25.04.08 Petrol protests in London to coincide with Grangemouth strikes
Are diesel prices too high?
One of the groups behind the fuel protests in 2000 has announced that it is organising a fuel protest in London to coincide with the strikes at the Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland.
The strike has the support of Unite, the same union supporting the workers threatening to strike at the Ineos refinery in Grangemouth.
Transaction 2007 say that rising fuel prices are pushing hauliers out of business – 6 independent hauliers have gone out of business in the last week.
Diesel prices have risen 16.2p per litre since the beginning of the year, with the national average currently standing at a record 119.0p.
Unleaded has risen 6.9p since the beginning of the year. The national average is currently at a record high of 109.1p.
The group plan to drive a coffin from Park Lane in Spalding, Lincolnshire to Park Lane in London (the site of the 2000 fuel protests) on Tuesday 29th April, to represent the death of the UK road haulage industry as a result of increased fuel prices.
They will meet additional protesters at Park Lane, and from there they will be escorted by officers from the Metropolitan Police to the House of Commons to present a letter signed by independent hauliers to Right Hon Mr Derek Wyatt MP.
Transaction 2007 organised protests around the country in December 2007, but were unsuccessful because of a lack of support. They now have the support of the Transport and General Workers Union and 250-strong United Truckers campaign group. They also feel that there is a better appetite for action this time and hope the public will join in.
Mike Presneill, spokesperson for Transaction 2007 told PetrolPrices.com today: “Fuel prices are crippling the haulage industry, so this protest should make the government and the treasury aware that we are still here, against all odds, and we won't give up until they take some action. We want an 'essential user rebate' to keep UK hauliers competitive against foreign truckers working over here”
Petrol prices have risen an alarming amount since the beginning of the year. Expensive fuel affects everyone, even non-drivers because it makes it more expensive to transport food and other goods around the country. Hauliers often have no choice but to pass those costs on or they'll put themselves out of business.”
The government needs to take action now. The tax on fuel is extortionate as it is, and they simply haven't taken into account the oil price rises we've had. Protesting may be the only way to make motorists' views known – as long as it's legal, which Transaction's is, PetrolPrices.com supports anything which will make UK fuel cheaper.
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If you read the fine print on Transaction 2007 website, you will see that they aren't fighting for the general motorist. They are demanding a larger VAT element in the price of diesel, which the hauliers can claim back as part of their business. Last time I looked not everyone can claim the VAT back for fuel purchases.
Fight for the lowering of fuel prices but don't fool yourselves into thinking that if Transaction 2007 get their VAT consession they will continue to campaign for the common motorist.
<quote>'The government needs to take action now'.</quote>
And what do you suggest that ANY government, anywhere in the world, can do about the growing problem of PEAK OIL?
If you haven't heard the term 'Peak Oil'; brace yourself as you'll be hearing it a lot more in the years to come. It's been a whispered term for many years, much like "global warming" was back in the 60's.
In 1956, geophysicist Dr. M. King Hubbert predicted that oil production in the USA would reach its peak around 1970 and then go into a state of decline. He also predicted that global oil production would peak around the late 90's/early 21st century. He plotted the increase, peak and decrease of oil production on a graph; and his theory is popularly known as Hubbert's Peak.
Dr Hubbert also flagged with the world the issue not only of declining oil production, but the increasing cost associated in extracting what oil remained after the "low hanging fruit" had been picked.
There is no doubt that the cost of oil production in recent times has been huge - not only in the exploration and production itself in financial terms; but also in terms of environmental damage caused. Added to that has been the huge military expense and associated human suffering caused through wars that have been pushed on the public by their governments as being issues of national safety rather than their true motivation - control of oil reserves. The war in Iraq is a classic example of that.
Dr Hubbert was ridiculed by many when he released his research; but his predictions appear to have come true. USA oil production did indeed go into rapid decline around 1971.
Fact: we are consuming more oil globally and the trend will continue
Fact: it is not a renewable resource in relation to our consumption levels
Fact: countries go to war over control of oil reserves
Fact: oil consumption has a negative impact on the environment
Fact: gas at the pump continues to, generally speaking, increase in price
Fact: many plastics and other trappings of the modern world are made from oil
Fact: the world is running out of easily sourced oil; i.e. production using current technology has peaked, and what oil is left will cost more to pull out of the ground using methods most likely to be even more unfriendly to the environment.
Paints a rather grim picture for our oil addicted society doesn't it? If we're willing to invade a country for oil, how much more aggressive will we be when supply really gets tight?
How does food get to your table? Do you grow it in your yard, or is it trucked in to your supermarket? How do you collect it; do you walk to the supermarket or drive? How do you get to work?
How many affordable alternative energy vehicles are now on the market?
When the Iraq war and other geo-political issues pushed the price of oil to record levels; people stopped buying SUV's. Within a couple of weeks of a drop in prices; they went back to buying them again. It just goes to show how little we learn. We had a taste of what really expensive petrol was like, yet as soon as the pressure was backed off a little; we went straight back to our previous oil-greedy ways.
We won't learn, oil will have to run out or become so horribly expensive that only few can use it to any degree. What will it cost? How much will it impact on the cost of other items? How many more people will have to die and how much more will our environment suffer while we squeeze out the last viable drop of oil that the planet has to offer?
These are important issues to think about - don't rely on governments to provide the answers to a world without oil as they've all been in denial for way too long. Yes, there are renewable/alternative energy programs in place; but given the major role that oil plays in our lives; permeating just about every aspect; whether these new, cleaner technologies can be rolled out before we hit the real crunch is another question.
The time is now to start thinking about and making changes to the way you live so your life is not so oil-centered. Remember that a lack of oil extends far beyond just not being able to drive your car - so many other products, services and industries are based on oil.
Start preparing for a life of austerity. NOW!
Find local employment. Reduce your debts. Reduce your fuel consumption. Grow your own vegetables or buy from local suppliers. Exercise regularly. Insulate your home. Help your family, friends and colleagues to understand the implications of Peak Oil.
"Find local employment. Reduce your debts. Reduce your fuel consumption. Grow your own vegetables or buy from local suppliers. Exercise regularly. Insulate your home. Help your family, friends and colleagues to understand the implications of Peak Oil."
Ok, you give me £200,000 for me to go and buy a house and clear my debts then.
Actually i might need a bit more than that, i'll need land to grow my vegetables. You put that money in my bank account then i'll listen to you.
And my employment is Motor Trade anyway, im constantly in a car and i need everybody else to do similair or else i dont make money.
And your comments sound like when a nutter goes "take the canned food to the basement, they've landed!" And you reply with the same over exagerated nonsense in every single post. Lighten up or buggar off look. Nobody cares about your Spam.