Sir Keir Starmer originally backed ULEZ expansion despite telling Sadiq Khan to ‘reflect’ on hated tax

SIR Keir Starmer originally backed the ULEZ expansion — before telling Sadiq Khan to “reflect” on the hated tax.

The Holborn MP hailed Extinction Rebellion demos in London in 2019 — and signed up to a pledge to “keep lobbying for a London-wide ULEZ”.

But after Labour’s defeat in the Uxbridge by-election last week, the now party leader called on the Mayor of London to reconsider the £12.50 daily charge on older cars.

He said there was “no doubt” the tax had hurt his party’s chances of winning.

Yet in May 2019, Sir Keir helped to launch Camden Council’s Clean Air Action Plan, which vowed to push City Hall to expand ULEZ.

He called the plan a “strong step” towards addressing poor air quality.

Sir Keir even wrote: “The recent Extinction Rebellion protests have been a stark reminder future generations will not forgive us.”

But now a bitter internal row has erupted in the party after the low-emission tax was blamed for their unexpected defeat in the key by-election.

Sir Keir held talks with Mr Khan after blaming the ULEZ expansion for the loss.

While the party’s defeated Uxbridge candidate Danny Beales hit out: “You cannot tell working people you are laser-focused on the cost of living and then penalise them for driving their car to work.”

Last night, Treasury Minister Andrew Griffith jumped on the flip flop, saying: “Keir Starmer and the Labour Party have always supported ULEZ”.