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UNDER fire: Coun Hogg has been criticised over his remarks
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Nazi comment is 'unacceptable'
Alex Scapens6/ 8/2008
A LEADING councillor has been branded ‘out of order’ after comparing the proposed congestion charge with Nazi propaganda.
Kevin Hogg, Stockport Council’s executive member for Regeneration, made the remark while claiming that the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) - the organisation behind the proposed congestion charge - is putting out reams of "misinformation" to convince the public of its benefits.
He said: "The biggest load of misinformation is being given out.
"As propaganda it is nearly as bad as the Nazis in the Second World War."
His Nazi comments have been blasted as inappropriate and offensive by Jewish figures, including Sir Howard Bernstein - the GMPTA clerk.
Louis Rapaport, from the Manchester Jewish Representataive Council, said of the Nazi comparison: "To make a remark like that is completely out of order, inappropriate and not in context.
"It is totally unacceptable and irrelevant to the argument."
And Sir Howard added: "I find this comment very unfortunate. I am surprised a councillor has gone down this route as it is offensive."
Stockport Council leader, Coun Dave Goddard, publicly apologised for any offence caused, but admitted he could understand Coun Hogg’s frustrations.
He added: "It was an inappropriate phrase to use. But it (GMPTA’s campaign) is verging on propaganda."
Coun Hogg went on to claim that if the congestion scheme was introduced, commutors will drive to Stockport centre and clog up the roads searching for somewhere to park.
They would then use public transport to journey into Manchester to avoid paying charges at the city centre inner ring and outer ring that runs near central Stockport.
Coun Hogg added: "I went to a seminar about it, by the time I came out I was almost convinced it was a good thing. The general public are going to get completely the wrong idea.
"A better idea to get rid of congestion is to ban traffic from Manchester centre, or increase charges in car parks by £3 a day but that would hit businesses in the city centre."
Congestion charging in Stockholm has seen a 19 percent increase in traffic just outside the zone with a similar effect in London, he said.
A consultation on congestion charging ends in October with a referendum expected in December.
The scheme, which could arrive by 2013, will fund £1.8billion of £3billion to improve public transport in Greater Manchester.
A GMPTA spokesman said park and ride schemes in outlying areas would help prevent the 'Stockholm' effect. And that information and consultation dates could be found at www.gmfuturetransport.co.uk.
Most recent 2 of 4 user comments
DEMOCRACY IS ALIVE!
VOTE NO TO THIS CON CHARGE STEALTH TAX WAGE CUT.
VOTE NO TO A £2080 A YEAR PAYCUT IN DECEMBER.
11/08/2008 at 13:45
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