TIF Bid Fails the Acid Test – What now?

by Ernie Buck

When the bad news broke at around lunch time on Friday 12th and I looked at the lamentable number of 'yes' votes in what for a referendum was a reasonable turnout, my immediate reaction was to blame the electorate. “Selfish” and “apathetic” were the terms I used when I passed the individual borough results round to the Party list and GMCC talk. Perhaps I was being a little harsh; why did we loose?

As Christine has said in her post TIF blog, the 'yes' group fought a very credible campaign. We marshalled the facts and presented them clearly and coherently. We had officialdom in the guise of the GMPTA and GMPTE on our side. Our publicity material was excellent. I remember giving out Clean Air materials in Piccadilly Gardens along with F o E; the leaflet with the baby on the front and a face mask was so compelling. “How can anyone ignore this” I thought. During the Tour de TIF we got some 'stick' from both pedestrians and drivers; riding round wearing hi viz vests with 'vote yes' on them one would expect this. But we also attracted a lot of support, much of it from drivers. It was a good campaign. I don't think we could have done any better.

However, set against the generations of propaganda from the motor lobby, the almost universally inculcated car culture, ubiquitous consumerism encouraged by our capitalist system and the general scepticism of the population, with hindsight, the no campaign didn't really have much to do. To slightly mash up the metaphor, they really had a 'downhill struggle'. They cleverly honed in on the Congestion Charge. The words TAX, CHARGE and COST featured in all their literature. Even my 'yes' voter friends and acquaintances were referring to the exercise as the “C Charge Referendum”. Was this unethical? Was this underhand? Well, no, not in a political sense. As we all know the referendum was about 'Transport Infrastructure'. Rightly or wrongly, the congestion charge was simply an incidental part of the package. The voting question was fair. In fact it could've been seen as biased our way as the 'yes' option appeared first on the ballot paper. I bet if the PR spinners on our side could have come up with something really sexy regarding transport infrastructure and planning we'd have used it. But the truth is that it's a bone dry subject. It doesn't get people excited.

So, we can't really blame the good citizens of Greater Manchester. The forces ranged against us are presently just too formidable. We just have to realize that it's going to be a long struggle and keep chipping away at the status quo. Have we got the time? James Lovelock says no. Even Monbiot, who has the knack of graphically detailing the catastrophe, then setting out the solutions, is getting pessimistic about the time scales. As urgent as these issues are, they're global considerations and not immediate things to address in a post TIF blog.

Although it's barely 24 hours since the result, GMCC talk is littered with post TIF analysis, some good, some not so good. The good stuff focuses on the positives to come out of the campaign such as, a greater awareness of the issues, like minded groups of people who came together for the event can stay working together now that the issues are clearer, more congestion will, ironically, encourage people to cycle commute and much more. One contributor reported on a secret cabal of bicycle shop owners who supported the no campaign. They've apparently stock-piled masses of commuter type bikes and are waiting for congestion to get so bad that people are forced into cycle commuting. I'm a bit naïve and haven't yet worked out whether it's a spoof or not, but the idea appeals to me. Rob Raikes, founder and current leader of Bicycle Doctor in Rusholme (Greater Manchester's best known cycle outlet) certainly isn't one of them. He lead one of the Tour de TIF groups, hi viz Yes tabbard and all. It was a little bit of light relief amongst the gloomy posts though.

I'm concentrating on things that I can do; cycling is a large part of the solution to congestion, if only we can persuade enough people to do it. The benefits have been stated and rehearsed ad infinitum – health, cost, environmental – I'm sure readers of this blog are familiar with them. Surveys have elicited that, when asked if they're in favour of cycling, 70% of people responded yes. To the follow up question of whether of not they cycled, most cited the traffic as the main reason why they didn't. Yet statistics show us that cycling is safer than driving and walking. Unfortunately, perception is all. Traffic can be safely dealt with on two wheels if only one knows how. There's an excellent book entitled 'Cycle Craft' written by John Franklin which explains how it's done. It only costs a tenner and could change your life. It's been adopted as the official text for the national Bikeability training scheme. Another good book to read is City Cycling written by Richard Ballintine. He cut his teeth on the traffic in New York but is now domiciled in London. He espouses the same techniques but in a different way.

About eighteen months ago, I was staffing a Green Party stall at an event in Central Manchester when two young lasses came up and said something like “Are, the Green Party. You're a bunch of hypocrites. You all run around in cars”. A gross over simplification of course, but I bet the majority of Party members still own cars. We need to put our own house in order.

I'm on the national register of Bikeability instructors. I spend my working days teaching children and adults how to ride in and with the traffic. I've offered my services to Trafford Greens on a number of occasions. The offer meets with approving nods but, so far, has fallen on deaf ears. If you want to get started on a bike, choose a suitable route for your commute or wants some tips, hints or training on sharing the road with our motorised cousins, I'm available after the Christmas holidays. By the way, this is missionary work for me, so there's no charge. Although a contribution to Trafford Green Party wouldn't go amiss.

Ernie Buck www.thebucstop.net arthriticernie@yahoo.co.uk

The Final Push for Yes Voters: Can You Help?

by Christine McLaughlin

The deadline for votes for the TIF proposals to massively improve public transport and ease congestion across Greater Manchester is fast approaching. The Trafford Green Party supports the Yes Campaign, but would like to see the proposals go further. Visit our website to find out more.

In the meantime, there are various campaigning activities you can get involved in if you want to make a real difference to the lives of people who use roads in and around Greater Manchester.

I’ve lifted the following directly from an email from Kevin Peel, founder of the Go! Greater Manchester campaign:

“We're nearing the end of the campaign and we need your help now more than ever. Turnout so far has been unbelievably low. Anecdotal evidence suggests that no voters will have voted early on and yes voters will vote later, if at all. The low turnout figures suggest 2 things - the first is that the no campaign have nowhere near as much support as they thought they did and the second is that getting out the vote now is of the utmost importance. All those people yet to fill out their ballot papers are natural yes voters, we just need to remind them what they're getting from this deal and what they stand to lose if apathy wins the day... and then get them to bloody fill out the form and send it back!!

Here's a round up of what you can do to help over the next few days:

Friday 5th December

GO! campaigners will be out tomorrow evening from about 4.30 at key transport hubs in Bury and really need your help. Call Gill Campbell if you want to go and help them.
Saturday 6th December

Campaigners will be out all day right across the city centre. You can help out at any time between 11am and 4pm for as much or as little time as you want - do an hour before your shopping! Call Jim Battle to find out more.

Monday 8th December
MEGA MONDAY
This really is the final battle! We need EVERYONE to descend on Manchester City Centre from 4pm onwards to help us get out and reach as many people we can at the bus stops, tram stops and train stations across the city centre. We'll be meeting in the reception area at the Lloyd Street entrance to Manchester Town Hall at 4pm and heading out at 4.15, however you can join us later on if you can't make that time. Just give me a call or contact Jim Battle.

Finally, there is still plenty of phone canvassing to be done and you can go in to the Yes office off Deansgate to do this at any point between 8am and 8pm. Contact Claire Nangle.

WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP PEOPLE! This is it - how many people we can get to fill out their ballot paper over the next few days WILL determine the outcome of this referendum. Do you want more congestion, dirtier air and a public transport system ready to collapse, or do you want to make all forms of transport, including cars, better for everyone, with massive investment in new buses, trams and trains? It's bizarre that we even need to be asking the question but ask it we must and it's up to you to help us get a resounding YES from the people of Greater Manchester.”

It’s not mentioned on the email, but from another source I can reveal there will be complimentary mulled wine and mince pies at KRO Piccadilly from 6.30pm onwards. I’m working on Saturday but I’m definitely going into town on Monday to do/ eat and drink what I can.

Most of the contact numbers for the above are personal mobile numbers, so I’ve taken them out to avoid disgruntled Hummer drivers lashing out when they lose the vote; if you need a contact number you can message me through this blog or on Facebook via the Trafford Green Party group.

Good luck to anyone who’s participating in the campaign and remember, the most important thing you can do is vote YES.