LABOURS LISTENING

It looks as if I have been picking on Stephen Ladyman MP, recently, I would like to offer my apologies but as you can appreciate its unlikely.

In this week's Gazette, our Transport Minister, is telling us that road-pricing would not be as expensive, as some reports suggest, however he fails to acknowledge that such a system is effectively rationing road use, not by need but ability to pay.

This would mean that those of us 'islanders' will effectively pay a disproportionate amount of tax, in many cases just to earn a living.

He then goes on to explain improvements in the National road network, but clearly doesn't have anything to offer his constituents in the way of improved traffic around Westwood or into Margate.

It would not be so bad, if coupled with the suggested road-pricing policy, there was some commitment, to improve public transport, as an example the rail system in the south-east.

Mr Ladyman says that they would not introduce a national scheme without listening to the public, although surprisingly he doesn't say whether he would act in accordance with what he's heard from the public.

I don't think Labour's too good, at the old consultation game, I'm sure most Londoners told Ken Livingstone, what they thought of congestion charging, but he still went ahead.