Peter Vosper: Who cares about motorist?

Following a surprise announcement from the current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of an election to take place, are there major differences between the two major parties in the way motorists are likely to be affected? 

With the polls showing a likely change of Government the main parties are concentrating on the economy and how to move things forward without disturbing the current fall in inflation and the hope of interest rate reductions in the second half of 2024. Both Conservatives and Labour have suggested there will be no increases in income tax or VAT during the next Parliament but there is no talk of increasing the personal tax thresholds which, if they remain, are likely to mean many people moving into a higher tax rate.

The main discussion on car policy concerns electric vehicles and Labour have suggested they may reverse the Conservative postponement of five years for the mandatory end of new car sales with internal combustion engine cars. They also appear more sympathetic to calls to reduce VAT on electric vehicles, reduce the VAT on public charging from 20% to 5% in line with home charging, and the addition of more charging stations to allow easier and quicker charging. This has not been confirmed.
However, it seems that both the major parties do not see the 40 million plus motorists as important enough to clearly answer a number of vital questions about how they intend to raise revenue from this group in the future.

Will a carrot for the general public to purchase electric vehicles only occur when manufacturers reach a situation where electric vehicles and internal combustion engine-powered vehicles have a similar cost? Will there be punitive costs for those who continue to run non-electric vehicles in the future? Will there be fairer motor tax charges for those who live in rural areas and have inadequate and expensive public transport? Will parking charges continue to rise in cities and towns to offset increased costs? Will the congestion, clean air and other charges to keep all but essential vehicles out of city and town centres, extend to more and more areas?

What will be the true cost of running a car in future years? It would be reasonable to know what all parties propose as the private and business motor car has become a necessity for many. The local family is becoming more diverse as younger generations are forced to move away for jobs but want to travel to keep in touch while at certain times the support of family members is vital. A mother being with her daughter at the time of her first child was easy when they lived around the corner but far more difficult at a distance when the car is the natural solution. Online cannot manage care, physical presence is the solution. The motor car and its cost is important to virtually everyone and all need to plan for the future.