Drivers hero takes on Sadiq Khan to be London Mayor – vowing to ditch hated ULEZ and keep fuel duty taxes down
MOTORISTS’ champion Howard Cox who has saved drivers billions of pounds in fuel costs will take on Sadiq Khan to be London Mayor.
The driving campaigner will take the fight to the elected Labour chief vowing to stand up for the capital’s five million drivers.
The FairFuel UK founder will ditch the controversial clean air Ultra Low Emission Zone that costs non-compliant vehicles £12.50 a day - which will be expanded to all Greater London at the end of August.
Analysts say the controversial clean air zone expansion, which started in 2017, could hit the capital’s economy by £500 million every year hitting business.
As part of his drive for City Hall, the Reform Party candidate will also abolish existing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods to reduce the number of vehicles going through residential streets.
Barriers, road signs and bollards all restrict motors but their backers say they are helping to tackle climate change and boosting the number of cyclists.
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Mr Cox, who will launch his campaign tomorrow, says he has stopped more than £200 billion of planned tax rises to help keep fuel duty frozen since 2010.
He told The Sun: “Anyone who lives or travels in and out of London under Khan’s regime can see the vast social and economic damage he has done to our brilliant capital.
Research shows there are 1.2 million non-ULEZ compliant vehicles in the commuter belt which face being stung with the crippling costs.
“Today, millions struggle to get a doctor’s appointment, have seen their communities infested with rising crime and violence and can’t afford to drive into their city.
“We’ve seen low-income families, workers, sole traders, and businesses fleeced by this Mayor’s anti-growth agenda.
“It’s time someone stood up for millions of ordinary Londoners who are the heartbeat of our capital.
“They don’t need another elitist politician only interested in self-promotion through baseless virtue signalling.
“Now is the time to tackle the issues that really matter. As Mayor I will listen to Londoners and guarantee to act on their behalf. London deserves better.”
He will promise to “Scrap Ulez, Cut Crime and Ditch Khan” ahead of the mayoral race that takes place in May next year.
London Mayor Mr Khan revealed the ULEZ expansion last November saying it was to tackle the threats of air pollution, climate emergency and congestion.
He highlighted that Londoners have been developing life-changing illnesses such as cancer and lung disease when he made the announcement.
But Reform Party Leader Richard Tice said: “Only Howard Cox can defeat Sadiq Khan. He will be the only candidate who will get London moving by scrapping all ULEZs, and LTNs and he has a huge following amongst London drivers.
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“The Tories cannot win in London, their brand is broken beyond repair, they will merely split the anti Khan vote. They already know that their supporters and donors agree with Reform UK’s policies.
“They should do the right thing for London and stand aside, as we did the right thing for the country and stood aside for them in 2019.”