Conservatives Betraying Local People Over Richmond Park Car Park Charges

11.19.44am GMT Mon 8th Mar 2010

• [Mar 05]: SUSAN Kramer and Vince Cable have reacted with shock at the announcement that Conservatives in the House of Lords will not support a motion that would stop parking charges being introduced in Richmond and Bushy Parks.

Former MP Jenny Tonge has tabled a 'fatal motion' in the House of Lords that would defeat the Government's plans if enough Liberal Democrats and Conservatives vote for it. Last night the Conservatives announced they would not support the motion, breaking the cross-party consensus on the issue.

Susan Kramer said: "I am utterly shocked. This motion would defeat the parking charges plan once and for all. All we need is for the Conservatives to vote with the Lib Dems to defeat the Government. I am so disappointed that the Conservatives seem to want to deny local people the chance to see these plans stopped as soon as possible. I hope they can be persuaded to change their minds before the vote next week."

Vince Cable said: "I am very disappointed that the Conservatives have chosen to play silly politics. If both parties combined we could kill off the parking charges. Local residents will be deeply angry that the cross party consensus has broken down and we have potentially lost the chance to defeat charges due to irrelevant Conservative party flag waving."

Notes:

1. The motion tabled by Jenny Tonge in the House of Lords is due to be debated on Wednesday 10th March at 7.30 pm, with the vote due at around 8.30 pm.

2. The 'fatal motion' tabled means that the parking charges plans will be defeated if enough members of the House of Lords vote against it.

3. The wording of the motion: Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces (Amendment) etc. Regulations 2010: Baroness Tonge to move to resolve that the draft Regulations, laid before the House on 1 February, be not made.