The ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) is a clean air policy that applies to all cars, motorcycles and vans entering the centre of London, enforcing lower emission standards or charging a daily rate of £12.50. Announced in 2014 by then Mayor of London - Boris Johnson, later introduced by his successor Sadiq Khan in April 2019. Although not particularly stringent since most vehicles already comply with the restrictions, it's a step in the right direction to remove the most polluting machines from the roads.

By 29th August 2023 it's set to extend it's boundaries to encompass all London boroughs, a minor victory for environmental policy and a great improvement to our air quality. However, despite the clear and necessary benefits, it's faced stern opposition. In Uxbridge, the public humiliation and subsequent exile from politics of Boris Johnson after months of legal inquiries, forfeit his parliamentary seat for the district ahead of schedule.

A surprise by-election in Uxbridge

Forcing a spontaneous election to fill the vacant spot, all parties suddenly scrabbled to get their propaganda promotional material in order and distributed to the masses, some more copiously than others. Quickly a common theme emerged - disapproval of upcoming plans to extend the ULEZ, this was repeated over and again using different words and with different people's faces on the cover. The source of all of this messaging? The Conservative party, the very same party currently in government that was spearheaded by Boris just a few years earlier, the same that originally proposed the scheme only nine years ago.

Suddenly there was such concern over the elderly, veterans and small businesses being unable to comply with the 'tyrannical' emissions restrictions:

• Euro 4 for petrol cars and vans (generally vehicles registered from 2006)

• Euro 6 for diesel cars and vans (generally vehicles registered from September 2015)

• Euro VI for buses, coaches and HGVs (generally vehicles registered from January 2013)

The typical method was used to incite fear of change, uncertainty of the future and doubt over results and public spending. Steve Tuckwell, the new Uxbridge conservative candidate, the smiling face in front of the monolithic corporations hiding behind privately funded democratic parties and their personal interests, always touted as the people's local man who stands up for what they want, has been extremely vocal on the matter yet confusingly contradictory to his predecessor and verified climate science.

ULEZ expansion goes ahead

As of the 4th August 2023, the largest scrappage scheme ever seen in the UK was implemented by Mayor Khan, offering up to £2,000 for all Londoners to trade in their non-compliant vehicle and help fund purchase of a, albeit only moderately, cleaner one:

• Scrappage grants of up to £2,000 will be available to every single Londoner with a non-compliant car or motorcycle

• The scrappage payment for vans will increase from £5,000 to £7,000.

• Small businesses and sole traders will be able to scrap three vans or minibuses in addition to increasing retrofit payments from £5,000 to £6,000.

• Charities with increased payments available for minibuses from £7,000 to £9,000, and disabled Londoners will see wheelchair adapted vehicle grants double. 

• 90 percent of cars seen driving in outer London on an average day are already ULEZ-compliant

Source: https://www.london.gov.uk/media-centre/mayors-press-release/MAYOR-ANNOUNCES-SCRAPPAGE-EXPANSION

Clearly there is no angle to argue that it will not improve air quality and greatly benefit everybody's health, and obviously there are ways to work around any issues of financial difficulty that might prevent all from enjoying this, so how on earth should it be fought against? They use the typical tactic of rallying against change, against the unknown, the apparent imposition of being 'forced' to do something, even for the benefit of yourself and everyone else on the planet.

These tactics work. That's why they're used. The Conservative party has a legacy arsenal of methods to employ to hit just the right note at the right time with seemingly endless funding to do so. 50% of all campaign leaflets received were funded and distributed by their hand, 10 to 1 against any singular candidate. With that amount of incessant, repeated noise it's inevitable to drown out common sense, scattering votes across little distractions that mimic the parent in most ways except name, to prevent them being used against their only real competition - the Labour Party.

The predictable results

The Conservatives won the seat by just a few hundred votes, keeping their place as they have the last twelve years by honing their craft and turning the right lever. Regardless, the expansion of the ULEZ goes ahead and Londoners will soon be able to breathe slightly cleaner toxic fumes, whilst the recently victorious Coucillor Tuckwell has already defaulted on his primary promise.

Hopefully the ban on sale of new combustion vehicles is fully enforced by 2030 at least, obviously the full promotion of the switch from combustion to electric would be ideal now, but that dreamland exists in a parallel universe we cannot access. For now we must focus on fighting to improve this reality as much and as quickly as possible, by supporting legitimate candidates that honestly believe in what they say and most importantly, know that it's in the public's best interest, not their sponsor’s. Until then, we shall remain at the whims of those with the unlimited money and motivation to achieve only what they want.

Democracy requires constant support to prevent bad actors from gaming the system, we're all accountable to make our voice heard and in doing so we shall overshadow them. Citizens of the world, make sure that the people who represent you politically are regularly reminded who put them there and what you want them to do for you!