UPROOTING OSTRICHES
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Well the industry has put itself on the political map now. The Westminster four, Blair, Brown, Straw and that other MP that owns two Jags (I thought he was a transport man. I must be wrong) did take their heads out of the sand after someone nudged them saying there will be no petrol for their cars. Mr Blair cleared the sand out of his ears and proclaimed that he was listening. Well, that's all water under the bridge now. As I see things now the ETA and RHA should be spearheading the campaign as one entity rather than the FA trying to disassociate itself from the efforts the grass-root members of the road haulage industry have made. I don't want to see all that has been done go unrewarded. There is a saying "Action speaks louder than words"; well, the whole nation saw the action. Now a few words to the government may improve the grass-root industries' members' chance of survival. If not the next action will be on a scale not seen before—that is, of course, if the big boys of the industry show their muscles.
f wouldn't say that this is our last chance but it better be good, otherwise the government will have us by the short and curlies.
According to media reports the big chief of the FA Mr Green has access to government ministers. Does the big chief of the RHA have the same access, or have they got to just put up with the many forums that seem to talk about anything other than reducing the tax burden put on the road transport industry?
As for the future, in the words of a certain host in a TV programme: "Now we've started we will finish.".
I hope at the end of all the efforts put in by all concerned that we can put our hands on our hearts and say: "Yes we've all got a reduction in operating taxes. Thank you Mr Blair and Mr Brown!"
Frank Taylor, Vehicle Engineenhg Services, Leeds.