Having enjoyed the last few weeks “campaigning” against the Congestion charge across Greater Manchester, I am sorry not to be in town for the result. It has by far been one of the easiest campaigns I have “fought”, more like “a get out the vote operation” thought I was predominantly preaching to the converted. It may be a mugs game predicting election results, nevertheless I fancy far more then 4 out of the 10 Borough’s will say NO, and overall in excess of 60% will reject the proposal.
However my warnings to both sides are, the result will bring anything but finality to this debate/issue, more akin to a brief hiatus. In the long term it will herald in an immense ideological and practical arguments which will be conducted largely beneath the radar and behind the public’s back, which will persist and only intensify over the coming years. Especially by opportunist Labour MP’s in a Cameron era.
Between those that are for and against regulated transport in Greater Manchester (Most defiantly for), Between public or privet investment (mixed) and even should as I fervently hope and predict the no vote will be decisive, I doubt this is the last we shall hear from the proponents of local motoring charges, alibi maybe not in this guise, but the rewards for big business and the temptation for government are just to great.
