Look Ahead
Page 3
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IN something less than two years' time the voters of Great Britain will have to elect a new (,overnment; it is at least possible that the Conservatives will seek another mandate before that time limit expires; and there is little doubt that, before any election takes place, this country will have become a member of the European Economic Community.
To say that the future progress of road transport will be shaped to a considerable extent by the effect of those iinminent facts is no overstatement. Operators would do well to digest this before the turmoil of electioneering. The Socialists have swung unequivocally back to renationalization of long-distance road haulage (probably after similar treatment for the steel industry) and 'without a doubt would want to control C licences and " integrate" road passenger services, particularly in urban areas, as well. How renationalization of long-distance haulage could be reconciled with the E.E.C.'s avowed policy of users' freedom of choice is something the Labour Party might care to explain.
There are big questions ahead. Operators must get a clear picture well before these questions arise, so that unhesitating answers can be given. The electors should know the issues involved and operators must lose no opportunity to state their case in public.
Too often in the past, road transport has suffered from its own modest approach to matters of public interest. This time it must not happen; the public is being heavily " conditioned " by the pro-rail elements. Road operators must redress the balance by every means at their disposal.