EXCLUSIVE TRANSPORT SECRETARIES RESPOND TO OUR 10-POINT ELECTION MANIFESTO THE ROADTO NUMBER 10
Parties go head to head as their representatives for roa ds and transport policy respond to our top-10 motoring challenges
Tom Jervis Tom_Jervis@autovia.co.uk@thomaswjervis
WITH polls suggesting that Conservative Transport Secretary Mark Harper could soon be replaced by his Labour shadow, Louise Haigh, Auto Express has challenged both to provide their solutions to the issues we think matter most to motorists, based on our own Motoring Manifesto (Issue 1,834).
If you’re still undecided and want to know who best represents your interests as a driver, check out the responses from the two chief protagonists battling for your vote. We’ve also rounded up policy highlights from the other major parties in the General Election.
1. When will you ban ICE car sales?
Mark Harper, Conservative
“THE original plan was to phase out all new ICE cars except hybrids by 2030, and then allow hybrids until 2035. We changed that to allow all engines till 2035 because the evidence showed modern ICE engines are just as carbon efficient as hybrids, but also cheaper for consumers. Labour’s plan to end all ICE sales by 2030 is reckless and will price normal people off the roads by forcing the transition before industry is ready.”
Louise Haigh, Labour
“AFTER the chopping and changing of the Conservative government, the automotive industry is crying out for certainty.
Labour will deliver that by restoring the 2030 phase-out date for new petrol and diesel sales. This transition will grow our economy and secure the future of the UK’s automotive industry.
“Electric vehicles are already cheaper to run and will soon be cheaper to make than petrol cars. More delay means higher costs for drivers, billions in investment lost and more jobs shipped overseas.”
2. How will you fix the UK’s potholes?
Mark Harper, Conservative
“WHEN I became Secretary of State for Transport, a third of all the money we spent as a country on transport went on HS2 [rail project]. Cancelling the second phase was a tough decision, strongly opposed by Labour at the time, but it let us free up £8.3billion to invest in roads across the country.
“That is already starting to make a difference – but of course there’s more to do, particularly following the te
