Subj : Re: So.......
To   : alt.tv.farscape
From : Steve Brooks
Date : Tue Sep 13 2005 19:28:33

From Newsgroup: alt.tv.farscape

John I wrote:
> Steve Brooks wrote:
>> Kath wrote:
>>
>>> ......who filled up with petrol [sorry, gas] against government
>>> advice?
>>
>> Not me. I've still got more than half a tank.  Should last 2-3 weeks
>> easy.
>>
>
> Are you all having a gas shortage too?

Now there's a question.

A few years ago - when fuel tax was still rising every year supposedly to 
cut usage - a group of truckers, farmers and other petroleum-hungry 
malcontents organised a protest against the price of fuel.  Amongst other 
things they blockaded refineries and fuel storage depots. Many tanker 
drivers refused to cross their picket lines and there was a real shortage of 
fuel nationwide. They got significant public support, the government caved 
in and the tax was frozen (or possibly even reduced slightly, I don't 
remember.)

Now a similar group are planning a new protest. However, they know they 
don't have the same level of public support since everyone knows the recent 
rises have other causes. They are planning a different kind of protest and 
there are unlikely to be real shortages.[1] Unfortunately a whole bunch of 
over-excitable people have read about this and are remembering what happened 
last time. They are panic buying. This may well cause localised shortages by 
itself. It's a bit of a nuisance but no more. I can say that smuggly because 
I could walk to work.

[1] This doesn't mean they won't get what they want. The CBI (Confederation 
of British Industry ), while carefully avoiding supporting the protesters, 
does support a cut in fuel duty. They carry a lot of weight.

-- 

SB

.