Fuel Protests flop
Discussion
It said on the news this morning that most hauliers and farmers aren't physically supporting the protests this time and whilst sympathetic didn't want to be involved - maybe it was the bad press or something that frightened them off. As a good example, PH'ers have been rabiting on about fuel prices and how disgraceful they are, but were any of us there? I bet it's the same across all the motoring forums and magazines - everyone wants something done but no-one is prepared to do anything about it.
Up here in Jarrow the protestors weren't given a chance either - the Police ensured that no cars and people could stop near the venue hence any protestors that turned up were simply moved on.
Either way, I reckon the protestors got exactly what they hoped to achieve. They knew their numbers weren't huge and that a physical protest would result in what we're seeing today so got the media to cause a frenzy resulting in "panic" buying. The amount of fuel sold as a result of people filling up early shows fine well how much people rely on their cars IMO and whilst it'll have bugger all affect on the goverment it does show once and for all that a lot of people simply can't be without private transport.
>> Edited by docevi1 on Wednesday 14th September 09:16
Up here in Jarrow the protestors weren't given a chance either - the Police ensured that no cars and people could stop near the venue hence any protestors that turned up were simply moved on.
Either way, I reckon the protestors got exactly what they hoped to achieve. They knew their numbers weren't huge and that a physical protest would result in what we're seeing today so got the media to cause a frenzy resulting in "panic" buying. The amount of fuel sold as a result of people filling up early shows fine well how much people rely on their cars IMO and whilst it'll have bugger all affect on the goverment it does show once and for all that a lot of people simply can't be without private transport.
>> Edited by docevi1 on Wednesday 14th September 09:16
scared but happy said:
Shame! As this now means the govenment can do what the hell it likes and people just moan and do sod all AGAIN!!
I just wonder when the election was when these protestors were elected to speak for me and decide whether I can or can't buy petrol at whatever price I am prepared to pay and whether I should be able to earn a living. I just don't remember voting.
They had one of the principle organisers of last time and this time on earlier. He clearly stated that he was going to exercise his democratic right to peaceful protest - but there would be NO blockades of refineries, NO blockades of terminals and certainly not preventing any fuel from getting about. In fact he clearly stated that he was working with the police and authorities on his protest to minimise disruption.
So quite how this goes from a peaceful protest to a full-blown stoppage of the country I dont know. I didnt see the headlines in the press earlier in the week, but I assume the tabloids have been "bigging" this up somewhat and this is what has caused the panic buying.
I mean, when the retailers, the retailer association, the government, the police and oil companies all say there is no problem - why on earth do people panic buy? Dont get it myself.....
So quite how this goes from a peaceful protest to a full-blown stoppage of the country I dont know. I didnt see the headlines in the press earlier in the week, but I assume the tabloids have been "bigging" this up somewhat and this is what has caused the panic buying.
I mean, when the retailers, the retailer association, the government, the police and oil companies all say there is no problem - why on earth do people panic buy? Dont get it myself.....
shirepro said:
I just wonder when the election was when these protestors were elected to speak for me and decide whether I can or can't buy petrol at whatever price I am prepared to pay and whether I should be able to earn a living. I just don't remember voting.
so you want a complete democracy where you have a say in every minute detail in running this country. Thats a joke - did you vote in many of the Labour members directly or did you allow Phony Blair and his backside munchers do it for you? And these protestors had bugger all to do with you been able to buy petrol, the public did that
docevi1 said:
I just wonder when the election was when these protestors were elected to speak for me and decide whether I can or can't buy petrol at whatever price I am prepared to pay and whether I should be able to earn a living. I just don't remember voting.
And these protestors had bugger all to do with you been able to buy petrol, the public did that
shirepro made a very simple plain and valid point, certainly not worthy of ridicule, and as for the the other claptrap with a bit of politics thrown in its so flawed in so many ways its hardly worthy of disseminating.
shirepro said:
Shame! As this now means the govenment can do what the hell it likes and people just moan and do sod all AGAIN!!
I just wonder when the election was when these protestors were elected to speak for me and decide whether I can or can't buy petrol at whatever price I am prepared to pay and whether I should be able to earn a living. I just don't remember voting.
I agree BUT we need someone to speak for the common motorist instead of a load of yes men otherwise we will be steamrollered into paying £1.50 a litre and that is NOT what I wish considering it was around the 60p in 1997 . What will it be in 2010? £4? £8? while the US still laughs while driving thier gas guzzling monsters. We seem to be the ones that take the brunt of all these anti motorist schemes. The only ones left driving at this rate will be the extreamly rich.
I know!Podie said:
Did the protesters ever say they were going to blockade..? - or just protest..?
Nope, clearly stated PROTEST and NO blockades..... keeping it lawful and all above board......
But clearly the media have decided that the truth shouldn't get in the way of a good story and thats that!
Actually just heard on local radio to me - I know its crap, but radio auto-tuned itself to the station! The blithering idiot of a reporter started banging on about the fuel crisis in the county, and that it is all Hurricane Katrinas fault. And to cap it all, she clearly said "fuel shortages" and "panic" in the same sentence! My god - do they not understand or listen to what everyone is saying? Ah, sorry I do forget - it makes a good story too....
now my surmise of the situation is that oil prices will probably rise again from the current $65/bbl to about $80/bbl over the next few months as winter sets in in the northern hemisphere, ie europe and US. demand will increase again without any major increase in supply. also factor in the gulf hurricane, and the loss of US refining capacity. the oil goes to the highest bidder and is shipped off to its destination, where ever that may be. this will probably result in fuel at around £1.20/ltr as the norm in the UK. the question is, what then?
i may of course be wrong. but if it does rise to these levels, will "dick turpin" brown do something then? he may be forced to, not due to public pressure but due to ecconomic reality as his UK ecconomic "growth" forcast is shattered and inflation rises. not wishing to be a gloom merchant but Brown will probably take over as PM as a recession begins, and he partly caused it, by not reducing fuel taxation to maintain the price stability.
ps. this is all speculation as i am not an ecconomist but...
i may of course be wrong. but if it does rise to these levels, will "dick turpin" brown do something then? he may be forced to, not due to public pressure but due to ecconomic reality as his UK ecconomic "growth" forcast is shattered and inflation rises. not wishing to be a gloom merchant but Brown will probably take over as PM as a recession begins, and he partly caused it, by not reducing fuel taxation to maintain the price stability.
ps. this is all speculation as i am not an ecconomist but...
scared but happy said:
[quote=scared but happy]Shame! As this now means the govenment can do what the hell it likes and people just moan and do sod all AGAIN!!
I just wonder when the election was when these protestors were elected to speak for me and decide whether I can or can't buy petrol at whatever price I am prepared to pay and whether I should be able to earn a living. I just don't remember voting.
I just meant that a few people have decided my life is disrupted, and i don't know who they are, what their real motives are or what I can do to stop them. I elected a Govt to make these decisions for me and I live with that. I don't need self appointed pseudo politicians to do it.
If they felt that strogly they should have stood as a single issue party at the recent election instead of trying to hold me to ransome for my support.
shirepro said:
Shame! As this now means the govenment can do what the hell it likes and people just moan and do sod all AGAIN!!
I just wonder when the election was when these protestors were elected to speak for me and decide whether I can or can't buy petrol at whatever price I am prepared to pay and whether I should be able to earn a living. I just don't remember voting.
I would have thought most people have voted in this instance, if people felt that strongly about it they would have turned up, you didnt and nor did you turn up (as is your choice in any democracy) they felt strongly and turned up. Not sure I can see what you are complaining about really.
shirepro said:
shirepro said:
[quote=scared but happy]Shame! As this now means the govenment can do what the hell it likes and people just moan and do sod all AGAIN!!
I just wonder when the election was when these protestors were elected to speak for me and decide whether I can or can't buy petrol at whatever price I am prepared to pay and whether I should be able to earn a living. I just don't remember voting.
I just meant that a few people have decided my life is disrupted, and i don't know who they are, what their real motives are or what I can do to stop them. I elected a Govt to make these decisions for me and I live with that. I don't need self appointed pseudo politicians to do it.
If they felt that strogly they should have stood as a single issue party at the recent election instead of trying to hold me to ransome for my support.
It doesn't matter if you did vote anyway. More people voted Conservative than Labour, but the
ass wanking cock sucking child molesting s still got in 
shirepro said:
shirepro said:
[quote=scared but happy]Shame! As this now means the govenment can do what the hell it likes and people just moan and do sod all AGAIN!!
I just wonder when the election was when these protestors were elected to speak for me and decide whether I can or can't buy petrol at whatever price I am prepared to pay and whether I should be able to earn a living. I just don't remember voting.
I just meant that a few people have decided my life is disrupted, and i don't know who they are, what their real motives are or what I can do to stop them. I elected a Govt to make these decisions for me and I live with that. I don't need self appointed pseudo politicians to do it.
If they felt that strogly they should have stood as a single issue party at the recent election instead of trying to hold me to ransome for my support.
Should every single issue 'party' stand at election and make a mockery of the system? And OK these protesters have not been elected.....but is it up to you who is allowed to protest?
I might not agree with CND or parading the ashes or any number of events that cause mayhem and disrupt things for some unfortunates. Should all these things be banned? Surely having a democracy is something to do with the people being about to voice their concerns and not stamping out every protest as likely to spoil your drive through town.
BTW I
hate whit sunday 
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