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Where was the 'original thinkingl
Page 26
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I WAS SURPRISED to read the Comment (CM 7 September) and the lambasting of the Tories' proposed re-introduction of fuel duty escalator. Not so much the taking to task of the Tories but CM'S petulant and lacklustre retort:it will do little to endear itself to any of the political parties.
Here was your chance to suggest new ideas and show the Shadow Secretary of State for Transport,Chris Grayling, the type of"original thinking" demanded by CM. if the Conservatives, or any of the political parties, wanted to solve the "problems of the 21st Century without crippling commerce-.
Instead you tried to belittle its ideas, quoting grand generalisations and statements, but with little or no substance, If Commercial Motor is at the heart of the road transport industry, as it says on the cover, then where are its policies? What is CM doing that is different?
Grayling, were he to read your Comment. would hardly be educated to the problems of the road transport industry —disproportionate red tape, cheaper overseas competition. poor policing of the industry, inadequate financial practices, ageing workforce, lack of an effectiv( toll system to charge all road users, excessive health and safety, and no Traffic Commissioner for Northern Ireland.
Perhaps the magazine has to face a few home truths itself, if its failed campaign for retrieving the .E2m fines for illegal stowaways is anything to go by, or the ill-fated campaign for raising national speed limits to 50mph on single-track A-roads.
Road transport is in a mess and politicians don't have much idea, but the Comment showed that CM doesn't seem to have much idea either... CM's clumsy response was cold and that is what really thickens the blood.
Thomas Bytield, exasperated owner-driver, Isleworth ,London Editor's response: Commercial Motor spends ntuchtinle educating politicians of aliparties about the problems facing road transport and we will continue to assess M Ps' propositions in the light of their likely effect on the road transport industry, and to support those ideas which will help operators. That's the whole of our manifestaAftet all, we're not the ones running for office.