Tory mayoral hopeful pledges in-out votes on ULEZ zone for London boroughs

9 April 2023, 18:40 | Updated: 10 April 2023, 01:13

Londoners in the city's outer boroughs could be given the opportunity to decide whether to remain in Sadiq Khan's green Ulez vehicle tax zone if the Conservatives win power in the capital.
Londoners in the city's outer boroughs could be given the opportunity to decide whether to remain in Sadiq Khan's green Ulez vehicle tax zone if the Conservatives win power in the capital. Picture: Alamy / LinkedIn/Samuel Kasumu

By Chris Samuel

Londoners in the city's outer boroughs could be given the opportunity to decide whether to remain in Sadiq Khan's green Ulez vehicle tax zone if the Conservatives win power in the capital.

Samuel Kasumu, 35, who is vying to be the Tory candidate at the next mayoral election, has pledged to give outer boroughs the chance to vote on whether to stay in the scheme.

Mr Khan is planning to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone to all 32 of the city's boroughs in August, a move which will see drivers of older and more polluting vehicles paying a £12.50 daily charge to travel within its reach.

The scheme is designed to clear up the city's air and reduce pollution, but the widening has been fiercely opposed by some Tory and Lib Dem boroughs, who have urged Mr Khan to push back the expansion so that residents have more time to upgrade their vehicles.

Mr Kazumu, a former advisor to Boris Johnson has said the issue will be a "key battleground" in the mayoral race next year.

Read more: 'Courageous' leadership that secured the Good Friday Agreement still needed in Northern Ireland today, says Tony Blair

Read more: King Charles leads royals to traditional church service in first Easter since death of the Queen

Speaking to the Telegraph, he said: "You've got to do things in a responsible manner, and you have to be able to take people with you. You can't just impose your will on folks who don't want it...

"I will promise within the first 12 months to have a local referendum for every outer London borough so they can be empowered with the choice about how they respond to what Sadiq has done."

Samuel Kasumu
Samuel Kasumu. Picture: LinkedIn/SamuelKasumu

Mr Kasumu stressed that he is "equally as passionate" about environmental issues as Mr Khan, but said he opposed the expansion because things should be done "in a responsible manner".

"You can’t just impose your will on folks who don’t want it,” he said.

But taking power back from Labour in the capital will be a tough task, with new polling suggesting that Labour have far greater support in London.

In a YouGov poll last week just 18 percent of adults in London said they would vote Conservative, 40 points behind Labour, representing the party's biggest lead since the market research film started tracking London voting intention in 2010.

Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan. Picture: Alamy

Mr Kasumu stepped down from his role as special adviser on civil society to then Prime Minister Boris Johnson in April 2021, when a Government-backed review concluded that the UK is no longer a country in which the "system is deliberately rigged against ethnic minorities".

He later said he feared some Tory colleagues thought the right way to win the next election is to "exploit division" and "pick a fight on the culture war", warning that it could have dire consequences for the country.

Mr Kasumu is currently a councillor on Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Hertfordshire.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Palestinians carry boxes and bags containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed organization approved by Israel, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Controversial aid distributer accuses Hamas of carrying out attack on bus transporting Palestinians

A net balance of 28% of professionals reported seeing the number of sales agreed falling. Sales volumes are generally expected to flatten out rather than fall in the three months ahead, the survey indicated.

House sales tipped to bounce back with 'strongest outlook' since February - but buyer interest still slipping

Supporters of Dignity in Dying celebrate on hearing the result of the vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London.

UK doctor says helping patients die in Australia is a ‘tremendous privilege’ and calls for law change at home

The body of Yair Yaakov, 59, has reportedly been recovered.

Two more hostages recovered by Israeli forces in Gaza, Netanyahu says

There were reports of vehicles being damaged and burned out, stolen cars, motorbikes being used and bricks thrown at officers amid the disorder, Greater Manchester Police said.

Girl, 16, charged with assaulting an emergency worker in Salford after ‘60 masked youths’ clash with police

The affected products include the Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, “Misfits” Gummies, Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Berry Gummies, the FSA said.

'Don't eat them': Brits told to avoid popular American sweets linked to cancer amid 'toxicological concern'

A woman has been arrested after a four-year-old boy was found dead in Dunholme End.

Boy, 4, found dead inside Maidenhead home as police arrest woman on suspicion of murder

Exclusive
Caz Holbrook, 54, said 2023 was a "very stressful" year after her landlord evicted her and her 15-year-old son from their home in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

I was evicted after Liz Truss's budget tanked the economy – my son and I ended up in a beetle-infested flat

St Michael's Church, Mytholmroyd

Village church ordered to silence 'cherished' chiming bells after residents' complaints spark huge row

The Bridgerton actress said she has been left with a concussion and "on edge" - and the incident traumatised her dog.

Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour left 'traumatised' after fighting off phone thief who threatened to 'stab' her

Shopper walking through the aisle of a supermarket.

Deadly disease outbreak linked to 'contaminated' UK supermarket item

Demonstrators gathered outside Stoke Newington Police Station in protest against police in schools, after it emerged that a 15-year-old Black girl ('Child Q') was strip-searched by police at a Hackney school, which is thought to be racially motivated.

Officer who strip-searched black schoolgirl while she was on her period admits failings but denies racist motivation

Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England

My mum finds Jude Bellingham’s on-field antics repulsive, says Thomas Tuchel

The jury found him not guilty of an additional sexual assault charge and have not yet returned a verdict on a charge of rape.

Harvey Weinstein found guilty in New York sexual assault retrial but acquitted on second charge

A fire broke out at a leisure centre in a town near Ballymena amid ongoing riots.

Masked thugs set leisure centre on fire as residents fear for their life in Ballymena

Brian Wilson performs Pet Sounds at the Pantages Theatre on May 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.

Legendary Beach Boys co-founder and primary songwriter Brian Wilson dies aged 82