A seasoned anti-fuel tax campaigner has been picked as Reform U.K.’s candidate to be London Mayor and will vow to scrap all of the capital’s Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) and other hated anti-car policies. The Telegraph has the story.
Howard Cox’s attempt to enter the political frontline follows years of success as a campaigner when he has repeatedly helped convince the Treasury not to increase fuel duty.
Mr. Cox will promise not just to stop proposals by the current London Mayor, Labour’s Sadiq Khan, to expand the current ULEZ program but get rid of it all together.
Other policies will include ending the so-called Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme and scaling back the number of 20 mile-an-hour limits in London, according to a Reform source.
Reform faces an uphill struggle in the race. A nationwide poll on the Politico website has the party on 5%, behind the Liberal Democrats on 11%, the Tories on 29% and Labour on 44%.
But by putting helping drivers in London at the heart of its campaign Reform could influence the debate in the contest, including bouncing the Conservatives into a tougher position.
Mr. Khan is running for a third term. The Conservatives are yet to announce a formal candidate, with a decision expected to be made in the summer.
Howard Cox said: “Anyone who lives or travels in and out of London under Mr Khan’s regime can see the vast social and economic damage he has done to our brilliant capital.
“Today, millions struggle to get a doctor’s appointment, have seen their communities infested with rising crime and violence and can’t afford to drive into their city.
“We’ve seen low-income families, workers, sole traders, and businesses fleeced by this Mayor’s anti-growth agenda.
“It’s time someone stood up for millions of ordinary Londoners who are the heartbeat of our capital. They don’t need another elitist politician only interested in self-promotion through baseless virtue signalling.
“Now is the time to tackle the issues that really matter. As mayor I will listen to Londoners and guarantee to act on their behalf. London deserves better.”
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