Henderson challenges Lib Dems to “come clean” over congestion charges.
March 5th 2004
Gordon Henderson, who is the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Sittingbourne & Sheppey, has challenged local Liberal Democrat councillors to say if they support the plan to introduce more congestion charges in towns and cities across the country. The proposals were exposed in a leaked copy of the Lib Dem’s draft ‘pre-manifesto’.
Mr Henderson said:
‘The cat is now well and truly out of the bag. This leaked document shows that the Lib Dems are secretly planning to push for new anti-car taxes in high streets, town centres and other local roads. Indeed, it was interesting to see that the Lib Dem leadership view congestion charging as a priority.
‘I challenge our local Lib Dem councillors to come clean and tell us if they support these proposals and, if so, to which roads in Sittingbourne and Sheerness would they apply congestion charges?
‘Of course, the Lib Dems are not alone in wanting to pile additional taxes on the poor old motorist, Labour politicians appear equally determined to squeeze motorists for as much as they can get!
‘For instance, the Ministry of Transport is currently working on schemes to introduce more road charging across the country. Where next? The Milton & Kemsley Distributor Road? The A249? The new bridge?
‘Both Labour and the Lib Dems fail to understand that such extra taxes will hit the vulnerable hardest. It will be the elderly, the poor and those who live in isolated rural areas who will suffer most. It is for this reason that I pledge to oppose all these new taxes.’
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Contact details for Gordon Henderson
Day time telephone: 07866 719923
Evening telephone: 01795 669108
Fax: 01795 666998