Government debunked 15-minute city conspiracy it now backs - eviltoast
Levelling up department’s own guidance contradicts comments by transport secretary Mark Harper at Tory conference

Speaking to the Conservative party conference in Manchester today, transport secretary Mark Harper called himself “proudly pro-car,” while describing the concept of 15-minute cities – where local amenities are located within a 15-minute walk or cycle – as “sinister”.

“What is sinister, and what we shouldn’t tolerate,” said Harper, “is the idea that local councils can decide how often you go to the shops, and that they can ration who uses the roads and when, and that they police it all with CCTV.”

There has been opposition to 15-minute cities from those who say they are a front for “everlasting surveillance” and designed to restrict people’s freedom.

  • floofloof@lemmy.caEnglish
    28·
    1 year ago

    This twisting of the 15-minute city idea into something sinister is stolen from US Republicans. The anti-trans rhetoric coming from the Conservatives is also stolen from US Republicans. Today’s Conservative Party has no interest in even attempting to govern competently. Instead, they’re content just to copy Republicans with their idiotic talking points to stir up fake cultural divisions.

    • sim_@beehaw.orgEnglish
      12·
      1 year ago

      Some might say the ideas are “stolen” or borrowed, others might say intentionally coordinated if the Intolerance Network leaks are to be believed.

    • Cavemanfreak@lemm.eeEnglish
      8·
      1 year ago

      It’s almost like all the right parties in the west are paid to push the same divisive talking points.