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Sir Richard proposes c-charge referendum
26/06/2008
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester city council, has said the people of Greater Manchester should have a say in whether a congestion charge is introduced.
In an effort perhaps to wrong foot Bury, Stockport and Trafford councils, which are all opposed to the charge, Sir Richard said he would back a public vote as long as all ten local authorities agreed to abide by the referendum result.
Sir Richard, who is also deputy leader of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, said holding a referendum is the best way forward.
He told the BBC that he is confident that a majority 'yes' vote would be returned if the case for the congestion charge is explained properly.
"If Greater Manchester is going to make one decision - and at the end of this we do have to make one decision - I can't see any other practical way of achieving that," he stated.
Immediately after Sir Richard's announcement, Rochdale council said it backed his plan to hold a referendum.
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Chaos
By Julian Smith
I'm against a wasteful and expensive referendum. Democracy is a system where we elect leaders to provide leadership and make informed tough decisions. Not come running back asking what to do when the going gets tough. The oil price issue is not going away no matter what government we elect. We rapidly need better public transport and less congestion. The Tories are not about to wave a magic wand and make everything better for the common man - they are saying nothing about their policies, if they play true to form no one will like what they have up their sleeves. A referendum would invite chaos as the loudest bully boys get on their soap boxes and out-shout the opposition. I suggest that the congestion charge boundaries are redrawn to exclude Trafford, Stockport, and Bury and they give up all public subsidy for the Metrolink etc. That way the other areas can get improved public transport and can watch the selfish drown in traffic. It's quite significant that the boroughs that are voting against already have their tram systems in place.