Subj : Re: So.......
To   : alt.tv.farscape
From : Nick
Date : Tue Sep 13 2005 19:37:17

From Newsgroup: alt.tv.farscape

Steve Brooks wrote:

> 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. 

I don't know if I would label truckers and farmers as "petroleum-hungry 
malcontents".  Somebody has to do it.

.