THERESA May has invited us to vote Tory because only she is capable of creating a “strong and stable” government.

Times of crisis do indeed require strong leadership but May’s version of strong leadership is little more than vacuous sloganising (e.g. “Brexit means Brexit”).

We have a toxic air crisis that is estimated to cause 23,000 early deaths.

So what have the Tories done about it?

For seven years they delayed publishing any policy proposals until court action forced them to.

The only effective way to reduce toxic nitrogen dioxide levels caused by diesel engine emissions is to keep diesel vehicles out of urban centres.

This would require immediate action to deter polluting drivers with charges.

But taking such action would lose votes so what has our “strong and stable” leader done?

Instead of taking action at a national level she proposes to pass the buck to local authorities expecting them to impose the necessary charges and then let them face the consequences at the next local elections.

The much touted national scrappage scheme turns out to be a sick joke.

Only 0.1 per cent of diesel cars would be included in the scheme.

Why so?

At the root of the issue is the same political calculation.

How many votes would be gained or lost by the Tories if they imposed tough new national measures?

Her government’s document acknowledges that the toxic air crisis is the largest environmental threat to public health in the UK.

But they do nothing because staying in power is more important than anything else.

So if you value your health (and that of your children) use your vote in Stroud to get Neil Carmichael out.

Andy Treacher

Stroud