The one major issue that could derail Sadiq Khan's London Mayoral bid
EXCLUSIVE: Claire Turner believes anger has been building for some time in the outer London boroughs into which the scheme was expanded last year.
Sadiq Khan’s hopes for securing a third term as London Mayor next week could still be damaged by a ULEZ backlash, an activist concerned about the impact of the emissions policy on London motorists has claimed.
The Labour incumbent is a hot favourite to be re-elected on May 2 - but Claire Turner, who posts on the Stop ULEZ message forum, suggested things might not be quite that clear cut.
She told Express.co.uk: “Will the ULEZ extension affect the voting public and to what extent?
“I think the anger at Sadiq Khan for expanding ULEZ is much bigger than people or even the polls realise.”
She explained: “I have spoken to so many people over the last year and they are frustrated at the way the expansion was brought in.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“Some have been forced to sell reliable, well-maintained cars and had to take out loans for replacements.
“They are getting on with their lives, but they have not forgiven him and want to punish him at the ballot box. Others are just fed up with being dictated to when it comes to choosing their mode of transport.”
Air quality was simply “not seen as an issue” in many of the outer boroughs, and the expanded area introduced last year was seen as “far too wide”, not least among Ms Turner’s friends, family, as well as businesses just outside the zone.
She continued: “The ULEZ expansion has also put the spotlight on Sadiq Khan and his other failings as Mayor.
Don't miss...
'ULEZ will go on day one because it is nothing but a tax on the poorest' [INSIGHT]
‘Never your fault’ - Sadiq Khan blasted for avoiding blame for his mistakes [ANALYSIS]
Susan Hall erupts at 'outrageous comment' by Sadiq Khan during LBC live debate [PICTURES]
“Knife crime is an issue in all boroughs but recent incidents in Sutton and Beckenham for example, on or close to London transport, have brought that focus closer to home.
“Many people in the outer boroughs who felt disconnected from London, and didn't bother to vote last time, are now fully aware of the effect that the Mayor can have on their lives, and they are not happy with the current one. Hopefully this will lead to a much bigger turnout than last time.”
Referring to the Tory candidate, Ms Turner added: “If Susan Hall does get elected, I believe ULEZ will have paid a big part and it will send a message to all parties, much like the upset it caused for when the Tories held Uxbridge.
“ULEZ on this scale is not acceptable and other cities, possibly all over Europe due to Sadiq Khan's connection with C40 cities, will be looking on with interest.”
A Savanta poll published today for the Mile End Institute at Queen Mary University of London gave Mr Khan his smallest ever lead over Ms Hall - 13 percent. Mr Khan was on 46 percent, with his Conservative challenger, who has pledged to scrap ULEZ, on 33 percent.
Commenting on the contest earlier this week, pollster Sir John Curtice, Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde, nevertheless suggested an upset was unlikely.
Nevertheless he acknowledged: “He won't do so well as his party would do in a general election because he's not particularly personally popular.
“Sunak is certainly doing better in inner London than outerLondon and also in terms of we may find that his vote holds up better in inner London than it does in outer London so for the folk of outer London it maybe does make some difference.”
