Ulez factor likely helped Tories win by-election, says political researcher

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The constituency’s new MP said in his victory speech it was London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s “damaging and costly Ulez policy” that cost Labour the election. “The Selby and Ainsty and Somerton and Frome results tell us more about the future of British politics because Ulez is only an issue in outer London.” We all want to breathe clean air, but we don't have to do it by hitting people in the pocket Howard Cox, Reform UK He said Labour, which failed to win the seat despite concentrated campaigning, will be thinking “long and hard” about the Ulez policy before next year’s general election, when they will try to win seats in other outer London boroughs. Mr Cox said “regressive” schemes like Ulez hit the poorest hardest and if he becomes mayor next year he will scrap Ulez from all areas of London. “The issue of toxic air pollution damaging Londoners’ health is too big to ignore and the expansion will result in five million more Londoners breathing cleaner air.” Leo Murray, co-director of the climate charity Possible, said: “A majority of Londoners support Ulez and outer Londoners want cleaner air.