Driveway tax proposals and ferocious Media Stereotyping of car fans
So this weekend, I was at the fantastic West London Classics Show and Shine car event in Southall. Chatting with a few folks there, the topic of the proposed paving tax for London households came up. Their reactions indicated utter confusion and disbelief. Clearly, this news hasn’t reached everyone yet, so I figured I’d do a video about it.
What’s This Paving Tax All About?
The paving tax is proposed to tackle flooding in London, blaming non-permeable paved gardens for exacerbating the problem. Sadiq Khan’s idea is to tax homeowners who have paved over their driveways and front gardens. The logic is simple: more paving means less water absorption, leading to more flooding. But is this the real issue? Or are we missing a bigger picture?
The Evening Standard’s Take
While looking into this, I check Geoff Buy’s Cars video on the subject (below), which led me to a bizarre comment article in the Evening Standard.
The article goes beyond just paving stones and paints a false narrative that paints petrolheads as right-wing climate deniers. It argues that the backlash against the paving tax is fuelled by a nostalgic view of masculinity linked to car culture — a concept now dubbed “petro-masculinity.” I’d never heard that term before!
“Londoners are already burdened with exorbitant council taxes, crumbling infrastructure, and rising living costs.”
The Real Issue
But let’s get real. Londoners are already burdened with exorbitant council taxes, crumbling infrastructure, and rising living costs. Now, adding a paving tax on top of that feels like an unfair punishment, especially for something that might not even be their fault. Many homeowners might have bought their properties with existing paving.
Misconceptions and Stereotypes
The Evening Standard article unfairly stereotypes car enthusiasts. Not all petrolheads are right-wing climate deniers. Car culture is diverse, spanning across various political and environmental views. The notion that enjoying cars equates to denying climate change is a gross oversimplification. Many car lovers are passionate about the environment and advocate for sustainable practices within the automotive industry.
“Not all petrolheads are right-wing climate deniers. Car culture is diverse, spanning across various political and environmental views.”
Solutions Over Punishment
Instead of imposing a tax, why not incentivise homeowners to adopt permeable paving solutions? Subsidising eco-friendly paving options would encourage people to make the switch without feeling penalised. It’s about working with the community, not against them.
Broader Implications
Linking car culture to broader societal issues like climate denial, racism, and misogyny is not only unfair but also damaging. It alienates a community that could be part of the solution. Let’s focus on constructive dialogue and collaborative efforts to tackle climate change and urban planning issues.
At the end of the day, we all want a better, safer, and greener London. But we need solutions that are fair, inclusive, and practical. The paving tax, as it stands, misses the mark.
“Linking car culture to broader societal issues like climate denial, racism, and misogyny is not only unfair but also damaging.”
Sources:
https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty/gardening/comment-sadiq-khan-tax-concrete-b1171739.html https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/environment-and-climate-change/parks-green-spaces-and-biodiversity/parks-and-green-spaces
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Hello Shazad,
I spoke to my solicitor on this. It is illegal! It is also impractical!
It is illegal under the Bill of Rights, 1688 (illegal to enact a Penalty Charge), let alone a breach of the Human Rights Act (Article 8 to quote but one of a number!) and impractical because the average drive port is made to an angle to drain off water into the drainage system (if there is any backflow or flooding it is the fault of the relevant water company, Thames Water for London who are in the Poo at present!).
In my case I have a double advantage to render this illicit tax as my house has, in addition to a manhole in the rear patio for access to the sewer system, a manhole in the middle of the drive port to access the fresh water and flood water discharge pipe system and Thames Water have told me they will NOT entertain any permeable drive port as that would affect the safe stability of the shaft to the pipe system. They are Professional Hydro-Engineers and can tell Khan to shove off under Health & Safety (and I just happen to be a former Industrial Plumbing and Sanitation Engineer Apprentice via Government Civil Service City & Guilds training and departmental employment, Property Services Agency).
As for nothing can be done, yes there can as per history. In Ancient Roman times, the late Roman Empire’s Imperial Court raised taxes too high, there were less people to pay these taxes and several provinces declared independence and even minted their own coins. The Emperor and the Empire establishment (the Senate) branded these breakaway states ‘Bacaudi’ (‘Bandits’) and treated them as such but failed to fully bring them back into line. Even in Republican Roman times the Plebeans (working Class) actually marched out of Rome, set up their own Council instead of taking orders from the Patricians (Upper Class) and if their elected leaders did not like anything they could say ‘Veto!’ (‘I Forbid!’). This is where we get the word ‘Veto’ in our language. The Patricians wisely shared more power with the Plebeans as they recognised the nation, like their army (Patricians for generals, Officers and senior Centurions, Plebeans for junior Centurions, Optios which are the equivalent of Corporals and Legionaries) as unable to survive divided when surrounded by enemies.
I think it is time we Londoners marched out to elect our own councils, Veto all of Khan’s and the loopy Labour Government’s ideas and press to formally complain to the United Nations (not a crazy idea, remember the Brazilian UN rep nicknamed ‘The Brazil Nut’ who branded our government and politicians in general as despotic! It’s happened more than once!).
Regards to all,
Steve Earl.
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