Mayor of 'anti-car' council brags of being driven in taxpayer-funded limo - 'Completely out of touch!'

The Labour councillor's comments have drawn criticism, with residents in his borough face parking permit increases of up to 444 per cent and controversial Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes.

Lambeth Council has imposed a crackdown on motorists since declaring a climate emergency in 2019.

In the TikTok interview, Ennis highlighted the mayoral chain as "pretty nice" before enthusiastically describing his official car service.

"You get a nice car as well, you get driven around ... it's sick," the mayor told DJ AG.

Anthony Boutall, Lambeth's former Conservative candidate in the general election, condemned the comments as a "kick in the teeth for residents."

"Labour politicians are completely out of touch with hard-pressed families who have to face the harsh realities of the party's pernicious policies," Boutall told The Times.

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Under Lambeth Council's new parking policies, residents with diesel vehicles now face annual permit costs of up to £800.

Even owners of zero-emissions vehicles have seen charges rise from £39.50 to £128.26 per year, marking a 224 per cent increase since 2023.

Drivers of one-litre diesel cars must now pay £350.14 annually for permits.

The cost rises further to £450.22 if paid in quarterly instalments - representing a 444 per cent increase over two years.

These increases form part of the Labour-run council's broader strategy to limit car use in the borough.

The council's Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes have faced significant opposition, with officials being taken to court by residents over a "flawed" plan in West Dulwich.

Legal documents revealed that 67.5 per cent of locals consulted were "either unhappy or very unhappy" with the LTN proposals.

The 23-page court filing detailed how council members left a consultation event early, taking "an unadvertised lunch break" that prevented some residents from participating.

The council has reportedly spent £3.4million on LTN schemes, which residents claim have caused traffic jams on a main London route.

Documents also showed the council attempted to rebrand LTNs as "street improvements" due to negative associations with the term.

Local business owners have expressed frustration with the LTN schemes' impact on their communities.

Harriet De Wolff, 57, who owns The Indigo Tree gift shop on Streatham High Road, described the situation as "an absolute nightmare."

"It's definitely not good for pollution. It's made it worse," she said.

"I can taste the fumes in my mouth as I walk down Streatham High Road. That didn't use to be the case, but now, all the cars and buses stopped in traffic – it's causing more and more pollution."

De Wolff added: "People who live on this street will never be able to open their windows again."

Lambeth Council defended its mayor in a statement, noting that Ennis "goes to events across Lambeth every day and is inspiring young people."

The council emphasised that Ennis also cycles and uses public transport in his official role, adding that their mayoral vehicle is a hybrid model.

Officials justified their transport policies, stating: "Our wide range of healthy neighbourhood measures, from mini-parks, segregated cycle lanes, more trees, fairer use of our streets, extra bike storage and more all aim to clean our inner London borough's heavily polluted air."

The council added that "all council spending is under review".