James Cleverly, the Conservative candidate for London mayor, has pledged to conduct a full review of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) policy implemented by current Mayor Sadiq Khan. The ULEZ, introduced in 2019, requires drivers of vehicles that do not meet specified emissions standards to pay a daily charge of £12.50 when driving within designated parts of London. In 2023, the zone was expanded to cover all 32 boroughs of the capital, a move that has sparked criticism from opponents who say it places financial strain on lower-income families forced to upgrade their vehicles.

Cleverly resigned from the Conservative front bench last weekend to focus on his campaign for City Hall and has described the ULEZ expansion as a “vindictive assault on drivers,” particularly affecting those in outer London. He has expressed a commitment to easing the financial pressures motorists face and rethinking the current emissions enforcement approach. Khan, serving an unprecedented third term as London mayor, has yet to confirm whether he will seek re-election in May 2028.

In addition to his stance on ULEZ, Cleverly has criticized devolution plans championed by Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester. Burnham has proposed greater regional autonomy aimed at reducing the influence of Westminster, including investing millions of pounds in a government building named No 10 North in Manchester. Cleverly argues that Burnham’s initiatives risk centralizing power regionally at the expense of London’s governance and resources.

Khan and other supporters of the ULEZ policy maintain that the zone is a necessary measure to combat air pollution and improve public health across the capital. They point to data linking vehicle emissions to respiratory illnesses and environmental degradation, framing the policy as a forward-looking response to climate and health challenges.

Critics, including Cleverly and some local residents, emphasize the economic burden placed on individuals and families who rely on older vehicles, arguing that the financial penalties disproportionately affect those on lower incomes. They call for alternative approaches that balance environmental objectives with affordability and fairness.

The London mayoral race is shaping up around these contrasting views on urban mobility, environmental policy, and regional governance, with Cleverly positioning himself as an advocate for motorists and a critic of existing power dynamics in the capital. The debate over ULEZ remains a central issue as Londoners prepare for the next mayoral election.