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ii . w hy D e s p l a e s r t a s t e e t p i t m e

5th July 2001, Page 48
5th July 2001
Page 48
Page 48, 5th July 2001 — ii . w hy D e s p l a e s r t a s t e e t p i t m e
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

emsbcearl I hfuo nr ddreesdpse or fa thea uml i ee ar ss ubrl eo sc .k Ta hd aetd' s

oil refineries around the country in protest against rising fuel prices. The British haulage industry is being eroded by foreign competition and lower Continental fuel prices. Continental hauliers are currently

H-12' undercutting our rates by around 7

zi 30%. Do you know of any industry 2i' that can survive competition like that?

1 Something needed to be done and still needs to be done. g Despite being branded as hooligans and derided by the press and ig the government, the blockades we set up last year were 100% T successful. Fuel and VED taxes were reduced, and fuel prices

became an election issue. Smaller successes than we wanted, maybe, but at last things were moving, and moving in the right direction. And that's precisely why I'm prepared to blockade again.

Fuel prices are still inching their way upwards and those representing us—the trade associations—seem to have forgotten that they represent us, many of whom are small, family-run hauliers. We achieved more in the four days of blockades than both these bodies have over the past five years. We've done their hard work for them and clawed our way onto the political agenda. We gave them the golden glove to show the government that the grass roots of this industry can be a powerful force.

I have personally tried to do my bit. I'm a farmer with livestock and I operate two vehicles. I used to operate 18 on livestock haulage but had to sell up because of the BSE crisis. I started up again in 1999 and during 20001 saw my fuel bill rise substantially— although I had a little more work my profit margin remained static. Now I'm looking for homes for my 17-tonner and my 24-tonner which haven't left the yard since foot-and-mouth restrictions were imposed on 23 February. I've had a terrible year so I'm looking for agency work. I've done my bit by speaking in front of audiences of thousands of people up and down the country at my own expense.

The only reason I stood against Tony Blair in the general election was so I could meet him face to face to explain the problems haulage and farming are going through.

All right, as the UK Independence Party candidate I only got 974 votes against his 28,110, but no-one mentions that in the 997 election he got 34,500, so his popularity is on the wane.

Contrary to popular belief I'm not a militant person, but I do believe in solidarity. I'd rather not blockade again—but not because I think it was the wrong thing to do. Quite the opposite.

When I stood outside those refineries with men whose feelings were as strong as mine, it was a most humbling experience. I would even get arrested again if it meant I could save one man's job for the rest of his life. I stand behind everything I've said and done. But I would like the associations to listen to us and meet with us and for us all to be engaged in proper dialogue to get the government to address the fuel price issue.

There is nothing special about 0 me—I am a third-generation haulier like thousands of other "small" men in our industry—but I just want to remain

competitive. is that too much to ask?

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People: Tony Blair

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