Tory MP warns in opposition to roll again on inexperienced pledges after anti-Ulez by-election win
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London Tory MP has warned in opposition to rolling again on inexperienced insurance policies after a marketing campaign in opposition to the Ulez enlargement led to a shock by-election victory for the Conservatives in Uxbridge.
David Simmonds, MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, mentioned his celebration ought to “refrain from drawing wider conclusions about environmental action” after the Tories retained Boris Johnson’s former seat by fewer than 500 votes final week.
But Mr Simmonds mentioned tackling air pollution and local weather change “remains overwhelmingly popular nationwide”.
“If we vacate this space, we’ll hand an electorally potent issue to the Labour Party before the next election,” Mr Simmonds wrote in ConservativeHome.
“Instead, we must continue to be an environmentally ambitious political party focusing on action that lowers people’s bills, creates jobs, and unlocks investment.”
Labour had been the overwhelming favourites to win the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election after Mr Johnson give up the seat.
But Tory Steve Tuckwell received the vote after campaigning ferociously in opposition to the enlargement of Mayor Sadiq Khan’s clear air zone.
Following the depend, the Hillingdon councillor admitted that he had run an “incredibly single minded” campaign that had been in “complete opposition to Ulez from the outset”.
Sir Keir Starmer and Labour candidate Danny Beales blamed the coverage for Labour’s slender defeat.
It additionally dragged the Conservatives into an inner row over setting coverage.
Michael Gove warned his colleagues in opposition to “treating the cause of the environment as a religious crusade”.
Former minister Zac Goldsmith, who give up the federal government over Rishi Sunak’s local weather insurance policies, mentioned it could be “cynical and idiotic” to scrap setting measures on the again of a single by-election consequence.
But Jacob Rees-Mogg mentioned the Tories had a “real chance” at successful the following election in the event that they rowed again on inexperienced insurance policies.
The Ulez is because of develop to the outer London boundary on August 29. The results of a High Court struggle in opposition to the scheme enlargement, launched by 5 Tory councils, is anticipated this week.
The newest TfL information exhibits that the proportion of vehicles complying with the Ulez emission rules in the existing zone has risen to 95.3 per cent – and 96.6 per cent for automobiles.