Pressure group Transaction 2007 has vowed to hold talks tonight at a central location in the country to discuss a nationwide protest of thousands of truckers over fuel prices.
The group's website states that talks will be held over "When and How Protest Action" will be commenced.
It adds: "Representatives attending this meeting will be from Scotland, the North East, North/South Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia, the South West/East, and Cornwall. All regions have agreed to work collectively on this issue.
"It is the view of the UK Road Haulage Industry, that this very grave situation can be averted by The Prime Minister The Right Hon. Mr Gordon Brown and HM treasury, listening to what the Directors of the RHA and it's membership, ALL 10,000 of us, have to say, on the subject of parity on fuel duty with our continental counterparts."
It goes on to say: "RHA/TransAction 2007 members, would respectfully ask Mr Gordon Brown and HM Treasury to consider, what the effect of high levels of fuel duty is having, not only on the UK Road Haulage Industry, but also the UK Economy".
- Brings back memories of the 2000 protests -
Meanwhile in a statement issued yesterday (5/12/07) the RHA has strongly tried to distance itself from Transaction 2007 with a statement saying:
"The Road Haulage Association feels it necessary to make a number of urgent points concerning the Association and the pressure group calling itself Transaction 2007.
"The RHA is not 'in association with' the pressure group, although this assertion is made on its website. The expressions used such as 'RHA/Transaction 2007 members' are highly misleading, implying a relationship which does not exist.
"The RHA has never been involved in negotiations with Transaction 2007 but has, as a matter of courtesy, held discussions with RHA members who are also part of the pressure group.
"The RHA will always support members who wish to protest legally where members have expressed that wish through the RHA regional organisation.
"Comments within Transaction 2007 suggesting that legal and peaceful protests would produce no results and that more direct action should be taken are unacceptable."
A spokesman for the Cabinet Office, which would co-ordinate any official response, says: “Nothing has happened, there are no pickets taking place.
“We wouldn’t discuss a hypothetical situation and there is nothing much more we can do.
“We have plans to cope with a wide range of emergencies, and lessons have been learned from what happened in 2000.”
Comments (9)
Hummmm, yes very helpful. I know, just when the country is facing recession and countless other problems, let's start a protest which will bring the country to its knees!! Come on, let's get into the real world, this is Britain not bloody France...
Posted by Truckwatcher | December 6, 2007 11:03 AM
Posted on December 6, 2007 11:03
10,000 truckers on strike? Now that would make Gordon and co listen.
We've tried to talk to them in a civilized manner - and they don't listen. So what else is there to do? It's about time truckers used there own means to fight these fat cats taking our hard earned cash.
So what, Truckwatcher, if the country is brought to its knees. At least people will get the message!
Posted by Rubber Duck | December 6, 2007 11:16 AM
Posted on December 6, 2007 11:16
Frankly I don't think this industry is capable of bringing the country to its knees. Certainly if you took trucks out of action it would - every society is only three meals away from a riot after all. But the fact is we'd never do it. Most of the truckers who talk about protest won't send trucks and far too many don't want, or can't afford to lose money. Truth is most of those who shout loudest couldn't organise their way out of a paper bag. There's a small minority of intransigents who like to make a lot of noise but would never have the bottle to carry through on their threats. It just makes them feel better to blame other people's inaction knowing that they are never going to have to live up to their own rhetoric.
It reminds me of the old lefties in the 1980s waving pamphlets and talking about revolution. Some of them never grew up either.
Posted by cabber | December 6, 2007 11:34 AM
Posted on December 6, 2007 11:34
Well it worked last time in 2000 so I say it's time to take action again! Protests could lead to lower fuel prices and make the UK economy more competitive, rather than 'bringing the country to its knees' as Truckwatcher says...
Posted by Danno | December 6, 2007 11:40 AM
Posted on December 6, 2007 11:40
Planning an all-out demo is a bit like a suicide pact where two lovers are going to jump off a cliff together. Who goes first?
Now they can threaten O-licences for using our democratic right to protest there's a lot at stake. And if you join a demo what's to stop you 'mate' who's actually a competitor deciding at the last minute that instead of getting involved he'll go after your work.
That's why this industry has never had a united front and it never will. The trade groups may not be doing enough but in the real world they're the only game in town
Posted by Strider | December 6, 2007 1:15 PM
Posted on December 6, 2007 13:15
Get the public to boycott first every Shell garage then Esso and so on the only garages left able to sell fuel wold be the supermarkets - for a while?
People could still get fuel but everybody can have an effect by boycotting this way! The fat cats will in turn have to get onto the government because how much would they lose a minute!!
The government puppets can move lorries and tractors on, but they can’t make people use certain garages.
Are we getting over 2 US dollars to the earth UK Pound and they still keep blaming the high dollar price for a barrel of oil??
If these clowns in government did away with the criminal fuel duty percentage fuel would still have the VAT how much would fuel be per ltr then? when you put £50 of fuel in your tank you don't start paying for the fuel until you get past the £42 mark!!!! who reports on that? the real cause of high fuel prices in the UK not the $ per barrel but the robbing government!
Posted by Griffter | December 14, 2007 6:42 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 18:42
Why don't you include the many millions of motorists in your protest about the extortionate amount of tax and VAT levied of fuel ????? "We would turn out in our millions for demonstrations etc.etc.............
Posted by Dave Hall | February 12, 2008 6:09 AM
Posted on February 12, 2008 06:09
lets face it if nothing is done about the cost of fuel then there will be more and more haulage firms and owner drivers forced out of business. It's alright saying we won't stick together but the way it's going we will not survife simply because the rates are not keeping up with the cost of fuel. This government is pulling the wool over our eyes, a barrel of crude oil is bought in us dollar and if the exchange rate against the £ has been as low as $2.10cents to the £ which means that fuel should have been cheaper not dearer.You only have to look at the auctions at the back of commercial motor to see how many firm's have been forced out of business and that will continue because like it or not if action is not taken it will continue. We all call the French but at least they have the bottle to do somthing about it. So if you are not prepared to do anything don't moan when you are filling your car up costing you £80 or you owner drivers filling your truck costing 30% more then 12 months ago. Yours john greer (owner driver for now)
Posted by JOHN GREER | May 22, 2008 10:27 PM
Posted on May 22, 2008 22:27
if nothing is done soon i will be out of business and me and my driver on the doll,debt of the finance of the trucks,morgage,and every other bill that comes through my letter box will not be paid and i think there is more like me,the goverment will have a right nightmere when this happens to so many people in my boat.so come on you people lets show them what we are made of lets bring the country to its nees follow the french not just us haulage ferms but everyone stay at home its not breaking the law and then see if they will listen. bring fuel down and your food,gas,elec and so on will come down and we will have more money to spend in the high street and there goes your credit crunch
Posted by mark tucker | May 30, 2008 10:31 AM
Posted on May 30, 2008 10:31