Autocar reports that a new poll financed by Porsche suggests that 74 percent of Londoners think London's new, higher (for some) CO2-based charge is "unfair." Having released complete polling data from that study, Porsche is challenging Livingstone to produce similarly comprehensive data from the Ipsos-MORI poll which the left-wing mayor claims to show support for the environmental measure. The incompleteness of available data from the Ipsos-MORI poll has prompted Porsche to file a complaint with the British Polling Council for failing to uphold public transparency standards. Porsche clearly smells blood in the water; Livingstone has staked his re-election campaign on environmental issues. With a May first election looming, and two opponents who oppose the fee, Livingstone is retaking the offensive by attacking Porsche at a recent press conference. "(Porsche) should be redoubling efforts to produce less- polluting cars,'' said Livingstone. "I can imagine how annoyed Berliners would be if a British company tried to intervene in a mayoral election.'' Meanwhile, Livingstone has still not released his polls data, showing that whatever his purported allegiance to the environment, his populism does not prevent him from hiding information when his political survival is at stake.
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While I don’t particularly like Livingston, he makes a very fair point. It is not only unfair, but also very dumb from Porsche to insert themselves into the political process of an election.
But he’s hiding his so called poll that shows support of his decisions. I think unfairness begets unfairness and Livingstone is just reaping what his driven agenda sowed.
AKM,
Would you believe the same if your product, which you had gone to great pains to configure according to another country’s laws, was being unfairly targeted by a tax scheme? Especially when your product was actually much greener than many of the products NOT being so targeted?
If they follow the laws, I see no problem with Porsche (who likely is speaking through it’s British employees) defending it’s British employees and customers from this money grab.
Usually companies send their lobbyists to pull some back room deals. I like Porsche’s strategy of fighting this out in the court of public opinion.
My point was mainly that Porsche tries to ride a wave of discontent (based on the poll) for a public action against an elected official, and that it may well explode in their faces.
While back-room dealings may stink of unfairness, they usually lead to compromise, which is what is needed in this situation. A high-profile corporate assault may well be self-defeating.
“Porsche are trying to deprive Londoners of their democratic right to decide… whether they want gas guzzling and polluting cars to drive in London”
“No one is allowed to throw their rubbish in the street and Porsche should not be allowed to impose gas guzzling polluting cars on Londoners who do not want them.”
Speaking on behalf of “Londoners” while refusing to release any polls which you claim supports your position is a particularly craven political tactic.
Wow – didn’t know Londoners were forced (by the Germans of all people) to buy gas guzzling Porsches. Were there guns to their heads. I’m certain most Londoner’s are not upset that their neighbor buys a Porsche – maybe more so of the Land Rover or Escalade that doesn’t fit in their streets or parking spaces and gets even worse mileage – all for the one passenger.
The thing is he doesnt speak on behalf of londoners. Ok he got voted in, but the reality has set in and the people for one thing dont want an extension of this tax zone, (the last opinion poll i saw he was losing out to the conservative candidate who was basing his campaign on removing the congestion charge!)and it doesnt target the real polluters. Walk down Oxford street and smell the air as you pass bus after bus that pumps out antiquated exhaust fumes, and the taxis that ar eno better. If he really cared he would make all of these conform or at least have modern technology that the vehicles he is aiming at have.
HE attacked Porsche and now they are intervening by showing polling data of their own to contradict one of his claims and then asking him to reveal the polling data that he first referenced in defense of his position. I don’t see how that is interfering in the election. Are they running ads in support of another candidate? It doesn’t sound like it. He’s just angry because a car manufacturer actually stood up to him.