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Celerity

(47,149 posts)
Fri Jul 21, 2023, 07:30 PM Jul 2023

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

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.

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