Backlash to ULEZ expansion raises questions over Tory and Labour green agendas
London's ULEZ expansion finally comes into effect today after a dramatic few months which have seen legal challenges, a bombshell by-election and plenty of bitter rows.
Under the new rules, drivers of heavily polluting cars will face a £12.50 charge every day they use their vehicles in all the capital's boroughs. Backers say the move is essential to tackle poor air quality, but it's also been met with a huge backlash that's put the green agenda under the spotlight.
The Tories' surprise by-election win in Boris Johnson's old seat - which even the victorious candidate admitted was due to ULEZ anger - suggest it could be a difficult issue for Labour to navigate. Keir Starmer has distanced himself from the expansion, saying it's a decision for London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and his party won't be pushing for similar schemes elsewhere. Meanwhile both Mr Starmer and PM Rishi Sunak have faced pressure to roll back on environmental commitments amid fears of a backlash at the ballot box.
Labour HQ has made it clear Sadiq Khan is going it alone (PA)What is ULEZ?
For all the Tory bluster about ULEZ, it was Boris Johnson who first introduced it, covering large swathes of central London. The ultra-low emission zone is a scheme aimed at discouraging vehicles which produce high emissions from traveling through the capital.
It is Mr Khan's decision to expand this to outer parts of London which has been so controversial, however. Critics argue the fees will hit cash-strapped drivers during a cost-of-living crisis and add an additional burden to businesses, potentially costing jobs.
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Outlining the rationale back in 2015, Mr Johnson - then Mayor of London - 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." And he added: "Together we can ensure everyone who lives, works in, or visits our city has the cleanest possible air to breathe.”
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Why's it being expanded?
London Mayor Sadiq Khan says that expanding the zone further can save lives and lower the risks of children developing asthma, cancer and dementia due to "toxic" air. City Hall estimates this leads to around 4,000 premature deaths every year in the capital.
It is widely supported by environmental groups and high-profile healthcare figures and charities, who say London's current ULEZ area has been effective. Mr Khan - who has pushed for the expansion in spite of widespread opposition - says he's a "doer, not a delayer", and said failing to act isn't an option.
Did ULEZ cost Labour at last month's by-election?
Yes. After Boris Johnson quit and his seat came up for grabs, Labour chiefs were hopeful they could strike a huge and symbolic blow by winning it. But this wasn't to be, with Conservative candidate Steve Tuckwell narrowly holding it with a majority of 495.
In his victory speech, he didn't make a single reference to Mr Sunak, instead saying it was Mr Khan who had cost Labour dearly. He said: "It was his damaging and costly Ulez policy that lost them this election. This wasn't the campaign Labour expected and Keir Starmer and his mayor Sadiq Khan need to sit up and listen to the Uxbridge and South Ruislip residents."
The campaign also showed how deep the ULEZ divide is within the Labour Party. Danny Beales, who was hoping to win the seat, said he had written to Mr Khan saying it's "not the right time" to be introducing it.
How's it affected Labour?
Although Mr Khan is a Labour mayor, the national party have made it clear he's going it alone as far as ULEZ is concerned. Labour HQ are clearly very worried that it could be a problematic issue at the next election. Keir Starmer was ice cold after the by-election defeat, saying ULEZ was the "reason we didn't win there yesterday". He added: "We've all got to reflect on that, including the mayor."
He didn't go as far as to call for a U-turn, but he did distance himself, stating: “In the end it’s a decision for the Mayor but I want him to reflect on that." But the result is believed to have led to Labour ditching a commitment to clean air zones across the UK.
Mr Beales, who stood in Uxbridge and South Ruislip for Labour, said ULEZ had “cut us off at the knees”. With a general election looming, don't expect Labour to be announcing any similar policies anytime soon.
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How about the Tories?
Well, things have been looking pretty bleak for Rishi Sunak and co for some time. So their unexpected victory in Uxbridge and South Ruislip was a rare glimmer of hope for a party staring down the barrel of electoral wipeout.
From the start the Conservatives have made it clear they don't support the expansion, with five Tory-led councils leading an unsuccessful legal challenge. And the by-election result was further confirmation to Rishi Sunak that opposing it could pay off at the polls.
Days later he began positioning himself as a friend of motorists, announcing a review of low traffic neighbourhoods. Perhaps inevitably many within his party - particularly those anxious about their seats - started to ask questions about the green agenda.
Backbencher Marco Longhi led calls for a Brexit-style referendum on whether to scrap the commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050 - despite it being a manifesto pledge. It followed a call by former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel to "pause" the legal obligation to cut greenhouse gas emissions in order to tackle the climate crisis.
What does Mr Khan say?
The London Mayor admitted that introducing ULEZ was a "difficult" decision, but said it was necessary. Speaking as the policy came into effect he said: “This is a landmark day for our city which will lead to a greener, healthier London for everyone. The decision to expand the ULEZ London-wide was a difficult one, but necessary to save lives, protect children’s lungs and help prevent asthma, dementia and other health issues."
He described clean air zones as a "gamechanger" and said it would see London reach its air quality within its legal limits in the next couple of years. Mr Khan added: “As Mayor, I’ve continued to listen to the concerns of Londoners, which is why we have massively expanded the scrappage scheme.
"This means all Londoners with non ULEZ-compliant cars can now get financial support to switch to greener, less polluting alternatives. We still have millions of pounds left in the scrappage scheme pot, so I encourage all Londoners who are impacted by ULEZ to apply today for the support we’ve made available."
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