Why did the fuel protests run out of steam?
112 Comments | Add Comment | Blog entry posted 18th December, 2007
The fuel protests organised by pressure group Transaction 2007 this weekend failed to gather the support they needed to make the protests a success. The group had hoped that supporters would gather at fuel refineries and depots across the country on Saturday morning (15.12.07) in order to force rising fuel costs back onto the political agenda. However, the turnout was poor – only one pensioner turned up to protest at Purfleet in Essex. The most successful site was Fawley in Southampton, which attracted 25 protesters.
But the poor turnout appeared to take Transaction 2007 by surprise. After releasing their initial statement on Sunday evening (09.12.07) the number of members on their web forum more than doubled. Throughout the week there was a steady stream of media coverage from the BBC, The Guardian and various local newspapers and radio stations. Polls on our website showed that 18,815 people supported the protests, and 310 people said they were going to join in at their local refinery. But these votes did not turn into material support, and the protests were called off at around 10.30am.
So why did the protests run out of steam? It seems there were a combination of factors, which on their own may not have had the same effect, but together, effectively stopped the protests in their tracks. First, the whole event lacked clear structure and support. Up until the day before the only way to find out that was going on was to join Transaction’s forum, and search through to find information on your local refinery. Even then, the group gave very little indication of what would-be protesters would be doing when they got to their nearest site – there were disparities between the action some members wanted to take, and what constitutes a legal protest. It also wasn’t clear what the protest hoped to achieve, which was exacerbated by the fact that Transaction refused to talk to the media until the day before.
Secondly, the timing of the protests may have contributed towards the mediocre response from the public. Transaction decided to hold it at the weekend to enable lorry drivers to attend, who might be working during the week. But, so close to Christmas, it’s possible that any motorists who might ordinarily have joined them decided to go Christmas shopping instead. The frosty weather can’t have helped either – nobody likes standing around in the cold.
Thirdly, the decision to target fuel refineries and depots may have been unwise. Although rising oil prices have contributed to the current pump prices, the tax on fuel is equally, if not more, to blame. We pay roughly two thirds in tax on fuel, which can be broken down to duty and VAT (for more information on this have a look at our fuel tax page). Duty is a fixed tax, but VAT is a percentage, so as petrol prices rise due to rising oil prices, so does the amount of VAT we pay. Many of the comments on our blog have suggested that it is the government who need lobbying, not the petrol industry.
Finally, although the evidence points to widespread discontent over current UK petrol prices, it seems that discontent is outweighed by apathy. Our blog comments repeatedly said that protesting and petitioning are unlikely to result in lower oil prices or a tax cut. And the number of active protesters on Saturday spoke volumes – many people might think petrol prices are too high, a percentage of those are angry enough to voice their opinion on the web, but ultimately the number of people who think that exercising their democratic right to protest is worthwhile, is not substantial. This may be representative of political apathy in the UK in general, or it could simply be the conditions weren’t right for the protest at the minute. Either way, Transaction 2007 will have to think hard to find a way to stay within the law and still manage to engage the public and the media in the same way as the more memorable protests of 2000.
Why do you think the protests failed? Would you support protest action in the future? Let us know your thoughts.
Replies to Why did the fuel protests run out of steam?
Steph April 2, 2009
What did happen to the old TransAction site? If anybody out there knows? Please? I used to keep up with it until they closed the forums suddenly (with no explanation) but have since had very limited computer access and having just tried to get back in they've disappeared. Any ideas?
PS - I apologise, I know that is not the point of this forum but hoped that some kind soul on here might be able to advise. Cheers!
Roger Cracknell August 15, 2008
If you're interested in seeing if we can influence forecourt prices or not, please join the group below.
Nothing to lose....
Group Email Addresses
Subscribe: ppexperiment-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Post message: ppexperiment@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: ppexperiment-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Roger Cracknell August 13, 2008
I have an idea which I'd love to try out and see if it would work.
We had the "Boycott The Pumps" campaign some time back, which I feel had limited success.
I have a theory of my own in respect of applying downward pressure on the price of fuel, but it needs us to group together to achieve.
If, within you own geographical area, everyone went to a single retailer (obviously one with the lowest price) other retailers in the are would have to move to encourage you back to their forecourt, by undercutting the price, after which you would 'reward' them by always buying from them, until someone else further cut the price, and so on...
Surely with the power of the internet we can do this?
Your thoughts...?
Roger
Mike Livesey April 30, 2008
A lot of fuel protests don't work because they miss the point. Boycotts, for instance, are usually pointless. My suggested approach is to make a point of visiting higher prices petrol stations, spending £5 on petrol, browsing round the shop for at least 5 minutes - preferably 10 - before paying and leaving - perhaps with a comment that you are simply getting enough petrol to get to a station with a better price. If enough people did this it would stifle the turnover of these stations, as cars will not cue unles the price is good.
Any comments?
Steve Martin April 29, 2008
I'm completely with you on this, as are 99% of the driving population. Fuel prices are crippling everybody and Gordon Brown doesn't give a hoot with his backdoor taxation strategy and totally oblivious to the fact that his tax is the main reason for high prices and not all OPEC.
I would suggest you get the whole country behind you on this by causing the country to come to standstill at a certain time.
Ask for everybodies support. Ask them to stop their vehicle (when safe to do so) at midday on a given date and don't move for one hour. This would cost the treasury £millions and the fuel companies £3 million for this hour. I would continue with this strategy until both government and fuel companies reduce the cost.
Rob Taylor April 12, 2008
I've just registered here at petrolprices.com so this is my first comment.
I am sympathetic to the environment and anything that represents the greater good for the planet etc however, I am sick to death of all the financial burdens and apathy that the Government forces us to resign to whilst trying to scrape out a decent standard of living!
I'm referring to all the taxes they impose on just about everything we use or need!
Whether it's vehicle fuel, Council Tax, PAYE or the price of bread!
It's coming to the time where all campaign organisers need to get the general public out of their apathetic state and force the government off the road.....never mind forcing us off the road!!
Helen Bonney April 4, 2008
I think something needs to be done now, half of my wages each month is now spent on fuel for the car to get there. After paying all my bills i cannot afford a social life, i am buying the supermarkets own brands food and taking handouts on food from my parents. How can we just stand back and let them get away with putting price up so high. Surely if the US can sell its fuel so low and still have more money within the country to us surely we can sell out fuel cheaper. Lets protest again, but this time give people more information so they can arrange to protest. Who do we contact to get involved with protests. Come on lets fight back.
M/s F.davidson March 18, 2008
The only way to fight anything is to follow the French example, not that I like the french but when they protest they do it right, one out all out, blackade the ports etc and all the other things and they win. In our country it is a case of I'm alright Jack. Being a disabled old aged pensioner I would not have turned out in the cold as my condition is affected by the cold and rain. Protests need to be held in warmer months and if you think about it when is most petrol used? in the summer months be it days out or going on holidays, that s when you hit the gredy oil companies.
Mark Rigby March 6, 2008
I am fed up with rising prices of fuel whats the matter with people in this country? we must enjoy getting ripped of by the goverment, once again, we need to look at the french and stoped lying down and taking it.
John Downers March 4, 2008
Hi All,
Transaction 2007 may have failed in its efforts and since closed it's doors. If anyone would like to start a new fight and Join the new Revolution please check out transaction-2008.co.uk
Regards
Johny
Jessica Hasler February 26, 2008
The original question seems to have been lost between blog 1 and 99, but some very interesting information and plenty of hot air at times. A pity vehicles can't run on air!
Reminds me of "Chinese Whispers" where the call "Send reinforcements we are going to advance." became "Send three and fourpence we are going to a dance."
JessicaH 26th February 2008
Jill February 24, 2008
OK - so its nobodies fault that theres a greater demand globally for fuel. But the fuel companies AND our govenment are making an obsene profit from our discomfort. And yes - we will have to get used to the price of fuel rising. Take a look around you. Virtually everything you see was moved on a truck. Don't bother with the old 'back on rails' chestnut. In case you haven't noticed, our rail system is in crisis and costs more than flying. So please do expect prices of everything to rise. The customer must eventually pay.
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