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It's time for a better deal
Page 22
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HAULAGE CONTRACTORS must wonder what direction the next blow is coming from.
Having suffered for years with high fuel costs, restrictive drivers' hours, low speed limits, high insurance premiums and predatory traffic cops, things are about to get even worse with the introduction of the Working Time Directive and digital tachographs.
You really would think that even the dimmest politician would understand that road transport is the lifeblood of our country We all remember the slogan "If you've got it, a truck brought it!" and it is as true today as it was then. However, few MPs have any real-life experience and they continually cause havoc with crazy legislation. And it is not only haulage contractors who are getting a raw deal;
all round the country people are speaking out against mind-numbing bureaucracy and red tape. But how do we fight this—and will we ever be able to get our members of Parliament to see sense? Business people are normally far too busy to get involved in politics but we simply cannot afford to stay silent any longer.
The Conservative and Labour Parties have now held power for more than 80 years and we are continually sold down the river by people with little if any knowledge of what is actually happening on the ground. It is high time business demanded a better deal and haulage contractors should be at the front of the queue. Robert Durward Party Chairman The New Party 1 Northumberland Avenue London