Protest is only way
Page 8
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Will Gordon Brown freeze or even reduce diesel duty in the forthcoming Budget, as so many voices have been demanding? Will he hell! Word on the street predicts he'll raise it by 2-3% above inflation, rendering his triumphant abolition of the escalator last November no more than a cosmetic sham.
This could be a shrewd move from his point of view, raising further revenue while allowing him to argue that he has halved the increase compared with previous Budgets. And this would be true, of course. But it would be of little consolation to UK operators who will continue to face some of the most punitive fuel prices around. Neither will his promise of ring-fencing the money for road improvements cut much ice with hauliers wondering if they'll even be on the road next year.
Little wonder, then, that rumblings have started within the RHA and other bodies this week about further demonstrations, park-ups and other measures designed to bring the government to the negotiating table.
Whatever means of protest are embarked upon, if Brown does the dirty on 21 March, hauliers up and down the country should give their support wherever they legally and contractually can. Because without it, the haulage sector will never be taken seriously.
• Further evidence of just how ridiculous fuel prices are in Britain is provided this week by our investigation into black market trading (see page 2). If UK diesel prices were more in line with other states in Europe, drivers wouldn't find it worth selling from their tanks and black market traders wouldn't find it worth buying. Take a bow, Mr Brown...