Labour candidate in Boris seat comes out against new Khan Ulez

LABOUR'S candidate to replace Boris Johnson as Uxbridge MP has slammed expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone next month - sparking accusations of more "flip-flopping" by his party.

- Rachael Burford

Danny Beales said he had heard "heart-wrenching stories" from those who would not be able to afford to upgrade their cars or pay the £12.50-aday charge when the Ulez is extended to outer London in August.

Speaking at a debate last night ahead of the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, he said: "It's not the right time to extend the Ulez scheme to outer London, it's just not." 

Mr Beales added that he had written to Mayor Sadiq Khan to voice his concerns about the scheme. He said: "I have had hundreds of conversations on the doorstep and that's the message I give. Community first, party second."

His comments mark a split Labour party and a change in their candidate's public position. It is the first time that Mr Beales has publicly suggested the scheme should not be expanded. Last month he defended the Ulez plan while acknowledging that it is "tough" for families facing higher bills in a cost of living crisis.

After the hustings in Uxbridge, Mr Beales told the Standard that he could not support the Ulez plan until the Mayor and the Government go "much further" with support for families, including expanding City Hall's £110 million scrappage scheme.

He said: "Something I've been saying throughout is that I don't think the support that's there goes far enough.