ONE of Hampshire’s top politicians has come under fire after writing an article contemplating a future shake-up of car ownership to cut congestion.

Dr Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, has suggested financial arrangements for vehicle ownership may have to be altered in the next generation to prevent the country from grinding to a halt.

But his suggestion has been branded “bonkers” by one of his political opponents.

It comes after new Government figures revealed the number of licensed vehicles on Britain’s roads has exceeded 35 million for the first time.

Writing in a national newspaper, Dr Whitehead warned that the country was set to face a “national traffic jam” before 2040 if growth in car mileage continued.

He mentioned the growing popularity of car clubs, in which users share rather than own individual vehicles.

Dr Whitehead said: “What if the Government simply regulated for cars to be sold and used just as they are at present (hopefully with an increasing presence of electric and hybrid vehicles) but outlawed individual ownership?”

"People would then lease cars individually or as part of a club and the running costs of having a vehicle would be included in the lease arrangements.

"No one would be prohibited from using a car, but the playing field of choice would instantly be levelled."

The MP admitted that his idea was “probably too fanciful to take off”.

But his comments have come under fire from Jeremy Moulton, Tory candidate for Southampton Test in next year’s general election.

Cllr Moulton described Dr Whitehead’s suggestion as “bonkers” and claimed that the MP was “completely out of touch with reality”.

Daily Echo: Cllr Jeremy Moulton

Cllr Jeremy Moulton, Tory candidate for Southampton Test at next year's General Election

He added: “Rather than spending his time penning this sort of nonsense he should be delivering results for his constituents.”