Poor support for fuel demo...
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by David Craik Supporters of direct action against the fuel duty escalator have been left dejected and confused following the poor turnout of 200 trucks at the much-publicised M25 protest last Tuesday.
Despite causing congestion with goslow convoys in both directions, the planned two-day demo withered away 24 hours early due to a lack of planning for the next day's action.
For an hour outside Clackets Lane services on the Tuesday evening protesters argued among themselves whether to send a London convoy, to blockade the Blackwall Tunnel—or to postpone further action due to the lack of numbers. Duncan Maclean, of Oxfordshire-based DM Truck Washing, was angered by the lack of leadership. "We needed someone to stand up and direct us," he says. Other drivers were left 'astonished that nobody pulled the ideas together".
When two drivers did stand up to call for a vote on a blockade for the next day many, including Frank Stears of TransAction, went home. "I do not support blockades" says Stears. "I was very disappointed by the turnout—obviously there is not a large problem with fuel after all.'' Stears sees ''little point in continuing with convoys with such lack of support". However, there will be another demo if hauliers want it, "Please call Trans-Action and let us know what you want to do," he says. "We also need to find out why so few keep turning up."
Martin Hall of Fishguard-based WF Hall and Son supports a national park-up. "I fear then is a feeling among many that they are now fed up with any kind of protest because they have not got anywhere so far," he says.
w Only 12 trucks made the much publicised trip into London's West End the following day: they were outnumbered by police awaiting a larger protest.
Despite talk of a mass drive to protest outside the House Of Commons, the handful of operators, including two from as far away as Cornwall. parked on the edge of Hyde Park before walking down to the Houses of Parliament.