Apparently the Liberal Democrats have chosen Rob Blackie as their candidate for London Mayor. The hotly-contested race saw the 50-year old digital marketer defeat someone called Chris French, who is also standing for the London Assembly. Blackie was shortlisted for the candidacy previously, only to lose out. This time he’s just about managed it.
Blackie told the BBC after his barnstorming win:
“The Liberal Democrats have a bold alternative plan; I have worked on climate change my entire life and I believe it’s important we take action. Sadiq Khan has been asleep on the job and the Conservatives have been discredited due to their failure to address the cost-of-living crisis.”
The LibDems got 4.4% of the first round vote in 2021. Even the Greens beat them. Next year’s election will be first past the post – good luck, Rob…
Sadiq Khan has praised the High Court’s ruling that his ULEZ expansion is lawful, and vowed to push ahead with the “hard decision” next month despite the growing opposition within Labour circles. He told Sky News this afternoon:
“It was a hard decision for me to make to expand the ULEZ. I welcome the decision from the High Court today, because it means we can go head on the 29th August and expand it so those in outer London, who breathe the worst air, five million Londoners… for me clean air isn’t a privilege, it’s a human right. Nobody would accept dirty water, why dirty air?”
Of course that doesn’t mean he’s particularly worried about the air pollution on the tube, which is far worse. He has at least announced an expansion of the ULEZ scrappage scheme to Londoners on Child Benefit. Whether that’s good enough for Rachel Reeves – who yesterday said now isn’t the time to “clobber” London with the expansion – is another question…
The High Court has ruled that Sadiq Khan’s planned expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone to Greater London is lawful, and can go ahead as planned next month. Motorists with non-compliant cars will have to start saving their pennies for the £12.50 daily charge…
Tory Mayoral candidate Susan Hall has already vowed to stop the expansion:
“While it is a shame the High Court did not find the ULEZ expansion to be unlawful, there is no denying that Sadiq Khan’s plans will have a devastating impact on families and businesses across the city. If I am elected Mayor, I will stop the ULEZ expansion on day one and set up a £50m pollution hotspots fund to tackle the issue where it is, instead of taxing people where it isn’t.”
Now for Sadiq to go back to “reflecting” on whether this is a good idea, as per Sir Keir’s instructions…
You would think a record breaking by-election victory would be enough to quell the internal tensions in the Labour Party, at least for the time being. Well, apparently not. After a week of in-fighting over the two-child benefit cap, yet another cause for conflict has emerged. As the party begins to dissect their unexpected Uxbridge loss, the leadership has pinned the blame on one culprit: Sadiq Khan and his ULEZ expansion. There is another explanation…
Senior party figures have been quick to turn on Sadiq and his punitive policy. This morning, Angela Rayner told BBC Breakfast that Labour should “listen to the voters” adding:
“People are really concerned about how, during a cost of living crisis, that they’re going to be imposed with a Ulez charge that they can’t afford”.
She wasn’t alone…
Keir Starmer also added his voice to criticisms. He said “ULEZ was the reason we didn’t win” and added “we’ve all got to reflect on that, including the mayor.” Sadiq, meanwhile, is stubbornly sticking by the policy. He still insists “the policy to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone is the right one”. Guido awaits yet another Labour U-Turn.
Susan Hall has been announced as the Conservative candidate for Mayor of London following a vote from Conservative members. The final results were:
Susan Hall – 57%
Moz Hossain – 43%
Neil Garratt AM, the Leader of City Hall Conservatives, welcomed Susan’s selection and said:
“Congratulations to my colleague Susan Hall on becoming Conservative Candidate for Mayor of London! Susan has been holding the Mayor to account for many years and is the absolute right person to take on this challenge. I’m looking forward to continuing working with her as she puts forward her vision for London.”
Now she’s just got to beat Sadiq…
Robert Buckland tells Guido he is backing Moz Hossain for London Mayor. The former Cabinet Minister revealed his endorsement this afternoon:
“Moz is the candidate who will defeat Sadiq Khan next May. His remarkable story will command Londoners’ attention and his 21 years experience as a criminal barrister and now KC make him best placed to litigate the case against Sadiq Khan. I’m honoured to be supporting him and I urge my fellow Conservatives in London to vote for him to be our candidate for Mayor.”
Moz also has the support of Priti Patel and Iain Duncan Smith. Three big beasts rowing behind the wildcard – will it be enough? Six days to go…
