Rishi Sunak pledges to protect drivers from punitive measures and road taxes

The Conservative Party has vowed to reverse the expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) if they win the upcoming general election. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a commitment to introduce a “Backing Drivers Bill” in the first parliamentary session after the July 4 election. This bill aims to halt the controversial pay-per-mile road taxes and eliminate blanket low traffic neighbourhoods that restrict local driving.

Sunak positioned the Conservatives as the party in support of drivers, accusing Labour of waging a “war on drivers,” particularly in London. He said, “We have a clear plan to keep motoring costs under control and ensure people have the freedom to drive as they need in their daily lives.” Sunak further emphasised that the Conservatives would empower drivers and residents to challenge traffic measures such as low traffic neighbourhoods, which he claimed were imposed without local consent.

The ULEZ expansion, which was extended by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to cover all of Greater London in August 2023, has been criticised by the Tories for making life difficult for thousands of drivers, particularly those who struggle with the cost of accessing essential services or workplaces. Mayor Khan has defended the policy, stating that he is not “anti-motorist” and clarified that he favours safer driving speeds, advocating for a reduction to 20mph zones to prevent accidents and reduce fatalities.

The Conservatives, however, argue that these restrictions are unnecessary and curtail people’s freedoms, with some local Labour politicians reportedly looking into implementing pay-per-mile taxes, which would charge drivers based on the distance they travel, the time of day, and the vehicle they use. In response, the Tories have promised to invest £8.3 billion, redirected from the HS2 project, to repair roads and address potholes, including an additional £235 million specifically for London’s infrastructure.

Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, added, “We will reverse Sadiq Khan’s unfair ULEZ expansion and rule out any blanket 20mph zones because we are on the side of drivers.” He also reiterated that the Conservatives would not introduce pay-per-mile road taxes and would continue supporting drivers against what he described as Labour’s taxing policies.

Labour responded to the Conservatives’ proposals, with a spokesperson accusing the government of desperation. They pointed out that the Tories’ record on road maintenance, including potholes, has been abysmal, and car insurance costs have skyrocketed. Labour’s spokesperson stated, “We will tackle rip-off car insurance costs and remove planning barriers to improve transport infrastructure, leaving local communities, not Westminster politicians, to decide on safe school streets and local traffic measures.”

The debate surrounding ULEZ and other driving-related policies is expected to be a significant issue in the upcoming election, with both parties presenting contrasting visions for the future of transport in the UK.