Lifted this from the triumph forum but applies to us all. I have emailed our local MP and urge you all to do the same as soon as possible as time is of the essence…… So if you're bored over the Easter weekend, maybe you could send a letter to your MP. This sent by MAG (Motorcycle Action Group)…….. We have significant news — and we need your help in the next few days to make the most of it. MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO WROTE TO THEIR MP Your letters and emails to MPs have made a real difference. Thanks to the volume of contact MPs have received from motorcyclists across the country, Conservative MP Bradley Thomas has agreed to lead a formal cross-party letter to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, calling for a review of the basis on which Vehicle Excise Duty is calculated for motorcycles. The letter has been sent by Bradley Thomas to every MP in the House of Commons, asking them to co-sign. The deadline for MPs to respond is Wednesday 8th April. Note MPs need to respond to Bradley Thomas MP, not MAG, not you as a constituent. Timescales are short so we need to be sure they communicate directly with Bradley Thomas’ office. WHAT THE LETTER CALLS FOR The letter makes the case that motorcycle VED — currently calculated on engine size alone — is inconsistent with the approach used for cars (CO2 emissions) and HGVs (weight). It calls on the Chancellor to: • Explain why engine size is still used as the basis for motorcycle VED • Commit to a formal review at the next fiscal event • Engage with the motorcycle sector as part of that review WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO — TODAY IF POSSIBLE Please contact your MP and ask them to reply YES to Bradley Thomas's email before Wednesday 8th April. You can find your MP and their contact details at: www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/ We suggest using this message, or your own words: Dear [MP's name], I am writing as a constituent and motorcyclist to ask you to support the cross-party letter on motorcycle Vehicle Excise Duty, sent to all MPs by Bradley Thomas MP this week. The letter calls on the Chancellor to review the basis on which motorcycle VED is calculated — currently engine size alone, unlike cars which are assessed on CO2 emissions. As one of the lightest and least damaging vehicles on the road, motorcycles deserve a fairer system. The deadline to reply YES is Wednesday 8th April. I would be very grateful for your support. Yours sincerely, [Your name] [Your address] Every MP who signs strengthens the pressure on the Chancellor to act. Please share this message with any fellow riders you know who would be willing to write to their MP, but please do not post on social media – we want to save wider publicity until the letter is sent to the chancellor. Thank you. Best wishes, Colin Brown Director of Campaigns and Political Engagement Motorcycle Action Group www.mag-uk.org
Whilst I applaud the intention I doubt it will achieve the desired result, and will instead lead to higher road tax for bikes and/or emission tests for bikes.
I’m hanging on to the thought that they are trying to go through the process but hoping it will slip by unnoticed. The cynic in me can’t help but question why the letter went out this of all weeks, requiring a response from MP’s by next Wednesday, when it’s the Easter weekend in the middle. Two bank holidays when nothing can be processed and I’ll wager many MP’s will be on a short break as it’s school holidays. However, we can but try (or not).
