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LEGAL AND ELECTION ROUTES Despite the July
and September 2023 Judicial Reviews ruling that ULEZ expansion was ‘legal’, ULEZ
can be stopped. Central
government action It has been suggested that PM Sunak and
Transport Secretary might stop ULEZ expansion under the Greater London
Authority Act, 1999 (section
143). This would require the Mayor’s policy to have been ‘inconsistent’
with national policy. There were limp
excuses that the government didn’t have a policy to conflict with, so a court
would have found for Khan and TfL if challenged!!! (Cynics might note that the Mayor was
instructed
to ‘urgently bring forward proposals to widen the scope and levels of’ [ULEZ
and the Congestion Charge]. Wider
article on ‘national policy’ worth a read - a betrayal of those who drive
in London by the then Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps MP.) Basildon MP Stephen Metcalfe drew
a blank in asking the government to intervene. The PM’s answer
was disappointing, suggesting it was for Sir Keir Starmer and Khan to stop
ULEZ expansion… abdication through devolution. The PM gave a similar brush-off
to David Simmonds (MP for Ruislip, Northwood & Pinner). About as much use
as the authorities refusing to act against a gang vandalising your property
and advising you to beg their leader to tell them to stop! A future PM with a brain and a
backbone might just supply the missing policy! That would be quicker than tabling
fresh legislation. After all in 2023 PM Sunak asked us to hold
him to account over his newly stated national policies - keeping the cost
of living down. And with it protect jobs and the economy while keeping inflation
down. Mayoral action The Mayor of London
has power to change the Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS) to make changes to
transport policies. In theory, a two-thirds Assembly majority could stop a
change, but it would be rash to go against a Mayor elected on a specific
promise.
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The Alliance of
British Drivers is non-party political and pleased to be part of the public
backlash against the Mayor’s money- raking expansion. ABD is liaising with campaign networks to put the pro-motorist and business case against ULEZ. Please help spread the
word and actively support us in calling for a fairer
deal for over-taxed drivers.
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