'Look into the future and envisage only foreign vehicles on our roads'
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( hat is the definition of a bully?
Someone who intimidates only the weak and powerless. The Department of Transport seems happy for a British industry that requires no Government support or subsidy to pay tolls and taxes to other -often richer—foreign countries while allowing hauliers from those countries to use our roads without payment of any kind.
The DOT's reluctance to fight for sufficient permits for British hauliers visiting Austria, for example, puts British jobs and businesses in peril.
As European governments think up new ways to impose charges on hauliers, British international hauliers will be forced to turn back to the UK market to try to make a living. Whether in containers, general haulage or bulkers the effect does not need to be spelt out.
The DOT is international in outlook when urging the introduction of cabotage which undoubtedly works to the detriment of the UK haulier. But it has a purely parochial view when imposing an exorbitant level of vehicle excise duty If the LGV department of the DOT is paid to safeguard British interests then it is clearly taking money under false pretences. The former KGB is an open book compared to these manderins with their obsession for obfuscating important issues. The media and public should be made aware of how these civil service policy makers are the biggest obstacle to free and fair competition.
If British haulage is to survive, it is vital that the DOT does not make any policy decisions which would put UK hauliers at a further disadvantage.
The policy makers should have a basic grasp of business and economics to ensure that hauliers are not continually engaged in an unequal struggle.
The English Civil War of 1642 and the American War of Independence of 1776 were the result of ordinary reasonable people being enraged by unjust taxes levied against them. For the same reasons, the British haulier must make his last stand.
Transport unions and trade associations must form a common front to combat the inequalities that are foisted upon 1.:K hauliers. If these organisations were seen to be vigorous in fighting Britain's corner, their memberships would surely increase.
All governments need revenue and usually extract it from the groups which offer the least resistance. With Britain's high public sector borrowing requirement, the forthcoming budget could see an increase in \TED and fuel taxes as well as the abolition of the concessionary rate for multi-axled vehicles. Action to resist these damaging measures should be taken now.
So what methods can we employ to demonstrate our anger and concern? A convoy to Marsham Street or a two-hour goslow on the M25? If these suggestions shock you, look into the future and envisage only foreign vehicles on our roads.
French farmers, fishermen and hauliers have taken drastic actions resulting in maximum international publicity for their cause.
Do we need to go as far as this? One final thought to be considered, especially by the anti-lorry brigade, if all British hauliers go to the wall who then will pay for the upkeep of our roads?