Politicians happy to sacrifice strategies on climate change

Yes, sadly spot on Luckygirl.

I was pleased to see that Sadiq Khan did not allow himself to be bullied by Starmer.

Well, ULEZ was conceived by the Conservative Party, something that Labour failed to get across to the electorate. I would assume that, by saying it needs looking at he means finding a way of making it more workable. Anyway, it’s the electorate that stated their opinion at the election by being more concerned about their finances than the environment. Understandable up to a point but what are Labour to do if the electorate decide to vote, en mass against a party that puts the environment first?

Sometimes governments have to do unpopular things. some people are more concerned about being able to drive gas guzzling polluting cars that thinking about improving public services, transport, our water and air.

Wish we could give a thumbs up, or down on this very divisive subject. A gas guzzling car, many don't have a choice, public transport decimated in rural areas, because hey ho, cars became king. What should we do, 20 minute walk to bus stop, poor mobility. Kids can't get into nearest school, so have to be taken by car. What should we do. How many of you pontificating on here, have a gas guzzling car, to run your busi ess, carry your tools and equipment. I wonder. Kahn is like a mad man finding power at his elbow, he won't be out of work, because he can't afford to pay ulez charge will he. Too much without much thought.

Freya5

Wish we could give a thumbs up, or down on this very divisive subject. A gas guzzling car, many don't have a choice, public transport decimated in rural areas, because hey ho, cars became king. What should we do, 20 minute walk to bus stop, poor mobility. Kids can't get into nearest school, so have to be taken by car. What should we do. How many of you pontificating on here, have a gas guzzling car, to run your busi ess, carry your tools and equipment. I wonder. Kahn is like a mad man finding power at his elbow, he won't be out of work, because he can't afford to pay ulez charge will he. Too much without much thought.

It was conceived by Johnson and Khan had to agree to it: something about funding he got for the pandemic.

The only way we're going to get people out of their cars is to provide good, reasonably priced, integrated public transport. Until that happens there's little chance of change. The only agency that can do that is the government. This government won't do it because the tories are ideologically opposed to providing public services. Labour is terrified of appearing to be spendthrift, so don't seem to be making public transport provision a policy. Though they might change once in power...
In the meantime, suggestions to cut down car use, like 15 minute cities, are spun as a conspiracy to trap everyone in their own localities...

In a democracy of the kind we have it is necessary that politicians persuade voters of the right thing to do. There is no other way forward. Being deceptive always comes home to roost because the voters are not complete fools. At least, I hope that's the way it works.

It's a bugger when people use their democratic vote in a way we dont like it.

Galaxy

It's a bugger when people use their democratic vote in a way we dont like it.

Care to elucidate?

If people on low wages decide that charges such as the ULEZ arent what they want to vote for then that is going to be interesting.

I have been puzzling this thread.

Now I realise why I was confused.
Surely MPs are supposed to serve the people, not the other way around.
The people vote against UL:EZ so none of that. Or a variation.

We can hope that the messaging will be clearer so that people are not fooled into thinking that they would be liable for an ULEZ charge when the vast majority won't. (Including the man in Uxbridge with a Tesla on the drive).
It is hard to imagine "the people" voting against ULEZ if they live in the shires.
I suspect people are actually more concerned about air quality and climate change than the Government thinks.

Th

That might not be the case if it hits them in the pocket or just personally. You should see the opposition to solar farms in my rural area.

I live in one of the outlying boroughs and there has been huge opposition to ULEZ extension.

A lot of the problem is that many workmen/delivery drivers etc have older vans - if their costs rise, the consumer pays more.

Many carers, working in care homes or providing care at home, with older cars, will have to pay to go to work.

I understood in Central London, but my borough is pretty clean anyway.

The Tories understand what a vote loser it is.

The Tories made it a vote loser by their propaganda.

They could have chosen grown up politics recognising and explaining the crises and why we absolutely must mitigate against global warming. How this will work, who will be affected etc.

But no, they chose to tell half truths and spread worry.

We now have a PM who says he is “car friendly” whatever that means, and apparently intent on ensuring cars can go faster and enter previously barred areas.

I live in a ULEZ area, and there is alot of opposition to it.
The people who are affected are people who cannot afford to change their vans that they rely on for work, carers, and other low paid jobs.
It's all very well people agreeing with ULEZ, people who can afford to change their cars, or people who do not rely on it for work, their principles do not help other people put food on the table. some businesses will also be affected as well.
I drive an older car, which is compliant, but if it was not, it would cause my daughter childcare difficulties, as I drive over to hers to collect my Grandson from school the days she is not working from home, it us not on a direct bus or train route.

It's interesting watching at the moment, it is really not a good idea for the left to ignore the concerns of those who will be impacted the most, those on social media etc may be the loudest they are however quite a small section of society.
I think labour have begun to understand that.

So, how are we going to combat climate change if no one is prepared to do anything that impacts negatively on their lives?

This is why it is so hard to get the green agenda through legislatures - and why groups are taking drastic steps disrupting national events. Green policies require sacrifices, and no government wishes to impose these for fear of losing votes.

Democracy is a fine thing on the surface, but throws up these problems.

MayBee70

So, how are we going to combat climate change if no one is prepared to do anything that impacts negatively on their lives?

Tell that to people who are doing minimum wage jobs who cannot afford to change their cars/vans, tell that to people these people care for the vunerable ect.
It's easy to talk if it does not affect your standard of living, or you are comfortably off.

Yes I am agog at people slagging off India for its emissions whilst sitting in their very comfortable homes, probably owning a car and all the latest tech.

Some areas are well served by public transport. I'm on a Borders Bus, which goes into Edinburgh city centre every half hour My concessionary pass means it costs me nothing.
It's a double decker and carries bikes, wheelchairs, buggies and dogs.and more than 50 passengers.
Some of the.newer buses carry 100.

Here is my view