Israel continues to operate with impunity in what seems to be a brutal and protracted experiment, while much of the world looks on, says RAMZY BAROUD
London’s congestion charge: tackling climate chaos needs radical solutions and courageous political leadership
This month marks 20 years since the introduction of the congestion charge — one of the achievements I am most proud of from my time as mayor of London that I knew would gain support once it had started, writes KEN LIVINGSTONE

THE congestion charge was both a progressive tax and an environmental tax.
It was an environmental tax because it targeted one of the biggest sources of pollution — traffic. In many ways, it was an early form of a carbon tax. Although we didn’t call it that at the time, we were already very concerned about climate change and air pollution, which meant we knew we had to use pricing to discourage unnecessary driving.
The congestion charge was progressive because it was deliberately designed to primarily affect the wealthiest Londoners, who contributed the vast majority of car trips in that zone of central London.
More from this author

It is mayors living close to the people who understand what is needed to tackle climate change better than national politicians in their private jets and chauffeur-driven cars, writes KEN LIVINGSTONE

With the 25th anniversary of his first election approaching this year, KEN LIVINGSTONE writes on the achievements and legacy of an important figure in Latin America’s history

KEN LIVINGSTONE writes on the importance of devolution – and using devolved powers for progressive ends

Wide-ranging attacks on ‘enemies within’ are reminiscent of Thatcher’s assault on the miners, GLC, and black and Irish communities in the '80s, writes KEN LIVINGSTONE
Similar stories

As the ‘NRx movement’ plots to replace democracy with corporate-feudal dictatorship, Britain must pursue a radical alternative of local food security and genuine wealth redistribution to withstand the coming upheaval, writes ALAN SIMPSON

Construction of the new city will cost at least $33bn and is being carved out of Borneo's jungle, putting indigenous people and endangered wildlife at risk

Rishi Sunak’s propaganda glamorising car culture aims to whip up anti-green backlash from a fantasy world of tweed caps and open-top Morgans in a cynical vote-grabbing ploy, writes SALLY WILTON