After the speeches, Cox seized the microphone to thank a chap standing alongside him in a hi-vis vest, saying: “Now give an enormous due to Dangerous Phil, who organised at this time’s assembly and the others main as much as it elsewhere across the M25.”

The topic of the congratulations urged everybody current to “sustain the nice combat” earlier than stepping off the bus and melting into the gang.

I recognised him as one of many guys who had earlier waved me into the automotive park. Aspiring mayors and former parliamentarians apart, was Dangerous Phil the actual energy behind the anti-ULEZ marketing campaign and others fought on behalf of disgruntled drivers and bikers down the years?

I needed to know, which is how, just a few days later, I discovered myself at Elliott’s dwelling. I used to be eager to listen to his story, however first I needed to know why, residing so removed from London, he was so labored up in regards to the ULEZ.

“As a result of individuals who stay right here and whose automobiles don’t meet the ULEZ regs however who’ve pushed right down to London on enterprise or to see family and friends have advised me that, earlier than the scheme even goes stay, they’ve acquired letters from Transport for London [TfL] warning them that it’s taking place and that in the event that they enter the zone when it has been expanded, they are going to be charged,” he defined.