There’s something insidiously evil about a system of Government that uses bribes and threats to achieve its’ goal of coercing ‘its’ citizens into agreeing to a radical expensive new tax — the congestion charge.

Unlike Alan Calvert, I am not intimidated by the dictatorial threats made by the authorities, that unless there is a “yes vote” there will be no extra investment in public transport. I have voted No.

Alan posed the question that if there is a No Vote,” where will the money come from for the extra public transport investment?

I believe the money should come out of the many billions of pounds that are already paid in by the people of Greater Manchester every year in council taxes, corporation tax, fuel tax, income tax, VAT, etc.

In this context, the £1.5 billion the Government is promising in the form of a grant is an insult to the many thousands of hard working people in Greater Manchester who will be saddled with this unjust and stupid tax, perhaps for the rest of their working lives To vote ‘yes’ for congestion charging is the same as a turkey voting Yes to bringing forward Christmas. Indeed, I’d urge voters to tell those who back this plan to get stuffed!

It’s a definite “no brainer” issue. Vote No.

Stuart A Chapman, Patterdale Road, Harwood