Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has rightfully been mocked for hypocrisy over the expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone. While the party supported the tariff expansion across London, Davey has requested an exemption for his constituency.
He wrote a letter to Sadiq Khan raising concerns to the major about the impact of the expansion, saying it is “very damaging” to the residents and businesses located there despite his party backing Labours expansion plan.
Peter Fortune, the London assembly member for Bexley & Bromley, slammed Davey and the Lib Dems for “supporting ULEZ for everyone but themselves.” He also said, “They could have voted with us to stop this at the London Assembly, but they chose to vote with Labour and the Greens to support ULEZ expansion to outer London”.
“Yet here we see their Leader, Ed Davey, asking for his part of London to be exempt!
Mr Davey called for the newly expanded ULEZ boundary to be moved from the crossroads of Leatherhead Road with Fairoak Lane and Rushett Lane to the A3 at the Hook roundabout, saying this would “leave Hook and Chessington outside the extended ULEZ.”
Under ULEZ, people will be charged £12.50 daily for vehicles not meeting up-to-date emissions standards.
£12.50 a day; if your car does not comply, you are choking grannies and babies to death, killing the planet, and you must be bad. However, for £12.50, you won’t be murdering grannies or babies; £12.50, you can buy a clear conscience and drive your killer car guilt-free.
Implementing a low emissions zone may seem like a commendable concept. However, in reality, such left-leaning ideas often prove to be unfeasible. As is expected, when the affluent liberal class imposes their beliefs, the working-class population bears the brunt of the consequences of these seemingly indulgent policies.
If Khan, Davey and Co were genuinely concerned about reducing emissions, they should take more drastic measures, such as banning cars altogether. However, they prioritise their convenience by allowing the use of cars they can afford while imposing taxes on the less privileged.
The climate crisis is perceived as a concern only for ordinary people. It’s often emphasised that our excessive consumption is causing irreversible environmental harm. However, it’s bewildering to know that the only solution presented is to pay a hefty sum to offset the damage caused by our actions. How convenient for the wealthy, but I’m sure it is just a coincidence.
