Petrol Protests
Discussion
Whilst the planned M4 protest is getting underway, isn't it about time we had another fuel price protest? The price of petrol is already the same as at the time of the last protest. Have the organisers of the last protests had their lives made a misery by the authorities ever since to prevent them taking action again?
Petrol protests are planned to commence on the 3rd May - hoping to disrupt the election.
Here's hoping
www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1581107,00.html
Here's hoping
www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1581107,00.html
I'm not sure it's a good idea at this time. People might increasingly rally to the support of the government if there is a conflict, and I, for one, would not like to see Labour benefitting from that. On balance I think the protest should be delayed for a while.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Well I'm a Socialist tripleS, but don't read into that, that I support this government (which is not socialist - ask 'em, go on!). I certainly do not agree with many of their polices. "Champagne Socialists" I call 'em, never done a days work in their lives. Most of 'em straight from university with "all the answers". 
I view the Tax on fuel as unsustainable, what economy in this new "global" world can afford the luxury of 350% tax on a basic need like this, especially when prices are likely to rocket anyway has it becomes more rare. We HAVE to move towards a cheaper regime if we are to survive.
We need a thriving industry again, to enable us to compete in this world, and I'm sorry to say that the predictable "tax cuts for the rich" message from the conservatives is not what we want to hear.
A reduction in fuel tax would benefit all and enable us to regain some industrial muscle, before the "crunch" comes. And it's NOT that far away. The 60's.......The British Merchant Navy, Yesterday........The Miners, Today........Rover, Tommorrow.........Jaguar? The day after......?
I view the Tax on fuel as unsustainable, what economy in this new "global" world can afford the luxury of 350% tax on a basic need like this, especially when prices are likely to rocket anyway has it becomes more rare. We HAVE to move towards a cheaper regime if we are to survive.
We need a thriving industry again, to enable us to compete in this world, and I'm sorry to say that the predictable "tax cuts for the rich" message from the conservatives is not what we want to hear.
A reduction in fuel tax would benefit all and enable us to regain some industrial muscle, before the "crunch" comes. And it's NOT that far away. The 60's.......The British Merchant Navy, Yesterday........The Miners, Today........Rover, Tommorrow.........Jaguar? The day after......?
TripleS said:Erm... no. The last fuel protest was the only time between 1997 and 2004 that the Tories overtook Labour in the opinion polls...
I'm not sure it's a good idea at this time. People might increasingly rally to the support of the government if there is a conflict, and I, for one, would not like to see Labour benefitting from that. On balance I think the protest should be delayed for a while.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Looks like the protests have started:
Fuel duty campaigners are demonstrating outside a Cheshire oil refinery in protest at high fuel costs.
They are the same protesters who organised nationwide action at fuel depots in 2000.
By setting up outside Stanlow oil near Ellesmere Port, they want to make fuel prices an issue in the general election, said organiser David Handley.
A spokeswoman for Shell said that Monday's protest had not caused any disruption to the fuel supply.
The protest is made up of 14 tractors and about 20 people on foot and began at about 0500 BST.
Mr Handley, one of the founders of the Farmers for Action group, said he wanted politicians to address the issue of fuel prices.
"In 2000 they promised they would look at the situation in relation to fuel and fuel tax.
"Here we are in 2005 and the government of the day don't even seem to be having it on the agenda," Mr Handley said.
"Everyone out there on low wages are paying an enormous price. It's over £4 a gallon of unleaded. Where is all this money going?" he added.
The protesters are using tractors to blockade a road adjacent to the refinery.
Road cordon
Cheshire Police have cordoned off the road, a spokeswoman for Shell said.
She added: "Tanker movements have not been disrupted and there has been no impact on supply.
"We are monitoring the situation closely and have contingency plans to deal with a range of scenarios that may affect our operations.
"We would like to reassure our customers that we will do our very best to ensure there is no interruption to supply.
"We respect the public's right to demonstrate but would urge protesters to take into consideration the impact that their protest might have on the broader public."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/frontpage/4480257.stm
Fuel duty campaigners are demonstrating outside a Cheshire oil refinery in protest at high fuel costs.
They are the same protesters who organised nationwide action at fuel depots in 2000.
By setting up outside Stanlow oil near Ellesmere Port, they want to make fuel prices an issue in the general election, said organiser David Handley.
A spokeswoman for Shell said that Monday's protest had not caused any disruption to the fuel supply.
The protest is made up of 14 tractors and about 20 people on foot and began at about 0500 BST.
Mr Handley, one of the founders of the Farmers for Action group, said he wanted politicians to address the issue of fuel prices.
"In 2000 they promised they would look at the situation in relation to fuel and fuel tax.
"Here we are in 2005 and the government of the day don't even seem to be having it on the agenda," Mr Handley said.
"Everyone out there on low wages are paying an enormous price. It's over £4 a gallon of unleaded. Where is all this money going?" he added.
The protesters are using tractors to blockade a road adjacent to the refinery.
Road cordon
Cheshire Police have cordoned off the road, a spokeswoman for Shell said.
She added: "Tanker movements have not been disrupted and there has been no impact on supply.
"We are monitoring the situation closely and have contingency plans to deal with a range of scenarios that may affect our operations.
"We would like to reassure our customers that we will do our very best to ensure there is no interruption to supply.
"We respect the public's right to demonstrate but would urge protesters to take into consideration the impact that their protest might have on the broader public."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/frontpage/4480257.stm
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