Keir Starmer calls for Sadiq Khan to 'reflect' on Ulez expansion after surprise by-election loss

[Celerity]

Sir Keir Starmer has urged Sadiq Khan to "reflect" on his decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) after the party's surprise by-election loss in Uxbridge.

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/keir-starmer-urges-sadiq-khan-reflect-ulez-expansion/



Both Labour and the Tories have said Mr Khan's planned Ulez expansion played a major role in the Conservatives holding onto Uxbridge, including the winner himself Steve Tuckwell. Speaking to reporters, Sir Keir said the Ulez expansion was a factor in "why we lost in Uxbridge", adding: "We all need to reflect on that, including the mayor."

But Mr Khan does not appear to have any qualms about pressing ahead with the Ulez expansion, telling LBC it will help improve air quality in outer London. "Look, expanding Ulez to all of London wasn’t an easy decision, it was a tough decision but I think it was the right thing for us to do," the Mayor of London told LBC's Shelagh Fogarty.

Other senior Labour MPs have signalled unrest with Ulez's factor in the Uxbridge loss, including deputy leader Angela Rayner. She said the loss shows what happens "when you don't listen to voters you don't win elections". "There is a concern that we have to make sure that whatever is implemented is not at the cost of working families," she said.

Mr Khan has nonetheless vowed to press on with the policy, telling LBC: "I’ve lived in London my entire life. During my life, that seat has never been Labour, even in 1997 when Tony Blair won a landslide victory. “Of course I’m disappointed that Labour didn’t gain this seat for the first time in my lifetime but obviously I welcome the fact there’s been a seven per cent swing to Labour.

snip

[Emrys]

1. Starmer needs to reflect on the importance of offering the electorate something other than

"Tory-lite" fronted by a charismaless stuffed shirt with no principles or backbone.

The London ULEZ was introduced by Boris Johnson when he was London mayor in 2015:

Mayor confirms world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone.
...
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “The world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone is an essential measure to help improve air quality in our city, protect the health of Londoners, and lengthen our lead as the greatest city on earth. With additional funds announced today, more help is on the way for taxi drivers to support their transition to the latest technology in greener cabs. Together we can ensure everyone who lives, works in, or visits our city has the cleanest possible air to breathe.”

https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/ultra-low-emission-zone

Now, for some reason, he's changed his tune:

Boris Johnson slams expansion of Ulez that he created while mayor
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/ulez-expansion-london-boris-johnson-daily-mirror-column-b1093044.html

Everybody knows that Johnson doesn't feel bound by the same rules as everyone else, including regarding consistency from day to day. Matching him at his game isn't a winning look for Labour:

On Friday Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer backed Mr Khan over his expansion proposal, telling LBC: “I accept that the mayor has no choice but to go ahead because of the legal obligation on him.”
...
It comes after Labour candidate Danny Beales in Uxbridge and South Ruislip - Mr Johnson’s former constituency - called for a delay to the zone’s extension due to the rising cost of living, despite previously defending the policy.

... Starmer said it was “right” for the Uxbridge candidate to “stand up” for his potential constituents but argued Mr Khan had been left with no “wriggle room” on the issue.

The Opposition leader told LBC he recognised that the move would cause “pain” and it would be “a lot of money” for motorists to have to pay during the current cost-of-living crisis.

But he said it was “important to make clear” that there was a “legal obligation on the mayor to take measures” in relation to air pollution.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/ulez-expansion-london-boris-johnson-daily-mirror-column-b1093044.html

That legal obligation is because Tory Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps twisted Sadiq Khan's arm to reintroduce and expand ULEZ as a condition of extra funding for Transport for London in the recovery period during the aftermath of COVID:



If Labour chickens out so easily even when faced with wide open goals like these against blatant Tory humbug, who can trust them to govern or believe any campaign promises they make?

Maybe Labour would have won the byelection if they hadn't parachuted in a raw Starmer fanboy as candidate and actually demonstrated some principles and vision beyond "there isn't any money" for a change.

[Celerity]

2. +100

[T_i_B]

3. Reminds me of Tory strategy on planning

Tory government in Westminster orders councils to build houses. Tories at local level then campaign against any proposal to build the houses that Westminster Tories ordered them to do.

Saw this Nimbyish strategy from the Tories at first hand when I lived in Derbyshire and in my opinion, the best strategy for Labour is to be upfront about the fact that this is being ordered by Westminster, and proactive in engaging the public about it.

As to stuff like ULEZ, clean air zones, 15 minute cites etc, I have observed that this stuff is very popular in more central parts of cities, and opposed by people on the outskirts. I can't comment on how this affects Uxbridge as I don't know that area, but I have a number of issues with how this is being implemented in in my home town of Sheffield.

[LeftishBrit]

4. It wasn't a 'surprise loss'

It was a very narrow failure to *gain* a previously firmly Tory seat. On a night when they did gain another such seat.

FFS Labour, don't start to panic; leave that to the Tories!