Jonathan started petition to ensure that London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s “anti-motorist agenda” did not come to Stoke-on-Trent.
With the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner, saying on Sky News that ULEZ is “coming to towns and cities across the United Kingdom”, Jonathan launched a petition to fight back against “Marxist” plans that restrict people’s freedom to use their vehicle as they see fit.
The petition opposes 15 Minute Cities, Low Emissions Zones or Congestion charges in Stoke-on-Trent which Jonathan said would be “catastrophic” for the city. He argued that the unique geographical nature of Stoke-on-Trent, which is composed of six towns and is surrounded by agricultural areas, means that Stokies rely on their vehicle more than most and that therefore anti-motorist policies would have a demonstrable impact on residents and small businesses.
Jonathan also argued that the sharp increase in online sales has seen retail in city centres decline with retailers moving to retail parks away from congestion zones. With hugely exciting levelling up projects like the £17.4 million Town Deal project in Kidsgrove, Jonathan made clear that it would be “counterproductive” to restrict people from using their car.
Jonathan wrote to Councillor Amjid Wazir, Deputy Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, who has transport under his portfolio, to gauge whether the Council will back his petition and ensure that the city was not exposed to Khan’s “senseless” policies.
It took Stoke-on-Trent Labour over 100 days to reply to Jonathan's letter and petition, within which time over 1,000 people signed the petition, triggering a debate in the Stoke-on-Trent City Council Chamber.
After Jonathan's campaigning, Stoke-on-Trent Labour finally ruled out ULEZ, and Jonathan made a speech at full Council to present his petition on behalf of residents formally.