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15th September 2005
Page 10
Page 10, 15th September 2005 — Comment
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Keywords : Politics

We must speak with one voice

MAO

Are peaceful protests the legal and moral right of all individuals or the pointless and disruptive outpourings of minority rage? A fascinating question — but not one that any of us should bother with at the moment. The very fact that a sizable proportion of operators support protests while lots more don't epitomises the problems faced by the road transport industry: it's fragmented. And you know the old saying: United we stand... All week people have been speculating about whether protests will happen, and if they do whether they will get close to the momentary country-stopping impact of the 2000 protests. The general consensus seems to be that the protesters are scattered and few in number. Some think we should go this way; some think we shouldn't. Is it any wonder that this industry's needs have been consistently ignored? "CM is committed to getting

the road transport message out into a wider arena if

The FTA and the RHA have trod a formal and respectful line, attending government meetings and putting their faith in collaborative plans. Unfortunately, this approach has achieved nothing aside from the WM. Their support for the Road Haulage Forum and the Lorry Road User Charge have left them embroiled for months in ultimately pointless meetings, only to be ushered out the back door, betrayed by government.

We're more interested here in fact than fault, but one enduring problem the trade associations now face is that they have lost the confidence and any influence they may once have had over many grass-roots operators. Stan Robinson has taken the initiative and organised a loose consortium of major players to push for direct access to government ministers. And good luck to him. But it's still a splinter action from a splintered industry. If we are to achieve anything, if we are to make government see that it is in its clear and immediate interest to cut fuel duty, then we must find a way of speaking with one voice: of educating the public with one message. We should persuade those industries which rely upon us —our customers — to speak on our behalf.

CMis committed to getting the road transport message out into a wider arena. Not just this week, or next week, but constantly and consistently. We're talking to the newspapers and to other industries. We won't stop until they hear us. How about you?

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People: Stan Robinson

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