The Long Retreat.......what are they up to now?
Discussion
Spotted this in the national press last week.
Anyone believe it...............?
"Labour has finally abandoned its crusade to price people out of their cars and on to public transport.
Environment Minister Michael Meacher - the Government's leading 'green' - completed the long retreat yesterday by admitting the party had lost its war on motorists.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott launched the campaign after the 1997 election when he pledged to encourage greater use of trains and buses.
But Mr Meacher, who also drives a Jaguar, said in future the Government would try to use 'positive incentives' rather than the stick of higher petrol prices and congestion charges.
His comments were welcomed by motoring organisations, who said they were relieved Labour had adopted a more sensible approach.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Meacher said: 'I don't think (big increases in petrol prices) are on.
'In a democracy, you can only go as far as people are willing to go.'
He conceded that the fuel protests three years ago had a profound impact on Government thinking.
Richard Freeman, of the AA, said: 'Politicians are finally facing up to reality and seeing the world as it is, rather than how they would like it to be.
'You can't simply get rid of cars - they are an essential part of life.
'And if you try to make something which is essential expensive to use, then you will face a backlash.' "
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And what do they mean by "Positive incentives".......kidnapping loved ones.......???
Anyone believe it...............?
"Labour has finally abandoned its crusade to price people out of their cars and on to public transport.
Environment Minister Michael Meacher - the Government's leading 'green' - completed the long retreat yesterday by admitting the party had lost its war on motorists.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott launched the campaign after the 1997 election when he pledged to encourage greater use of trains and buses.
But Mr Meacher, who also drives a Jaguar, said in future the Government would try to use 'positive incentives' rather than the stick of higher petrol prices and congestion charges.
His comments were welcomed by motoring organisations, who said they were relieved Labour had adopted a more sensible approach.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Meacher said: 'I don't think (big increases in petrol prices) are on.
'In a democracy, you can only go as far as people are willing to go.'
He conceded that the fuel protests three years ago had a profound impact on Government thinking.
Richard Freeman, of the AA, said: 'Politicians are finally facing up to reality and seeing the world as it is, rather than how they would like it to be.
'You can't simply get rid of cars - they are an essential part of life.
'And if you try to make something which is essential expensive to use, then you will face a backlash.' "
--------------------------
And what do they mean by "Positive incentives".......kidnapping loved ones.......???
You lot don't have an election coming any time soon do you? Sounds like this is a "lip service" type of tactic to calm voters through until people get elected...
...Don't suppose they would roll back the price of petrol since they are admitting they lost, eh?
not a political expert, but seen some of the tactics
ErnestM
...Don't suppose they would roll back the price of petrol since they are admitting they lost, eh?
not a political expert, but seen some of the tactics
ErnestM
Meachers a hypocrite of the worst kind.
"Oh no one needs more than one home"......despite him having 5!!!!
This kind of statement is just bull, hes trying to divert attention from this governments shoddy treatment of motorists, and it just shows, that after all theyve been telling. that they really had declared war on us.
"Oh no one needs more than one home"......despite him having 5!!!!
This kind of statement is just bull, hes trying to divert attention from this governments shoddy treatment of motorists, and it just shows, that after all theyve been telling. that they really had declared war on us.
I'm willing to bet the Motorbikers on here will not have any great love for Micheal Meacher.
He managed to upset them bigtime with his "motorbikers should be banned from country parks" routine.
But seriously the guy really is an arsehole.
I wouldn't cross the road to spit on him.
Andy
He managed to upset them bigtime with his "motorbikers should be banned from country parks" routine.
But seriously the guy really is an arsehole.
I wouldn't cross the road to spit on him.
Andy
OPEC wants to keep the price of oil between $22 and $28 a barrel because they fear more would damage the world economy. In some developing countries the price of fuel is kept down to help the economy and Florida has a policy of keping the tax down for similar reasons. It seems that our successive governments don't understand the same econmics as the rest of the world.
When I first read that I had a 'TROLL ALERT' warning light start flashing.
Anyone who believes the government will relinquish income or openly admit defeat for reasons other than re-election needs to wake up and take a shot at living in the real world.
Government? Conceed to us dangerous, selfish, polluting, child-murdering motorists?
I think not.
Anyone who believes the government will relinquish income or openly admit defeat for reasons other than re-election needs to wake up and take a shot at living in the real world.
Government? Conceed to us dangerous, selfish, polluting, child-murdering motorists?
I think not. Speed Matters | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff