C-charge threatens Kelly

David Ottewell

September 28, 2007

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AT RISK: Ruth Kelly

PLANS to introduce congestion charging across Greater Manchester could see Transport secretary Ruth Kelly could lose her Bolton West seat due to the congestion charge plans, a new survey suggests.

A poll of voters in the constituency found 76 per cent of people said they were `very' or `quite' unlikely to vote for Ms Kelly in a general election if road charging was introduced.

Ms Kelly will defend a majority of 2,064 at the next election - and her Conservative opponent will be Trafford council leader Susan Williams.

Ms Williams' council voted against submitting a £3bn bid to the government's Transport Innovation Fund - which would trigger a local congestion charge of up to £5 a day at peak hours.

However, the bid still went in because of the votes of a majority of councils in Greater Manchester.

Aspect Market Research carried out the telephone poll of 300 people, half in Bolton West and half in other parts of Bolton.

A total of 77 per cent said they did not agree that improved public transport should be funded by congestion charging.

And 61 per cent of people who voted for Ms Kelly at the last election in 2005 said they were `very' or `quite' unlikely to vote for her again.

Inevitable

The new poll came as Ms Kelly told the Labour conference that a pay-as-you-drive road network was ultimately `inevitable'. She said the economic cost of congestion would eventually force the government's hand.

"Ultimately some form of road pricing is inevitable," she said.

Ms Kelly said a national scheme was still a long way off and added that she wanted more councils to come forward with TIF bids.

The poll was commissioned by the Federation of Small Businesses.

A spokesman for the federation said: "These results show that people in Bolton do not agree with the notion of improved public transport funded by congestion charging.

"Neither the public or the business community are in favour of these plans. Every poll carried out, including the `official poll' conducted on behalf of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, showed the business community rejected plans for congestion charging. This latest poll reveals that the public are also against the idea.

"Despite this AGMA seem determined to go ahead with a scheme."

What do you think? Have your say.

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Showing comments 1 to 16 and replies | View All

Simon B, www.manchestertolltax.com (28/09/2007 at 06:19)

Can we have the general election now please.

The Catcher, In The Rye (28/09/2007 at 08:38)

I would happily have the congestion charge if it meant gettin rid of the opus dei influence on the government.

dessie, manchester (28/09/2007 at 09:48)

bye bye labour youve ruined this country more than the tories did.

paul teeque (28/09/2007 at 10:43)

Lets get these clowns out of power and get democracy back in Manchester

alvinlwh (28/09/2007 at 10:49)

Next election, I will vote for the party that is against C-charge and green tax. Any idea which one will that be?

rammylad, ramsbottom (28/09/2007 at 10:57)

I wrote to the lovely Ruth when Dicky and his wacky friends stuck their fingers in their ears and wasted £10m of council tax payers money.

Did she reply? Did she acknowledge the letter? Did she have any opinion at all?

Did she heck. Good bye Ruth.

paul teeque (28/09/2007 at 11:03)

Ruth seems quite pinnacle along with Dicky in the whole C-charge farce. Her fall will hopefully be the straw which breaks the camels back.

ace, manchester (28/09/2007 at 12:28)

paul teeque
What amazes me about manchester voters .everytime we have a local election the people of manchester vote this looney labour lot back? after all the money they waste and the terrible record thety have in manchester is a mystery to me. giving themselves a pat on the back for regeneration .(after they allowed their council homes to fall into dissrepair" after years of them spending money on other things exept the homes the voters live in? people living in terrible housing run by this labour council and they vote them back in time after time????

paul teeque (28/09/2007 at 13:51)

Ace, I too am puzzled by Manchesters past voting. I think its more an ignorance to Labours bad points.

More people need educating as to the lack of democracy that now exists thanks to Dicky and his crew.

Things should be very different at the next ballot. Word of mouth has spread very fast RE the CON Charge fiasco.

Paul

S P In exile, Tameside (28/09/2007 at 14:23)

I live in the constituency of Stalybridge and Hyde I wrote to my MP to let him know that I was against the whole idea of any congestion charge, I also put forward my own views for improving traffic flow in the rush hour.

He replied with a resounding confirmation of being in favour and the reply sounded like all the other MPs and councillors spiel who are in favour.

wkdboy1, Woodley (29/09/2007 at 00:11)

I live in Stockport where my local Council and MP's do not agree with congestion charge, Lib Dems. If you contact them we get a response right away with details on how they do not support it and results on their own poll they have compiled, seems labour does not care what its owners think and will just do want they want to line their own pockets, what shocks me is the amount of people who vote for them but do not agree with anything they introduce, maybe people should do their research and realise not to vote labour in the future, for some reason, i think it is too late. they rushed it through before we had chance to get the out.

Bill App, Warrington (29/09/2007 at 08:57)

I cannot see any possible reason for flying in the face of public feeling (Businesses and also individuals) with a scheme that is universally despised.

This is Labours poll tax issue and will be their downfall.

I have always voted Labour in any election and am so enraged by this issue that I will protest vote on this issue, despite any other issue. I will vote for the highest placed non Labour candidate to oust CC pro candidates.

We might end up with those so elected bringing in other ludicrous policies but at least we won't have the CCC (Congesstion Charge Con)

Dave Sherwood, Hollins Green (29/09/2007 at 09:03)

Ace I certainly agree with you,I blame the voters for Labour staying in power,I know many people who will not vote,their attitude is one party is as bad as the next,my answer is how do you know. Salford and Manchester have not had an alternative party for as long as I can remember.As for the people of Salford I cannot understand them,they are squeezed of every penny they have, terrible services and yet Labour still keep getting in.I have two relatives both Councillors and they admit they do not even have to canvass,people just vote labour out of habit, they are too lazy to go the polls and give another party the chance.After all, if you never try you will never know.

ace, manchester (29/09/2007 at 12:47)

Dave Sherwood, Hollins Green
The one i hear all the tome from the "Voting sheep" is my dad always voted labour so i do? The politicians of britain must all think theve got it made? all they do is when they get thrown out they just change from conservative to labour ,just like blair did and he ended up primeminister???.Whatever happened to a politician with any conviction for their party.

Tony North-Hearn, Stockport (30/09/2007 at 12:17)

I for one am fed up with Scots running our country,just look at the present cabinet,all the top jobs and senior ministers are Scots,Funny how Scotland refuses certain things and they are implemented in England.Labour have been in power too long we need a new brush to sweep clean.Brown is just giving us promises of things to come.What about the things he is going to take off us if he gets in.after he has introduced more taxes than any other chancellor.Perhaps Labour should change it name to the ScotEnglish party.

paul teeque (01/10/2007 at 10:46)

If we can make everyone we know aware of the whole Con Charge farse and the fact labour need knocking off the haystack word of mouth is one of the best methods going!

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