tick, tock tick, tock
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
You know you're making progress when politicians start to sweat. And sweat they did when the nation was brought to the brink by a group of people they thought they could fob off endlessly. CM can only congratulate the hauliers, farmers and others involved in the protests for forcing the issue of fuel taxation to the top of the political agenda in a way that no amount of talking ever could.
Staying peaceful and within the Law, the protesters withdrew with perfect tuning just as the politicians were gearing up for a major smear campaign based largely on a failing NHS—stealing their thunder before they could deploy it, and ensuring that public opinion remained if wily on the right side.
Not everybody approved of course, but if nothing else the protest has forced the issue, putting Messrs Blair and Brown on the spot. They know that if they don't come up with tangible concessions in the November Budget Statement they will face further discontent. And next time it could be more serious.
They won't want to back down, but can they really afford not to? Nobody wants to live in a country where protest forces policy with regularity. But nobody wants to live in a country where an arrogant government refuses to listen to the industry that makes the wheels go round.
As the deadline approaches, the pressure will rise. Sixty days to find a face-saving solution and win back the public's respect. Sixty days to stagemanage the climb-down and start solving the problem. Or sixty days to dig yourself even deeper Your choice, Mr Blair. The dock has been ticking for over a week already. Is that a bead of perspiration on your brow?