Fuel protestors threaten Election Disruption

Fuel protesters in poll disruption threat

Friday April 22, 09:08 AM

Fuel tax protesters have threatened to disrupt the General Election with direct action including refinery blockades and go-slows on major routes as forecourt prices peak.

Farmer and haulier Andrew Spence, a spokesman for the Fuel Lobby, said their campaign was set to begin on May 3, two days before polling day, if the Government did not bring down tax on fuel.

The lobby said it was prepared to recreate the week-long protests of September 2000 which caused shortages and buying panic at the pumps.

Mr Spence, from Consett, County Durham, said: "Don't rule anything out.
"The election would be stopped if we had our way. Tony Blair will not be able have enough fuel in his car to get to the polling station."

He added that a large meeting of hauliers will be held in Stirling, Scotland.

"Those boys up there want to do something now," Mr Spence said. "The hardest part will be stopping them from protesting until May 3."

The Road Haulage Association has also warned that members could be stirred into "legal" action.

It claimed anger was mounting around the country about "the increasing cost of fuel".
RHA chief executive Roger King said meetings had been held in Scotland and North Wales and attitudes among those present were "increasingly militant".

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