During the 2010 General Elections we scoured through the political parties manifestos and below is what the parties and the politicians who responded had to say or rather what they didn’t have to say!
Despite trying to raise motorcycling on the radar through BikersRVoters, the parties have failed miserably in the main to respond.
Given their overall generalisation of the issues to gain voters, it was perhaps too much to wish for motorcycling to even appear as a blip on the radar screen, proof is that those who have mentioned transport issues in their manifestos failed to include motorcycling.
Issues that effect motorcyclists are local issues but these are also affected by what happens in Westminster.
It was no surprise that one politician replied to us directly, outlining the stance his party has regarding motorcycling.
You can read what the politicians said and what the party manifestos say below.
Democratic Unionist Party – DUP – Let’s Keep Northern Ireland Moving Forward
20mph speed limits in specific built up areas. Establish more cycle lanes. Politicians/Candidates Sammy Wilson MLA - As a motorcyclist Sammy Wilson has responded that he obviously has a vested interest in many of the issues that concern BikersRVoters, pointing out that he has campaigned on a number of motorcycling related issues in the Northern Ireland Assembly. This is what Sammy wrote:
Sammy Wilson added that he was of course committed to all of these programmes and hopes that this outlined the stance that the DUP has on motorcycling. * CBT is presently being discussed at department level with various stakeholders for introduction December 2010. |
The advertising campaign directed at motorists and designed to make them more aware of motorcyclists was a result of the input which I had into the advertising policy at that time and Edwin Poots who has succeeded me has continued with that theme.
Alliance Party – Working for you in Westminister
Alliance will encourage a wider debate on ‘congestion charges’ and other forms of road pricing. This should be used to further environmental protection and internalise externalities to heavy polluters. This would be consistent with the ‘polluter pays’ principle. Any funds generated from these measures should be redirected into worthy projects, innovation, research and development. However, we need a proper public transport infrastructure before this could happen. Politicians/Candidates No response. |
Green Party – Make a Difference – Vote Green
Insisting on strict implementation of the Polluter Pays principle in all aspects of environmental legislation. Politicians/Candidates No Response |
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) – For Your Future
Develop a sustainable rural transport policy with an inbuilt rural road safety strategy. Continue our campaign for 20 mph zones in built-up areas. Continue our commitment to sustainable transport, most recently illustrated through Minister Margaret Ritchie’s investment in Belfast’s cycling infrastructure. Scope the feasibility of a cycle rental scheme for Belfast. Politicians/Candidates No Response |
Traditional Unionist Voice – TUV – Putting It Right!
TUV seeks a lower tax take on fuel to ensure that the British motorist is best protected from any future shocks on oil prices. Currently the Government takes over 50p per litre in fuel tax, plus VAT, which is excessive and unfair. The high price per litre of fuel erodes the competitiveness of British industry and costs jobs. TUV will lobby to ensure that British motorists pay a more reasonable price for fuel, which is particularly important in rural Northern Ireland where inadequate public transport makes car dependency unavoidable. Politicians/Candidates No Response |
Sein Fein – Peace – Equality – Jobs – Unity
Deliver a new Active Travel Strategy which includes key actions to provide alternatives to the private car and include investment in cycling, walking and public transport. Introduction of separate sustainable public transport funding packages of £78 million for walking/cycling, £450 million for buses and £6 million for rail, and £1.8 billion for traffic management and roads up to 2015. It is clear that current patterns of transport usage and the high level of dependency upon the private car are not sustainable. The significant increase in emissions and congestion over recent years must be firmly addressed. This will be supported by modernising infrastructure to encourage motorists to abandon their cars and take the bus or train, or walk or cycle. Politicians/Candidates No Response |
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