South Thanet MP, Stephen Ladyman, has today called for the Government to strike a 'new deal' with motorists. In an article published on the 'Progress' website, the MP has warned Government that people will break their attachment to politicians before they break their attachment to the motor car.

"If we are serious about reducing the carbon footprint of the motor car we have to stay in power to do it and that means striking a new deal with the motorist. We need more of the carrot and less of the stick."

In the article Dr Ladyman calls for the Government to scrap the fuel duty escalator and replace it with a tax system that recognises that when fuel prices rise the Government's VAT take goes up so fuel duty can be decreased. "I think this would be fair to the motorist and fair to the Government" said Dr.Ladyman.

Also proposed in the article is that the Government should introduce a vignette system to ensure foreign hauliers are made to contribute to the cost of UK roads and  a 'feebate' system that would reduce the cost of buying a cleaner new card using a tax credit, paid for by people buying a more polluting car.

The article is one of a series of articles published by 10 Labour back benchers who are strong supporters of the New Labour Government and are aimed at suggesting policy initiatives that appeal to a broad cross section of voters.