Tag: General Election

UK Government announces new long-term plan to back motorists

Plan for drivers ‘will sit alongside continued investment in public transport and active travel’

  • new long-term government plan will support drivers and put the brakes on anti-car measures
  • plan will address drivers’ everyday concerns with new measures to keep traffic moving, make parking simpler, and clamp down on overrunning road works
  • guidance to be reviewed on 20mph limits and low traffic neighbourhoods in England to ensure local support, ending blanket imposition of anti-driver policies

Transport Secretary Mark Harper has set out plans to protect drivers from over-zealous traffic enforcement, as part of a long-term government plan to back drivers.  

With 50 million people holding a driving licence in Great Britain and more than 40 million licensed vehicles in the UK, the government’s new plan will support the majority who drive, by keeping motoring costs under control and ensure people have the freedom to drive as they need to in their daily lives.

The measures include reviewing guidance on 20mph speed limits in England to prevent their blanket use in areas where it’s not appropriate and amending guidance on low traffic neighbourhoods to focus on local consent.

As part of the ongoing review into low traffic neighbourhoods, the government will also consider measures for existing anti-driver policies that did not secure local consent. The plans also aim to stop councils implementing so called ‘15-minute cities’, by consulting on ways to prevent schemes which aggressively restrict where people can drive.

Drivers across the country will also soon be able to benefit from new technology to simplify parking payments. The national parking platform pilot will be rolled out nationwide so that drivers can use an app of their choice to pay instead of downloading multiple apps.

In the continued drive to tackle potholes, the government will support councils to introduce more lane rental schemes, where utility companies are required to pay to dig up the busiest roads at peak times. Under the proposals, at least half of the extra money raised from these fees will go directly towards repairing road surfaces.

To further clamp down on overrunning street works, the government will consult on extending fines for repairs which run into weekends and increasing current levels of fixed penalty notices.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “For too long politicians have focused on the short-term decisions with little regard for the long term impact on hardworking families.

“We’ve seen this consistently with people’s freedoms on transport. The clamp down on drivers is an attack on the day to day lives of most people across the UK who rely on cars to get to work or see their families.

“This week the UK government will set out a long-term plan to back drivers, slamming the brakes on anti-car measures across England. We are taking the necessary decision to back the motorists who keep our country moving.”

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:  “Too often the private car is vilified when it has been one of the most powerful forces for personal freedom and economic growth. That’s why the government is taking the long-term, necessary decision to back the motorists who keep our country moving. 

“We’re introducing a plan to ensure drivers can enjoy smoother journeys, park more easily and no longer face unfair and oppressive traffic enforcement measures.

“Our plan will sit alongside our continued investment in public transport and active travel as part of a package of measures designed to help people travel in the best way that works for them.”

A call for evidence will be launched on options to restrict the ability of local authorities to generate revenue surpluses from traffic offences and over-zealous traffic enforcement, such as yellow-box junctions.

To make life easier for drivers and help traffic flow better, the Department for Transport will strengthen guidance to make sure bus lanes only operate when necessary and a consultation will be launched on motorcycles using bus lanes. Further measures and the full plan will be published in the coming days.

The measures follow the Prime Minister’s new approach to net zero announced last week, which committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, while supporting people who rely on their cars in their daily lives. The long-term plan to back drivers will protect people who rely on their cars from anti-driver policies.  

The plans also follow the government’s support for drivers by cutting the fuel duty rate by 5p per litre since March 2022, saving the average driver around £100 a year. This is in addition to £5 billion government investment since 2020 to resurface local roads, and new rules to clamp down on utility companies leaving potholes behind after street works.

A tale of two leaders

Johnson’s ‘people’s government’ and Corbyn says sorry

Election fallout continued today as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn issued a public apology to supporters. Corbyn, certainly the most criticised opposition leader (since the last one!) by both hostile media and elements within his own party, announced on Friday morning that he will not fight the next general election as leader but will stay on to oversee an inquiry into what went wrong for the ‘People’s Party’.

The general election delivered a resounding victory for the Conservative Party, who fought a single-issue campaign of ‘Getting Brexit Done’. The voters – at least in England – bought it, and the Tories celebrated their greatest victory since the days of Margaret Thatcher with 365 seats, an overall majority of 35 – a result beyond their most bullish predictions.

On Friday, Boris Johnson – who throughout the general election campaign was criticised for hiding from scrunity (one one occasion, quite literally, in a fridge) told the nation: 

This morning I went to Buckingham Palace and I am forming a new government and on Monday MPs will arrive at Westminster to form a new parliament and I am proud to say that members of our new one nation government – a people’s government – will set out from constituencies that have never returned a Conservative MP for 100 years and yes they will have an overwhelming mandate, from this election, to get Brexit done and we will honour that mandate by Jan 31

And so in this moment of national resolution I want to speak directly to those who made it possible, and to all those who voted for us, for the first time, all those whose pencils may have wavered over the ballot and who heard the voices of their parents and their grandparents whispering anxiously in their ears – I say thank you for the trust you have placed in us and in me and we will work round the clock to repay your trust and to deliver on your priorities with a parliament that works for you.

And then I want to speak also to those who did not vote for us or for me and who wanted and perhaps still want to remain in the EU and I want you to know that we in this one nation conservative government will never ignore your good and positive feelings – of warmth and sympathy towards the other nations of Europe because now is the moment – precisely as we leave the EU – to let those natural feelings find renewed expression in building a new partnership, which is one of the great projects for next year.

And as we work together with the EU as friends and sovereign equals in tackling climate change and terrorism in building academic and scientific cooperation, redoubling our trading relationshipI frankly urge everyone on either side of what after three and a half years after all an increasingly arid argument I urge everyone to find closure and to let the healing begin because I believe – in fact I know, because I have heard it loud and clear from every corner of the country –  that the overwhelming priority of the British people now is that we should focus above all on the NHS, that simple and beautiful idea that represents the best of our country with the biggest ever cash boost: 50,000 more nurses, 40 new hospitals as well as providing better schools, safer streets and in the next few weeks and months we will be bringing forward proposals to transform this country with better infrastructure, better education, better technology.

And if you ask yourselves what is this new government going to do, what is he going to do with his extraordinary majority? I will tell you that is what we are going to do we are going to unite and level up – unite and level up – bringing together the whole of this incredible United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland together, taking us forward unleashing the potential of the whole country delivering opportunity across the entire nation.

And since I know that after five weeks frankly of electioneering this country deserves a break from wrangling, a break from politics, and a permanent break from talking about Brexit.

I want everyone to go about their Christmas preparations happy and secure in the knowledge that here in this people’s government the work is now being stepped up to make 2020 a year of prosperity and growth and hope and to deliver a Parliament that works for the people.

Thank you all very much and happy Christmas.

LABOUR PARTY leader Jeremy Corbyn has issued a public apology to Labour supporters over his party’s heavy defeat in the general election. Writing an open letter in the Sunday Mirror and the Observer today, he acknowledged the party’s failings in the poll and said he accepted his responsibility for it.

‘I will make no bones about it. The election result on Thursday was a body blow for everyone who so desperately needs real change in our country.

To every single person who voted for the Labour Party – everyone who shared the hope that Britain could be a fairer country that works for the many, not the few – I say thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

And to the Sunday Mirror and its readers, your support has been such a source of strength. I wanted to unite the country that I love but I’m sorry that we came up short and I take my responsibility for it.

I remain proud of the campaign we fought. I’m proud that no matter how low our opponents went, we refused to join them in the gutter. And I’m proud that our message was one of hope, rather than fear.

Millions of people saw in our manifesto a better future for themselves and their communities. Our policies to protect the NHS, end austerity, invest in every part of our country and tackle inequality, were popular with voters who saw through a ferocious smear and fear campaign against us.

But despite our best efforts, this election was ultimately about Brexit. The Tory campaign, amplified by most of the media, managed to persuade many that only Boris Johnson could “get Brexit done.”

That will soon be exposed for the falsehood it is, but in this election it overpowered our attempt to reach across the divide and bring our country together

We will learn the lessons of this defeat, above all by listening to those lifelong Labour voters who we’ve lost in working class communities. This party exists to represent them. We will earn their trust back.

Make no mistake: Labour is the greatest force for progressive change this country has ever known, and although this wasn’t our moment, our time will come again under new leadership. We will never give up on the commitment and determination to build a fairer and more decent society.

Elections always result in winners and losers. Only time will tell if the biggest losers after this bruising battle could be those who still believe in a United Kingdom.

Not My Prime Minister!

Rally at Scottish Parliament 2.30 – 4pm today

This government is promising to crash the UK out of the EU, sell off our NHS, Drive thousands into poverty and support the richest in society.

We the people have to send a message to this new government that they do not have the support of the people.

We are stronger, we will Rise UP, and we will unite against this hate filled and dangerous government.

Please join us at 2:30 PM today to show Boris that the people are against him!

Event hosted by Youth Rise Up and Stand Up to Racism – Scotland

The General Election Donkey Derby

As a fun way to track how the party leaders are doing in the battle to reach 10 Downing Street and form the new UK government at Westminster, 

 NetVoucherCodes.co.uk are hosting a digital donkey derby by using their Twitter listening tool to measure the number of mentions of the main political parties in election tweets.

The 2019 UK General Election is set to be the most digitised ever, with the major political parties pouring more time, effort and money into online campaigning than any previous national vote.

Social media such as Twitter is at the forefront of politicians’ efforts to get noticed and generate engagement, in a bid to improve their polling numbers before the 12th of December.

The 2019 tweet race features all of the UK’s leading donkeys (thoroughbreds, surely? – Ed) – the SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon, the Conservatives’ Boris Johnson, the Liberal Democrats’ Jo Swinson, the Brexit Party’s Nigel Farage, Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn, the Green Party’s Siân Berry, Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price and the DUP’s Arlene Foster.

To view the #ElectionDerby, please visit: https://www.netvouchercodes.co.uk/election-derby2019.htm

Scottish Conservatives are the only alternative to the SNP in Edinburgh … says, ehm, … a Scottish Conservative!

Scottish Conservatives claim that they are the only party who can stop the SNP in Edinburgh and the Lothians. The Tory appeal to anti-independence voters follows the release of the latest YouGov opinion poll which predicts the SNP will win no less than 43 of Scotland’s 59 constituencies, an increase of eight MPs. Continue reading Scottish Conservatives are the only alternative to the SNP in Edinburgh … says, ehm, … a Scottish Conservative!

Edinburgh College students show ‘X’ marks the spot

Edinburgh College students have joined the city council to encourage those studying in colleges and universities to make sure they’re registered to vote in the forthcoming UK Parliamentary General Election.

Students discuss registering to vote

With just three weeks until the country goes to the polls, Edinburgh College students have shared why they think it’s important for people of all ages and backgrounds to have their say.

According to the Electoral Commission, one in three young people risk missing out on their opportunity to vote – national research shows that only 66% of 18 to 19-year olds are registered correctly compared to 94% of over-65s.

Anyone wanting to vote in the General Election on 12 December must make sure they’re registered to vote by Tuesday, 26 November and can do so online by visiting www.gov.uk/registertovote.

People who think they may be registered but want to check should contact the Electoral Registration Office on 0131 344 2500. Those who can’t get to their local polling place on the day can also register for a postal or proxy vote.

Andrew Kerr, Returning Officer for Edinburgh, said: “With less than a week until voter registration closes it’s essential that anyone wishing to vote makes sure they are registered at the correct address so they can take part.

“We want everyone, whatever their age or background, to be able to participate in the democratic process. It’s great to see young people studying here in Edinburgh championing voter registration and I hope they inspire others to visit www.gov.uk/registertovote or to check with the Electoral Registration Officer to make sure their details are up to date.”

Edinburgh College Students’ Association president Carla Ford said: “It’s very important that as students we all register to vote. It’s our opportunity to have our say and vote for who we would like to run the country in the future. I would urge all eligible students, not just those at Edinburgh College, to make sure they get registered and play their part in shaping our country.”

Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “I would encourage all of our students who are eligible to vote to make sure they are registered by next week’s deadline. It is vital that as members of the public we all play our part in the democratic process.”

Students who study away from home can register at both their term time and home address so they can choose which constituency they want to vote in, as long as they only vote once.

To vote in the UK Parliamentary Elections on 12 December, voters must be aged 18 or over and either a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.

Voter registration closes at midnight on Tuesday 26 November.

Anyone already registered for the European Election on 23 May does not need to re-register. However, anyone who has changed address since then needs to re-register to be able to vote in the UK Parliamentary Elections on 12 December. Poll Cards are due to be issued to all registered electors from 22 November.

Applications for postal votes must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday, 26 November and applications to vote by proxy must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 4 December.

Find out more about where, when and how to vote.

Edinburgh College students

Kevin Jenkins, 20 years old: “I think it’s incredibly important to vote in all elections because if you don’t then your say’s not heard. I think it’s also important that we encourage all of our friends and family to realise that they have to vote.”

Lauren Scott, 19 years old: “There are so many posts online that are encouraging it [registering to vote], you just need to follow the links and the instructions. It’s all simple questions so it’s not difficult to do, it’s straightforward and there’s no reason not to. If you don’t vote then you can’t complain about what’s happening – it’s the number one way to get your voice heard.”

Rachel Nicholson, 20 years old: “I think it’s really important to vote because there are so many changes being made or changes that need to be made right now. If we start to vote and make our voice heard then the topics that we think are important will get discussed more.”

Labour’s manifesto: ‘A nightmarish Marxist scenario’ or a win for all?

Corbyn
The Labour Party’s manifesto has, unsurprisingly, provoked markedly different responses.

Business leaders are scathing. Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director General, said: “Labour’s default instinct for state control will drag our economy down, rather than lift people up. 

“Policies ranging from major renationalisation and a four-day week to the ill-conceived plan to remove 10% of shares from public companies will hurt employers, employees, savings and pensions. It’s the most vulnerable in society who will pay the price for this economic experiment.

“Significant hikes in corporation tax, threats to important investment incentives and windfall taxes on oil and gas will set alarm bells ringing for globally mobile businesses.

“Business shares Labour’s goals for a close trade relationship with Europe and a fairer, greener and more inclusive economy at home.

“We support Labour’s ambition to build more affordable homes, upskill the economy with more apprenticeships and reform business rates. However, without business investment, insight and expertise, it won’t be possible to drive the economy forward or improve vital public services.

“The door is open for Labour to work with business. We urge them not to close it.”

Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party’s ‘radical Marxist manifesto’ will bring far-reaching economic chaos for Brexit-battered Britain, affirms the boss of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organisations.

The founder and CEO of deVere Group, Nigel Green, spoke out as the Labour leader unveiled his party’s manifesto yesterday ahead of next month’s general election.

Mr Green said: “Labour’s Marxist manifesto is the most radical and dangerous in decades. It would bring far-reaching economic chaos for a Brexit-battered Britain already on the brink.

“Corbyn and McDonnell’s agenda would create a nightmarish scenario that would hit those very people the most that it is proclaiming to try and support and protect.”

He continues: “There are three fundamental reasons why the Corbyn-led Labour manifesto would damage the UK economy.

“First, it would drive down already stagnate business investment in the UK. The mammoth nationalisation programme will leave companies thinking ‘who’s next?’

“Plus, the snatching of 10 per cent of the shares in every big company and a significant increase in trade union power, including a return to collective bargaining, will leave UK and international investors justifiably concerned that their investments will not be safe under Labour.

“This will seriously erode any attempts to generate long-term, sustainable economic growth.”

Mr Green went on: “Second, it would trigger an exodus of some of the most successful and wealthiest individuals.

“This would likely be due to concerns regarding Labour’s stance on inheritance tax, income tax, stamp duty and capital gains tax, potentially even capital controls, and the slashing of pensions tax relief.

“Typically, these people have the resources to move to safe lower tax jurisdictions if the tax burden in Britain becomes too great.

“Should these largely job and wealth-creating, tax-paying individuals quit Britain, the government’s finances will suffer significantly because they contribute a disproportionately large amount to the state’s coffers. Indeed, they prop-up the system.

“And third, a renegotiation of the Brexit deal, which would be put to a second referendum, would create many more months of uncertainty for businesses.

“Labour’s economic agenda is a risky gamble. Its potential for serious adverse consequences is massive. And whilst the radical plans are already far-reaching, this might be just the beginning, with more misguided policies to come.”

A risky gamble? Not so – it’s a fantastic offer, says the leader of Britain’s biggest trade union:

Unite is the UK’s largest trade union with over 1.25 million members. Reacting to the launch of the Labour party’s manifesto yesterday, Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: “This is a fantastic offer from Labour to the electorate.

“I urge all Unite members and the general public to listen to what Labour is saying.

“When Labour wins nurses win, teachers win, manufacturing workers win, car workers win, young people win and pensioners win.

“When Labour wins, we all win. Come home to Labour.”

The TUC’s Kate Bell says the Labour manifesto delivers for working families:
“Working families desperately need change at this election. The manifesto launched by the Labour Party today has the ingredients we need to deliver it.

This is the most important election in a generation for working families. No matter who we are or where we come from, all of us should have a chance to get on in life.

“We’re assessing each of the party manifestos on their plan to put working families first. Here we set out why we think the Labour manifesto delivers.

Test 1: Get wages rising faster for everyone – not just top earners

The Labour manifesto sets out a comprehensive plan to end the longest pay squeeze for generations.

  • They’ll bring in a real living wage of £10 now for everyone.
  • There’s new rights promised so that workers can bargain through their unions for fair pay, including access rights to workplaces for unions, and a commitment to make it easier for workers and unions to establish collective bargaining in their workplace and to introduce sectoral collective bargaining. We know that’s the best way to get pay rising for everyone. And international institutions agree with us – just this week the OECD (the organisation of rich nations) called for countries to ‘revamp collective bargaining to prevent rising labour market inequalities ’.
  • Worker Directors will be elected to make up a third of company boards and given a say over executive pay.
  • There’s a real commitment to tackle pay inequality, with new reporting requirements to expose race and disability-based pay discrimination and plans to ensure employers have to take action on closing the gender pay gap.
  • And what’s more, the UK will be brought in line with the rest of Europe with four new bank holidays.
  • Test 2: Ban zero-hours contracts nd guarantee everyone the security at work we need

This manifesto offers real change for working families and a return to decent secure jobs.

  • Zero-Hours Contracts would be banned – a change desperately needed for the 900,000 people still faced with this form of unfair and insecure work
  • And Labour would go further by ensuring that cancelled shifts are paid and people are given reasonable notice of when they’re expected to work.
  • Every worker would be given day one rights in their job, including the right to redundancy pay and family-friendly rights. And Labour have promised never to return to the unfair employment tribunal fees that priced workers out of justice.
  • Workers would get a right to flexible working from day one.
  • And there’s new rights to make sure that workers have say in the future of work, including a legal right to collective consultation on the implementation of new technology in workplaces.

Test 3: Rebuild our NHS and the public services we all rely on – don’t cut taxes for the rich

Labour are promising the investment are schools and hospitals are crying out for. And they’re funding it by ensuring the rich and big corporations pay their fair share.

  • Labour’s NHS plans include a 4.3 per cent uplift in funding a year, plus new money for building hospital and upgrading investment. This would repair the long-term damage caused by ten years of austerity that’s left us with nurse shortages and long waits to see a GP. And there’s a plan to give public sector workers the pay increase they deserve, with a five per cent rise across the board.
  • The plan for a national care service with free personal care for older peoplewould help address the urgent social care crisis and relieve pressure on the NHS too.
  • On schools, Labour’s plans would not only reverse the cuts, but address the historic underfunding of education in too many parts of the country. And the plan for universal free school meals will make a real difference to families across the country, as well as boosting learning.
  • Labour plan to pay for this with a fair plan for taxation. The highest earners – those who earn over £80,000 – will pay a little more tax. If you’re not in that top five per cent, your taxes won’t go up. Tax on big business (corporation tax) will go up to help fund public services, but it will still be lower than in 2010.

“Working families desperately need change at this election. This manifesto has the ingredients we need to deliver it.”

Make up your own mind: see Labour’s manifesto below:

Real-Change-Labour-Manifesto-2019