"Green" Porsche Vs. "Red Ken" Round 2
Autocar reports that a new poll financed by Porsche suggests that 74 percent of Londoners think London's new, higher (for some) CO2-based charge is "unfair." Having released complete polling data from that study, Porsche is challenging Livingstone to produce similarly comprehensive data from the Ipsos-MORI poll which the left-wing mayor claims to show support for the environmental measure. The incompleteness of available data from the Ipsos-MORI poll has prompted Porsche to file a complaint with the British Polling Council for failing to uphold public transparency standards. Porsche clearly smells blood in the water; Livingstone has staked his re-election campaign on environmental issues. With a May first election looming, and two opponents who oppose the fee, Livingstone is retaking the offensive by attacking Porsche at a recent press conference. "(Porsche) should be redoubling efforts to produce less- polluting cars,'' said Livingstone. "I can imagine how annoyed Berliners would be if a British company tried to intervene in a mayoral election.'' Meanwhile, Livingstone has still not released his polls data, showing that whatever his purported allegiance to the environment, his populism does not prevent him from hiding information when his political survival is at stake.
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"Porsche are trying to deprive Londoners of their democratic right to decide... whether they want gas guzzling and polluting cars to drive in London" "No one is allowed to throw their rubbish in the street and Porsche should not be allowed to impose gas guzzling polluting cars on Londoners who do not want them." Speaking on behalf of "Londoners" while refusing to release any polls which you claim supports your position is a particularly craven political tactic.
Wow - didn't know Londoners were forced (by the Germans of all people) to buy gas guzzling Porsches. Were there guns to their heads. I'm certain most Londoner's are not upset that their neighbor buys a Porsche - maybe more so of the Land Rover or Escalade that doesn't fit in their streets or parking spaces and gets even worse mileage - all for the one passenger.
The thing is he doesnt speak on behalf of londoners. Ok he got voted in, but the reality has set in and the people for one thing dont want an extension of this tax zone, (the last opinion poll i saw he was losing out to the conservative candidate who was basing his campaign on removing the congestion charge!)and it doesnt target the real polluters. Walk down Oxford street and smell the air as you pass bus after bus that pumps out antiquated exhaust fumes, and the taxis that ar eno better. If he really cared he would make all of these conform or at least have modern technology that the vehicles he is aiming at have.
HE attacked Porsche and now they are intervening by showing polling data of their own to contradict one of his claims and then asking him to reveal the polling data that he first referenced in defense of his position. I don't see how that is interfering in the election. Are they running ads in support of another candidate? It doesn't sound like it. He's just angry because a car manufacturer actually stood up to him.