WHAT A NEW GOVERNMENT MEANS FOR YOUR CLASSIC

Mixed messages for classics across the political spectrum

Labour’s 2019 manifesto has revealed that it has no plans to exempt classic cars from its proposed vehicle Scrappage Scheme if it wins next month’s general election.

The party plans to launch a scheme to replace petrol and diesel cars more than ten years old with new electric models, giving buyers a £2000 incentive.

A Labour spokesperson confirmed that historic vehicles and modern classics would not be protected from the yearlong scheme, which would be expected to take 400,000 older cars off the road.

They said: ‘All cars that meet the criteria would be eligible for the Scrappage Scheme. It is available but, needless to say, it is in no way required.

‘Why would a classic car enthusiast scrap a valuable classic car for just £2000 off the purchase of an electric vehicle? We do not envisage enthusiasts doing so.’

The Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, say that they are not planning a scrappage scheme and are ‘not worried’ about the environmental impact of classic cars.

Instead, a spokeperson gave CCW details of alternate plans to tackle emissions – but hinted that modern classics could fall between the cracks of planned legislation. They said: ‘On classic cars – given the relatively limited numbers on the roads, we’re not worried about the impact they have given – the vast majority of emissions are from cars not considered classic.’

Neither party has plans to change the current arrangements for Vehicle Exise Duty and MoT exemptions.

CCW also approached the Green, Conservative and Brexit parties for comment, but none was forthcoming before we went to press.