Disaster for Car Culture & Local Economies
I didn’t want to make this video. I hoped I wouldn’t need to. But several people have asked for my response to the potentially catastrophic London 2nd May 2024 Mayoral election result for any Londoners that own and drive cars. What do I think of what happened? What do have to say about it? It’s in this video. I’ll say it now and that will be the end of it. The fight for motorists’ rights failed and failed miserably. This is democracy. The results have to be accepted.
As I sit in the car for which I have to ration drives, I explain why the recent election results could spell disaster for London’s car culture and impact local economies negatively. This video combines data analysis, personal insights, and expert opinions to provide a comprehensive view of the future landscape in London.
Two weeks ago, Londoners headed to the polls for the mayoral elections, a pivotal event especially for those of us passionate about cars and motoring. If you’ve been following my work over the past year and a half, particularly my coverage of the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) expansion, you’ll understand the implications of this election. The ULEZ expansion came into effect at the end of September 2023, and it has significantly impacted car enthusiasts like me.
The ULEZ Impact: A Personal Perspective
In one of my early videos on the ULEZ, I was driving my 1989 BMW 325i E30, a car I adore but is now subject to the £12.50 daily ULEZ charge. Since it’s not yet 40 years old, it doesn’t qualify for historic status, meaning I can’t drive it freely without incurring costs. This has forced me to restrict my driving to a few times a month instead of several times a week.
The personal and financial toll is considerable. Each outing requires careful planning to avoid racking up charges. Driving this classic car, which I love, has become a rare treat rather than a regular pleasure.
Election Results: A Blow to Car Culture
The reelection of Mayor Sadiq Khan, who introduced the ULEZ expansion, feels like a setback. After more than a year of campaigning and raising awareness about the issues, the election results were disappointing. There was hope that a close race might send a message about the public’s dissatisfaction, but Khan’s significant victory dashed those hopes.
Why Did Khan Win?
Several factors contributed to Khan’s win. Labour dominated the local elections across the country, indicating a general dissatisfaction with the Conservative Party. People wanted to punish the Tories for various national issues, from cost of living crises to the state of the NHS. In London, Khan’s win by over a million votes, despite the backlash against ULEZ, underscores this broader discontent.
The Consequences for London
With Khan’s reelection, we can expect more stringent measures that will further impact car culture and local economies. Here’s what we might face:
- Increased Traffic Bottlenecks: 20 mph speed limits will slow traffic to a crawl.
- Parking Woes: Reduced parking spaces and higher charges will make finding affordable parking even harder.
- Car Theft and Insurance Costs: With rising car theft rates and skyrocketing insurance premiums, owning a car in London is becoming increasingly unaffordable.
- ULEZ and Congestion Charges: Expect tighter restrictions and higher costs. Even electric cars will start paying congestion charges from Christmas 2025.
- Pay-Per-Mile Road User Charging: Although denied during the campaign, preparations for this scheme suggest it’s inevitable.
“With Khan’s reelection, expect more stringent measures that will further impact car culture and local economies in London.”
The Future of Car Culture
The future looks bleak for car enthusiasts and the car industry in the UK. Classic cars might become a rare sight, and motoring as we know it could be severely restricted. Local economies, heavily reliant on car travel, will suffer as leisure, shopping, and tourism decline.
Public transport, often touted as the alternative, remains unreliable. Frequent breakdowns, strikes, and overcrowding make it a poor substitute for the convenience of car travel.
What Can We Do?
It’s hard to see a clear path forward. While lobbying MPs and engaging with the media are options, they haven’t proven effective so far. Voting with our wallets by avoiding unnecessary expenses might send a message, but it’s not enough.
Ultimately, the lack of a pro-car political party makes it difficult to champion our cause. The upcoming elections might provide another chance to voice our concerns, but the outlook remains grim.
Conclusion
The reelection of Mayor Sadiq Khan marks a difficult time for car culture and local economies in London. With more restrictions and higher costs on the horizon, the car industry and motoring enthusiasts face significant challenges. As a community, we must adapt and find new ways to preserve our passion for cars.
Stay tuned, stay engaged, and let’s continue to advocate for a balanced approach that recognises the value of car culture. Share your thoughts in the comments, and make sure to like, share, and subscribe for more motoring insights. Let’s make the most of motoring while we still can.
Brown Car Guy 
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