Islington Tribune - News: MP Emily Thornberry

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Islington Tribune - by MARK BLUNDEN
Published: 15 June 2007

MP rips up ballot paper in anger at ‘unfair’ permits

ANGRY MP Emily Thornberry is so incensed ny a parking referendum she fears will give a raw deal to estate residents that she has torn up her ballot paper.
Lib Dem-run Islington Council wants people to vote on whether drivers of gas-guzzling cars should pay more for street parking permits.
But if the £90,000 referendum results in a Yes vote, the new sliding scale of parking charges will not apply to council estates.
Motorists on estates who drive the most eco-friendly car – a Toyota Prius – will still pay £195 for a permit, as opposed to £35 if they lived elsewhere.
Ms Thornberry, Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury who drives a Prius, is pictured (right) ripping up the ballot paper delivered to her home.
She said: “Half my constituents live on estates. Have the Lib Dems just forgotten about them?
“It is outrageous that a car like mine will cost £35 on a street but £195 on an estate. I agree with the principle of green charges, but I refuse to vote in such a blatantly unfair scheme.”
Town Hall Lib Dem deputy leader Councillor Terry Stacy said: “We’ve already frozen parking charges on estates. Once we have the referendum result, we’ll be talking to Homes for Islington about how they can bring their charging system in line with the rest of Islington.
“Residents living on estates have their own dedicated parking space.”.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:

Your Comments: