Sadiq Khan remains committed to extend the ultra-low emission zone scheme despite criticism from Keir Starmer.

Pining the impact of the policy for the Uxbridge by-election loss, the Labour Party leader called on the London mayor to ‘reflect’ on his decision to expand it to the capital’s outer boroughs.

Labour overturned a 20,000 Tory majority in the North Yorkshire seat of Selby and Ainsty but could not secure the west London area.

But a source close to City Hall told Metro.co.uk the mayor ‘remains committed to implementing ULEZ’ as it is the right thing to do to save the lives of Londoners and tackle the climate crisis.

‘Sadiq Khan is happy to look at any new ideas for ways to mitigate the impact on Londoners without reducing the effectivness of the policy on tackling air quality and climate change,’ they added.

There has been much speculation about a turmoil in the party over the rollout, with some even claiming Khan will do a U-turn on the policy.

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Under the clean air zone scheme, drivers with the most polluting vehicles pay an extra £12.50 per day.

It will hit all London boroughs from next month despite Khan facing a High Court battle from Bexley, Bromley, Harrow, Hillingdon, and Surrey County Council.

After the results, Sir Keir told broadcaster there was ‘no doubt’ that ‘ULEZ was the reason that we lost the election in Uxbridge’.

‘I have said we should reflect on this, including the mayor. I have spoken to him as you would expect, and so there will be that reflection,’ he added.

The politician told his party’s national policy forum on Saturday future campaigns had to ‘learn the lesson’ from Uxbridge after the Tories plastered their campaign leaflets with attacks on the widening of the charge.

Labour has not won the seat for five decades and even Tony Blair did not have more success during the 1997 landslide.

Another source close to Khan also stressed that getting the votes in Uxbridge and South Ruislip was ‘always going to be a struggle’.

They added: ‘It is a disappointing result and Sadiq has been clear he is listening to Londoners following this by-election.

‘The mayor is always looking at ways he can address their concerns.

‘Sadiq has always said that expanding the ULEZ was a really difficult decision, but necessary to save the lives of young and vulnerable Londoners.’

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