Camden councillor Danny Beales can start sizing up the curtains in his new parliamentary office

CONSERVATIVES are demanding councillors put on record what they think about Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ expansion plans – in a move which throws the spotlight on a parliamentary by-election candidate.

Labour councillor Danny Beales is getting ready to say goodbye to Camden’s council chamber ahead of next week’s ballot in Uxbridge and South Ruislip – the west London constituency where he is standing as Labour’s candidate and is widely expected to claim the Commons seat vacated by former prime minister Boris Johnson.

He has, however, faced claims of flip-flopping over the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emissions Zone) which would cover his new patch under Mr Khan’s expansion plans.

Earlier in his campaign he suggested that he supported the Mayor of London over stiffer charges for drivers of high-polluting cars, but last week suddenly said it was “not the right time” due to the cost-of-living squeeze.

Now mischievous Tories back in Camden are using the first scheduled motion at Monday’s full council meeting to ask councillors to show their support for outer borough councils who are challenging the Mayor through legal proceedings. This potentially sets up the awkward situation where Cllr Beales – who has not stepped down as a councillor in Camden and is still a cabinet member here – would have to cast a vote on the merits of the ULEZ.

One Labour source said that they did not think Cllr Beales would be in the room for such a scenario, and joked: “Or expect a lot of long speeches earlier in the evening.”

Some council meetings overrun to the extent that there is no time to debate motions, with this hanging on how quickly councillors get through the rest of their business.

Cllr Beales has been spending long days – and nights – in Uxbridge and South Ruislip in the final race to the line. He grew up in the area and describes himself as the local candidate there. He has previously said he will move from Kentish Town if elected.

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There seems to be little doubt about that, however, as bookmakers have made him such a runaway favourite that he can start sizing up the decor in his new parliamentary office.

He will join a long line of Camden councillors to go on to be an MP including current servers Nick Smith, Siobhan Baillie, Laura Trott, Chris Philp and Hampstead and Kilburn’s Tulip Siddiq.

Labour members from across London have been encouraged to pour into Uxbridge and South Ruislip to guarantee victory, but Mr Johnson’s resignation following the Partygate scandal has been seen as enough on its own to ensure the seat changes hands.

Mr Khan will himself be up for election again next May, and remains committed to extending his emissions policy. It is due to come into effect next month.

Asked why his group was bringing a motion about an issue on the outskirts of London, Conservative group leader Councillor Gio Spinella said: “Labour candidates cannot avoid responding to this poorly thought out policy by the Labour Mayor and its deleterious effects on Londoners. It being foisted on them in this manner ultimately damages the consensus on action against climate change.

Councillor Gio Spinella

“There is a clear balance to be struck between collective efforts to tackle climate change and the burden that can be asked of Londoners, especially the less well-off. Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ plans are completely on the wrong tack and will disproportionately hit the people at the time of the cost of living crisis that Labour have often decried. Regressive taxation – which is what the ULEZ is – will not help families and businesses that need support.”

Camden Council said earlier this year that the current ULEZ map had led to a significant reduction in nitrogen dioxide air pollution.

Uxbridge and South Ruislip is in Hillingdon, where the local authority is among five involved in a High Court challenge.

There are 17 candidates standing in next week’s by-election, including the Tories’ Steve Tuckwell.