Road toll supporters target Lib-Dems HQ

Published on Tuesday 25 January 2005 00:18

SUPPORTERS of congestion charging are to demonstrate outside the headquarters of the Scottish Liberal Democrats today over its Edinburgh councillors’ opposition to the scheme. The protest will take place ahead of a public debate at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Members of Friends of the Earth Edinburgh are outraged that the 15 Lib Dem councillors are supporting the No campaign in next month’s referendum. Jolin Warren, a spokesman for the group, said: "It is disturbing that Edinburgh Liberal Democrat councillors continue to campaign against congestion charging when it is UK party policy to support such traffic- reducing schemes.

"The Liberal Democrats cannot claim they are a pro- environment party and then locally campaign against the only reasonable proposal to cut traffic and emissions in Edinburgh."

Campaigners were due to demonstrate outside the party’s Scottish HQ at Clifton Terrace with coffins bearing the message: "RIP clean air - cause of death Edinburgh Lib Dems."

Fred Mackintosh, congestion charge spokesman for the Lib Dem councillors, said they were taking a principled stand against the details of the scheme proposed by the ruling Labour group. "It would be shocking for the main opposition group to support something they knew to be flawed. These demonstrators are behaving in a way that brings Friends of the Earth, a great organisation, into disrepute."

Later, what is being billed as a major "Question Time" style debate will begin at the EICC, with 500 invited guests and up to 400 members of the public in attendance. Opponents of congestion charging have branded it a "road toll rally" as opposition councillors have not been included on the panel. The decision to have the event on 25 January - clashing with Burns Night celebrations - was also criticised.