Keir Starmer calls for Sadiq Khan to 'reflect' on Ulez expansion after surprise by-election loss

[Emrys]

1. Starmer needs to reflect on the importance of offering the electorate something other than

"Tory-lite" fronted by a charismaless stuffed shirt with no principles or backbone.

The London ULEZ was introduced by Boris Johnson when he was London mayor in 2015:

Mayor confirms world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone.
...
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “The world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone is an essential measure to help improve air quality in our city, protect the health of Londoners, and lengthen our lead as the greatest city on earth. With additional funds announced today, more help is on the way for taxi drivers to support their transition to the latest technology in greener cabs. Together we can ensure everyone who lives, works in, or visits our city has the cleanest possible air to breathe.”

https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/ultra-low-emission-zone

Now, for some reason, he's changed his tune:

Boris Johnson slams expansion of Ulez that he created while mayor
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/ulez-expansion-london-boris-johnson-daily-mirror-column-b1093044.html

Everybody knows that Johnson doesn't feel bound by the same rules as everyone else, including regarding consistency from day to day. Matching him at his game isn't a winning look for Labour:

On Friday Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer backed Mr Khan over his expansion proposal, telling LBC: “I accept that the mayor has no choice but to go ahead because of the legal obligation on him.”
...
It comes after Labour candidate Danny Beales in Uxbridge and South Ruislip - Mr Johnson’s former constituency - called for a delay to the zone’s extension due to the rising cost of living, despite previously defending the policy.

... Starmer said it was “right” for the Uxbridge candidate to “stand up” for his potential constituents but argued Mr Khan had been left with no “wriggle room” on the issue.

The Opposition leader told LBC he recognised that the move would cause “pain” and it would be “a lot of money” for motorists to have to pay during the current cost-of-living crisis.

But he said it was “important to make clear” that there was a “legal obligation on the mayor to take measures” in relation to air pollution.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/ulez-expansion-london-boris-johnson-daily-mirror-column-b1093044.html

That legal obligation is because Tory Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps twisted Sadiq Khan's arm to reintroduce and expand ULEZ as a condition of extra funding for Transport for London in the recovery period during the aftermath of COVID:



If Labour chickens out so easily even when faced with wide open goals like these against blatant Tory humbug, who can trust them to govern or believe any campaign promises they make?

Maybe Labour would have won the byelection if they hadn't parachuted in a raw Starmer fanboy as candidate and actually demonstrated some principles and vision beyond "there isn't any money" for a change.