The Hauliers and Farmers Alliance was formed because of the
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apparent aim of the UK government to destroy our two industries. We are ordinary, hardworking, honest people with no political axe to grind, no ulterior motives and no hidden agenda. The aim of the Alliance is to pressure ministers into creating a level playing field with regard to taxation and subsidies across the EU.
The hauliers' primary objectives are to; • Significantly reduce the fuel duty and VED paid by UK companies; • Stop hauliers being made liable for illegal immigrants; • Persuade the government to charge foreign vehicles for use of UK roads and limit the amount of cheap fuel brought into this country; • Stop European operators from employing non-EU drivers to make deliveries within Europe;
II Address the problems within the 0-licensing system and the VI; ci • Make government aware of the considerable detrimental effect that the 48-hour working week will have on UK haulage.
We all have our own views on the performance of our trade E organisations during these past few catastrophic years, namely the
EE, • last Forum farce between lobby groups and ministers and now the g Transport Select Committee. We feel that, confronted by the
• overwhelming facts, the latter will once again be forced to admit that vast differentials exist in taxation within the EU but will do absolutely nothing about it.
Industry is consistently told that we must be more and more efficient to enable us to compete in Europe. This government is forcing one of the most successful logistics operations in the world to its knees because of crippling taxation.
When it was announced that Longbridge was under threat, with the possibility of 50,000 jobs being lost in the West Midlands, a government minister was there the next day assuring the workforce that everything in his power would be done to keep the plant open or that new initiatives would be set up. We are extremely pleased by the way things worked out.
But what about the 50,000 jobs which will be lost in the UK haulage industry as a result of the taxation policies of this and the previous government? We all know of many reputable companies, small hauliers and owner-drivers who have been forced to close their doors in recent years. Will you or I be next? There will never be an end to the relentless rise in fuel duty and VED until people in road haulage join together and show the government that they are not prepared to sit back and take this obscene attack on one section of UK industry any more.
It is now time to take your heads out of the sand—this is NOT going to go away; there is NO light at the end of the tunnel.
The HFA is organising a week-long national protest, The Drive to Survive, which is likely to take place in September. It will take the form of a rolling convoy beginning in Scotland, moving south and taking in as many major cities as possible en route to the capital. The farmers will be involved every step of the way; some being piggy-backed by hauliers doing the full distance, others protesting around city centres.
We need people to get involved. We need people around the country to persuade others to take part—to collaborate with farmers to make this protest the enormous show of anger and dissent which we all feel. We need you.
You can help in many ways: • Join the convoy—if not for the full distance, then at least part of it; • Take part in the protest at your nearest city centre; • Lend flat trailers or low loaders to hauliers taking part in order to transport farmers' vehicles to the protest; • Canvas other hauliers in your area to become involved; • Hound your local MP, the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and Transport Minister; • Park your vehicles up or give your drivers holidays during the protest; • Make a financial contribution to the considerable organisational costs. Apathy is one of our greatest enemies. Do not allow one section of hauliers to fight for everyone in this industry. Do not sit back, do nothing and wait to reap the benefits with no outlay or sacrifice to yourself.
The HFA is in contact with other groups around the country. We would like to bring everyone together under one banner and forge new links—unity is strength.
We are literally fighting for the survival of our industry. Please try and support us in any way you can. Together we will make a difference and look forward hopefully to a better future. No government has ever reduced fuel duty after a Budget. We aim to rectify this.
• Len Johnson can be contacted on 01207 281488.