Conservatives are ‘working behind the scenes’ to stop ULEZ

Conservative MPs are working ‘vigorously’ behind the scenes to stop Sadiq Khan’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) expansion according to a London councillor. Simon Fawthrop from Bromley London Borough Council admitted MPs he knew were coming up with a plan with just two weeks remaining until the scheme is launched. He opened up on the issue as former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage revealed how the Tories could stop Sunak’s car tax scheme. He outlined that the Transport Secretary can invoke Article 143 of the Greater London Authority Act to suspend Khan’s programme. The rule states that the Secretary of State can change policies if he considers that ‘the transport strategy is inconsistent with national policies relating to transport’. Conservative MPs are working on ULEZ ‘behind the scenes’ (Image: GB News) When pushed by Farage on why Conservative MPs were staying quiet on the issue, Fawthrop outlined that discussions were taking place. He told GB News : ‘I suspect and in fairness to the ones that I know, they are pressing buttons behind the scenes vigorously. ‘If it’s a game of space invaders they are going like this trying to get the hit. Everyone knows how damaging this is. ‘As the Conservative Party, we shouldn’t play politics with this issue because ultimately those people are suffering. ‘To stand up for those poor elderly and frail people is the right thing to do and that will give us so much credibility and I hope we continue in that way.’ Drivers will soon be hit with £12.50 daily fees (Image: Getty) The new ULEZ scheme will introduce daily £12.50 fees to Outer London boroughs from the end of the month. It could see motorists slapped with £375 per month charges if they use their vehicles every day. The Conservatives have campaigned heavily against the scheme with four Tory-run councils challenging the idea in the High Court. However, the Labour mayor came out on top after lawyers claimed the system could be ‘legally’ launched. But, the Conservatives are still holding the political advantage on the issue after holding onto Boris Johnson’s former seat in Uxbridge. Local Tories successfully turned the election into a battle over ULEZ and edged out Labour despite the opposition’s success rate in the national polls. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has also cooled to ULEZ after frontbenchers suggested the scheme likely cost them by-election victory. Farage called upon the Conservatives to use their powers to stop the scheme to help millions of motorists set to be affected. He explained: ‘There’s been a big change in this and at the moment the Conservatives do not support this ULEZ charge. “And interestingly, nor does Sir Keir Starmer because not only as he said he would not support ULEZ-style zones going around other towns and cities in this country, he’s also now said he’s opposed to this one. “So the Conservatives have a chance to delay all of this. And yes, of course, Sadiq Khan may take them to a judicial review to test the law, but that would kick the can way down the road, certainly past the Mayoral elections next May and even perhaps quite close to the next general election. “This is something the Conservatives could do that would boost their popularity and, frankly, I think split the Labour Party in many ways.’