Can you really buy power? A question many have asked over the years as the three main parties have received cash from the Unions and businesses to fund their activities and to realise their aims and ambitions. In America, Barack Obama, who by the time this article is published may be President Obama, has so far out-spent his political rival John McCain by over $300 million. But, we can never be sure if this spending power swayed the American People or he was just the better candidate.

Closer to home we have the up and coming referendum on the Greater Manchester Congestion Charge in December. You will have seen the many Yes Campaign adverts. There are newspapers ads which show Jack claiming to be unaffected as he catches the bus and Jill who claims not to be affected as she always catches the train. We have also seen businesses which will benefit from the con-charge censoring attempts to inform the people of Stockport of the facts.

Stockport Council’s opposition to the Congestion Charge (by all political parties) has been censored by a block on its attempt to inform it’s own residents and encourage them to vote No. Stagecoach buses, by refusing to allow Stockport Council to place adverts on its vehicles, are censoring the debate and a legitimate form of campaigning.

Yes, it will go against the company’s support of the con-charge and yes, they have the right to reject the advertising. With so much to gain from the introduction of road charges, no doubt Stagecoach will be placing their own in support, but they are stifling debate and democracy.

The Transport Innovation Fund will cost £2.8 billion pounds and is dependent on the introduction of a Congestion Charge by 2013. It will affect all motorists who go into and out of the charge zone. It may not appear to affect, at the moment, the bus and train user. However, it will directly tax all other users of the route. It will affect all businesses whatever their size and it may restrict employment opportunities. Who will the employer pick for the vacancy – the best candidate for the job or the one who will not cost the company an extra £2, 000 a year due to the charge? Are the easily targeted motorists now to be disadvantaged in a job search due to their chosen method of transport?

I trust that residents of Stockport do not get swayed by spending power or the censorship by some and use their judgement and vote No.

Cllr Brian Bagnall
Bramhall South

 This article, by Cllr BrianBagnall, was first published by the Stockport Express 05/11/08.