The Gov/Fuel debate.

[jetpilot]

I think the recent events of fuel price rise will be the first big test for them, in respect of peoples views, as nothing seems to get the populous going more than rising motoring costs. It will be very interesting to see how they cope with public demand and apparent strikes/road blocks etc.

I for one was very impressed with Cameron\'s manifesto pledge that they will address the issue and cap the price of fuel per litre, being completely frank and saying its not possible to reduce it because of our huge debt. Fair enough, some balls to say we need the duty not make up some Labour rubbish that it was being raised due to global warming.

However, i saw an interview today with Andrew Marr where he was asked about the above and it was immediately brushed off that the Tory government werent able to act on it as it now wasnt something they were able to do because of the co allition with Libs.

This is not the reason i solely voted Tory, although i know thats not what we got! But i think for the first time i will be very miffed that a government i voted for arent upholding some of their manifesto, regardless of some Liberals now involved.

[Will66]

The motorist is a cash cow to be milked by the taxman.  It\'s unfortunate.  I would like assurances that when the Government deficit reaches sustainable levels that the issue of fuel cost will be seriously looked at as it has big ramifications for other costs.

[TiddlesRX7]

I don\'t think they have followed through on a single pledge yet have they? Every time they look at their list they cross another one off and blame not doing it on the co allition.

But too address the topic. Strike strike strike! The French wouldn\'t put up with it.

[jetpilot]

Funny, its the only thing about being French that is any good, they have no laws to stop them blockading, otherwise i am sure this would have been done by now!

[Will66]

The French take it too far in terms of striking.  Although I do think that fuel prices are ridiculous and that fuel duty should help cushion the motorist, and the consumer whose product prices are affected by transport costs therefore fuel, from the effects of high oil prices.  

I reckon it would create more prosperity and the government could reap the rewards when oil prices dropped and they kept prices the same but received increased duty.

[shaunwil]

But what would they cap it at They should take off the rise they put on with the VAT reduction. Bloomin Labour cheek when they did it !

I hate where LPG has gone in the last 6 weeks, nearly a 18p rise in that time. Similar to 36p for petrol !!!!

I\'m getting to the point where the FB isn\'t cost effective even on LPG for the miles I do a week !

Shaun

[jetpilot]

But what would they cap it at ??

I think thats what happening now, we are being tested to see just how much we will pay and thats where it will be capped. Dont forget we were freaking at £1.00, £1.10 and then £1.20.

[SiH]

Petrol in France is usually slightly more expensive than it is here, so evidently their strikes and blockades aren\'t the most effective...

[Marcrs]

I think thats what happening now, we are being tested to see just how much we will pay and thats where it will be capped. Dont forget we were freaking at £1.00, £1.10 and then £1.20.

What???
 
What do you mean "tested to see how much we\'ll pay"
 
We\'ll pay as much as they make us pay....
 
Yes we were all causing a fuss when petrol hit £1 per litre...the first time...then it crept up a bit again, over the quid, and now it\'s £1.30 a litre...and is anything happening? No.
 
I don\'t buy petrol for fun (well, I do for the rex, but not often these days) I buy it because I need to get to work. I buy petrol and moan about the cost...if it was £2 per litre I would still need to buy it, and I\'d moan more.
 
If the fuel duty was a fair amount, fuel would be nowhere near £1 a litre...but we\'d have to pay the country\'s debts off somehow, so it would go on something else. Motorists are an easy target...just a shame it hits us all, as shipping prices increase, and as a result the cost of everything increases too!

[jetpilot]

What do you mean "tested to see how much we\'ll pay"

I mean, they will push it to see what sort of price it reaches before there is general uproar and by that i dont mean us guys moaning on here but serious protests as there was many years ago!

I am in exactly the same boat as you buddy, i have to use a vehicle to work, to transport tools and materials to varying places, i am on your side! There will come a time soon though that i will be left with no alternative than to increase my prices to either A) cover increased costs or B) Save enough money to purchase something with a high mpg! and by that way i will possibly loose work because of it. Even if did have something more economical i would still be concerned about the costs as it affects everything as said in another thread, weekly food shops, clothes, delivery etc etc

[Ricco_04]

Isn\'t putting a tax on a tax effectively an illegal practice? (Ie VAT is calculated after other tax has been applied)

[Hi RX7]

I don\'t honestly think they will do anything at all, and Cameron is doing a good act at being the invisible man of politics. One thing I have noticed though is on my daily journey to Hemel Hempstead to carry out a contract I have is that cars do appear to be travelling slower on motorways etc so perhaps that is the only way we can protest just drive a lot slower in that way we use less fuel and it would be something that other people will notice perhaps get some stickers saying \'Sorry I\'m only driving slowly to save money\' or something to that effect.

[jetpilot]

I don\'t honestly think they will do anything at all, and Cameron is doing a good act at being the invisible man of politics. One thing I have noticed though is on my daily journey to Hemel Hempstead to carry out a contract I have is that cars do appear to be travelling slower on motorways etc so perhaps that is the only way we can protest just drive a lot slower in that way we use less fuel and it would be something that other people will notice perhaps get some stickers saying \'Sorry I\'m only driving slowly to save money\' or something to that effect.

But your still using fuel, ironic protesting about the cost of fuel by doing something that uses fuel. Its another argument entirely at how and what are the best means of protesting are, my opinion is that everyone should plan a day in advance and then on mass head off that morning to use public transport as that is their argument in avoiding fuel cost and transport issues! We are in essence only then doing what they tell us and when it all goes Pete Tong, which it will, will leave them with no argument!

[BlitzBoy]

Actually the Government still want you to use the car , why do you think they put massive prices increases on public transport like the trains so it still make sense to use the car, and still they get big tax revenue

[Hi RX7]

But your still using fuel, ironic protesting about the cost of fuel by doing something that uses fuel. Its another argument entirely at how and what are the best means of protesting are, my opinion is that everyone should plan a day in advance and then on mass head off that morning to use public transport as that is their argument in avoiding fuel cost and transport issues! We are in essence only then doing what they tell us and when it all goes Pete Tong, which it will, will leave them with no argument!

Yes it is still using fuel and you still earn your hard earned crust but if everyone did drive carefully/slowly it would have an effect on our overall consumption and again by doing say 50 on the motorways etc it would be noticeable and may catch on lets face it you just leave a little earlier and get back a little later. I\'ve been driving a little slower in my van up to Hemel Hempstead 55 on motorway and my new Renault Trafic recorded 42 mpg yesterday which at 15K plus a year will save a bit.