Keir Starmer heaps pressure on Sadiq Khan to delay ULEZ expansion plans amid Labour split
LABOUR’S top politicians are now in open conflict over ULEZ — with Sadiq Khan being pressed to delay its expansion.
Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves piled pressure on the London Mayor to rethink the August introduction of the ultra low emission zone in all boroughs.
Ms Reeves told The Sun it’s “not the right time” to whack drivers with extra fees.
Mr Khan is set to confirm that businesses under 50 employees won’t pay the £12.50 charge, or anyone on child benefits.
Sir Keir has held crisis talks with him about the expansion, which he blamed for Labour’s loss in the Uxbridge by-election.
But the Mayor is determined to press ahead with his plans to try and clean up the capital’s air — with two in five Londoners set to be affected by the charge.
Ms Reeves told The Sun that “yes”, ULEZ had lost Uxbridge for Labour.
She said: “It came up on the doorstep all the time.”
She continued: “The richest people are able to upgrade their car every two or three years… it’s a tax on people with older cars, it’s not a progressive tax.”
Ms Reeves concluded: “With the cost of living, it doesn’t feel like the right time to clobber people with extra charges.”
While Sir Keir yesterday told the BBC he wanted the Mayor to “reflect” on the expansion.
A source close to Mr Khan stated: “The Mayor continues to listen closely to Londoners.”