Johnny Marr says that The Smiths “never fell out over politics,” but that they “probably would now.”Marr and songwriting partner Morrissey have had a number of high-profile beefs in the press since the band split up in the late 1980s, with Morrissey most recently asking Marr to stop mentioning him when giving interviews.In a new interview with The Guardian, Marr was posed questions by fans and celebrities about The Smiths, his solo work and beyond.In the interview, Marr was asked by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham: “Did the Smiths ever fall out over football or politics?”Marr replied: “We never discussed football so that’s that. And we never fell out over politics, but we probably would now.”A subsequent question from a fan then said: “Morrissey’s recent political views have cast a shadow over the Smiths for me – reaching back into the past and tainting something that was very important to me. I’m so disappointed in him.
Clean Air Zone: Andy Burnham's plan branded a 'tax on jobs'
20.01.2022 - 20:28 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Mayor Andy Burnham's plan to introduce a Clean Air Zone in Greater Manchester has been branded a "tax on jobs" by government ministers.
Set to be launched in May, the scheme is the largest of its kind in the country and will cover all ten boroughs - an area of around 493 miles.
The CAZ, which will hit drivers of high-emission vehicles, will see a £60 charge for HGVs, buses and coaches, £10 for vans and £7.50 for taxis and private hire cars.
READ MORE: It's grossly unfair': Those being hit by the Clean Air Zone - who don't even live in Greater Manchester
Failure to pay the charge will result in a £120 fine plus the daily charge.
Bury North MP James Daly, raising the issue in the Commons this afternoon, said the move would be a "disaster" for his constituents.
He said: "The Labour party’s tax on business, otherwise known as the Greater Manchester clean air zone, is a disaster for my constituents.
"It is impacting taxi drivers, small businesses and many others over an area of 493 square miles.
"I ask him to make time for a debate so that this House can tell the Mayor of Greater Manchester and all the Labour politicians, including the Labour leader of Bury Council, that that plan is not acceptable, that the voice of Parliament must be heard and that my constituents must not be penalised in that manner."
Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg, responding to Mr Daly, said: "Labour’s plan is essentially a tax on jobs, a tax on working people and an attack on the motorist.
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