So in London we have another 4 years of Sadiq Khan as Mayor. That will certainly mean higher Council taxes and more taxes on motorists. Sadiq Khan helped himself to win the election by promising free school meals to primary pupils and no rises in public transport fares – paid for out of your taxes of course.
With a possible Labour Government in Parliament, the outlook is indeed bleak for financial prudency. Labour have promised to “renationalise” the railways when part of the rail network is already in Government ownership and all of it is very heavily subsidised. The Taxpayers Alliance have published a note on this subject showing how misconceived it is – see https://www.taxpayersalliance.com/briefing_railway_renationalisation . As the article points out, “Three of the four largest subsidies given to franchises in 2022-23 were given to renationalised railway services with £697 million, £602 million and £402 million given to ScotRail, Northern and South Eastern respectively”. That’s not peanuts!
Boris Johnson has pointed out that Transport for London (TfL) has been “bankrupted” by Sadiq Khan and he is right. Massive subsidies coming out of taxpayers and motorist’s pockets are the only thing keeping it afloat. Khan wants billions more pounds in subsidies which he might get from a Labour Government, or from a London road tax which he has already asked for.
Three ways that taxes are likely to be raised in London on motorists are by ULEZ schemes, LTNs and road charging “pay per mile” schemes. There is a new Parliamentary Petition you can sign to enable these to be controlled by Government. Please sign it: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/659730
There is also a Public Consultation on “Restricting the Generation of Surplus Funds from Traffic Contraventions” from the Department for Transport – see https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/restricting-the-generation-of-surplus-funds-from-traffic-contraventions . This is definitely worth responding to as it is clear that many local councils are abusing their powers simply because they wish to raise money to fill their budget holes. It’s not about improving road safety or regulating traffic or parking.
Roger Lawson
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Yes 4 more years of Genghis Khan 40.5% means a poor turnout in which 59.5% did not vote for anyone and Khans share of the vote taking all 6m + eligible to vote means he represents 16% of Londoners hardly a mandate to be proud of so why did so many fail to turn up at the polls?
Susan Hall did not do enough to get Londoners of their backsides so we all suffer as a result.
Chris R
Hi Roger. Another good article..In response to genesis Khan promising free school meals to primary school kids. Does this somehow in the back of my mind sound like it is an illegal way of using public money to buy off voters. He found £ 30 million for the tfl underground drivers who still go on strike. So where has the money for the meals come from. I KNOW. Pay- per mile. Two people in this world that need to be put in an asylum ( Khan & putting. ).