COMMENT
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Missing link...
This week we got a phone call from a trade association asking us what our position was on the planned day of protest on the t8 May. Would we condemn it? Our position is simple: CM stands four-square behind the industry's fight for a better deal on diesel. We'll not encourage anyone to break the law, but we're not the ones who'll be deciding if anyone's broken the law on the demo—that will be up to the police.
Before the trade associations start fretting about the impact of such demonstrations, they have only to look at their own success record on this issue to see why so many hauliers are taking matters into their own hands.
The thing is, something's missing. Something very big is missing. A week after pointing out that the industry isn't getting its PR message over well enough we're reporting on possible action which could include disrupting traffic on the M25. That's one hell of a jump to make. Somewhere in between there should be a coherent campaign uniting every truck operator in the country in the fight for lower fuel and VED rates. Step forward the trade associations...
If the whole of the industry was united (which it isn't), and if every politician were listening (which they aren't), and if every member of the Great British Public accepted the vital role that road transport has in our society (which they don't), then maybe, just maybe, the message would get through to the Treasury.
But all those little ducks simply aren't in a row—and it remains to be seen whether direct action will get them in line any sooner.