When David Cameron first sought leadership in 2010, he agreed to be interviewed by yours truly. Why? because DC twigged that, by speaking to me, he’d get through to some of the 50 million daily car users whose votes he craved. The man told me to tell you he was a “friend of the motorist”, and you and your car would be safe in his conservative hands.
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Smart – if cynical – bloke. As a lot of car users have voting cards up their sleeves, he knew they had – and still have – enough political clout to put parties in power.
Not that any individual has told the Liberal Democrats. If I had to name the mainstream party that’s been a lot of hostile towards cars, motorists and passengers over the decades, it’d be the Lib Dems. former leader Nick Clegg said he wants diesel and petrol cars banned by 2040. and although Cleggy is now toast, his successor, Tim Farron, hasn’t withdrawn the call for the cull of internal combustion.
• Diesel scrappage scheme in the UK: most current government plans revealed
This party bangs on about social mobility, yet can’t comprehend that our 24-hour personal workhorses play a hugely crucial role improving education opportunities, home and work locations, leisure activities and freedom (remember that?) for real-world folk on real-world wages.