Ken Livingstone on Labour splitters: ‘I NEVER thought of them as Labour!’ (E718)
On this episode of Going Underground we speak to ex-Mayor of London Ken Livingstone about the newly formed Independent Group, their electoral chances and his opinion on the ex-Labour MPs who left to join the Independent Group. Next, Lembit Opik joins us for Broken News, discussing the rising tensions between India and Pakistan after India launched airstrikes against an alleged JeM training camp in Pakistani territory, alleged looting by American troops at the site of a British massacre in Afghanistan, Richard Branson’s concert supporting US efforts to get US humanitarian aid into Venezuela, and Southern Rail workers pouring dirty water on a homeless man. Finally we speak to Sam Friedman, the co-author of ‘The Class Ceiling: Why it Pays to be Privileged’ on how certain sectors of the UK economy are closed off to non-elites and those who do not uphold elite interests.
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READ MORE: Statement by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan:
“Our country’s filthy air is a national disgrace that shortens lives, damages our lungs, and severely impacts our NHS. City leaders across the country are united in raising the alarm about the dangers posed by poor air quality. Here in London we have worked tirelessly to clean-up the bus and taxi fleet, encourage clean air innovation and establish the largest air quality monitoring network of any major world city.
“Now, with seven weeks to go until the introduction of the 24-hour seven-day-a-week Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London, I’m announcing plans to help motorists on low incomes, as well as micro-businesses, to scrap their older, more polluting vehicles. However, Ministers must now show they can match my commitment. If we’re going to tackle the health crisis and social injustice caused by air pollution it is vital and only fair that a national vehicle scrappage scheme is funded and supported by the government.
“I know Michael Gove and Matt Hancock both share my commitment to clean up our filthy air and protect the health of future generations – but for this to happen they must recognise the scale of this issue, dip in their pockets and urgently match the ambition of our city leaders.”