voters-unwilling-to-pay-higher-taxes-for-net-zero-poll-finds/
