See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 11:57 BST, 31 August 2026 | Updated: 12:00 BST, 31 August 2026
Londoners could get relief from Sadiq Khan's ULEZ push after a Tory hopeful pledged a full review.The ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) was introduced by Lord Khan in 2019, with any vehicle that does not meet the criteria having to pay £12.50 per day.The area was controversially expanded to all 32 of the capital's boroughs three years ago, despite anger that struggling families were being forced to buy newer cars. James Cleverly - who quit the Conservative front bench on Saturday to launch a bid for City Hall - has now committed to rethinking the policy. Accusing the Labour incumbent of a 'vindictive assault on drivers' he said he was determined to 'ease the costs and pressure of people getting around the city'.Lord Khan is half-way through an unprecedented third term and has not confirmed whether he will stand again in May 2028. Sir James has warned that Andy Burnham's devolution plans will 'centralise power in his own backyard' of Manchester, where he served as mayor, at the expense of the capital. James Cleverly - who quit the Conservative front bench on Saturday to launch a bid for City Hall - has now committed to rethinking the ULEZ policy The ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) was introduced by Lord Khan in 2019, with any vehicle that does not meet the criteria having to pay £12.50 per day The ULEZ was controversially expanded to all 32 of the capital's boroughs three years ago, despite anger that struggling families were being forced to buy newer carsMr Burnham is spending millions of pounds on a 'No10 North' site as part of his efforts to end Westminster's dominance.Stepping up his London campaign, Sir James told the Telegraph there had been a 'real war on the motorist'. 'In outer London, this really quite vindictive assault on drivers - both people that drive for family reasons and for people that drive for business - is causing real harm,' he said. 'So I want to look at a whole range of options to ease the costs and pressure of people getting around the city and doing business in the city.'While stopping short of pledging to scrap ULEZ entirely, Sir James insisted he would stop 'forcing people into making expensive decisions' like buying electric cars.Sir James will campaign for the mayoralty from the back benches and is not seeking re-election in his Braintree constituency at the next general election.He said Tory leader Kemi Badenoch was 'very supportive' when he told her earlier this week of his plans to step down from the shadow cabinet, though she would 'stay neutral' on the Conservative selection process for a party candidate. Lord Khan is half-way through an unprecedented third term and has not confirmed whether he will stand again in May 2028
