THE taking back of control through a power grab was illustrated this week.
Grant Shapps has penned a letter relating to the next battle No 10 is going to engage with, namely the London mayor and Transport for London (TfL), which comes under the control of the mayor.
Funding is requested to reduce the deficit, as the lockdowns and Covid have reduced usage and income on the transport systems. No 10 is insisting that certain policy matters regarding fares, free travel for children and the elderly and congestion charge areas must be changed.
READ MORE: Covid: Nicola Sturgeon slams English Tories for offering nothing to Scotland
Grant Shapps has indicated that ministers could take over the running of TfL. He writes in a letter: “We will be taking reserve legislative powers allowing us if necessary to direct TfL.” Sinister to say the least! Which “reserve legislative powers” does No 10 have in mind to take covering other areas of the country?
The future can be glimpsed in this increasingly autocratic and absolutist UK. Your vote at local level and at devolved level is not binding! How long before the UK Commons is pushed aside?
John Edgar
Kilmaurs
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