Soon to be ex Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly has announced that the con charge will go ahead.
The government have said they will be holding a 'consultation', but have refused a referendum, clearly because they are not interesed in the democratic opinion of the people of Greater Manchester. We have no doubt that the 'consultation' will be a total sham, in which anti-charge views will be ignored, and pro-charge views hyped out of all proportion.
An opinion poll in the Manchester Evening News shows that 97% of people want a referendum.
ABD Press Release — Triple Tax Whammy Could Trigger Summer of Discontent
We the Undersigned Petition the Authorities of Manchester to scrap the Congestion Charge scheme.
The AGMA's Congestion charge plans are both discriminatory and regressive. They will put the economy of Manchester at a severe disadvantage and will isolate its citizens from the rest of the country.
Sign the petition
Press Release — 2nd May 2008
Congestion Charge defeats Irlam Transport Baron
Manchester congestion charge chief Roger Jones is trounced into third place behind
anti-con charge Community action Party and the Conservative Party
Yesterday's local election was the first opportunity voters have had to demonstrate their opposition to the hated congestion charge. MART backed Community Action Party secured a victory with 41.2% of the vote up from 32% at the last election.
Cap 1152 — 41.2%
Con 832 — 29.7%
Lab 650 — 23.2%
Lib 161 — 5.7%
Turn out 39%
MART spokesman Sean Corker said
“This result proves beyond doubt that the congestion charge is a cast iron vote loser and that when voters are presented with both sides of the argument they are resolutely against the scheme. Transport Minister Ruth Kelly could well have to decide between approving the Manchester bid and keeping her Bolton West seat at the next election.”
— ENDS —
Contact Sean Corker: 07-736-836-163