An industry call to arms
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The former director of Seymour Transport explains why he needs all the help he can get to succeed in his FairFuelUK campaign
Words: Peter Carroll / Images: Graham Richardson
WE FACE YET another crisis in our industry due to the seemingly neverending rise in the cost of fuel, a major part of which is caused by a policy of increasing fuel duty. We face this at a time of genuine crisis in the wider economy when the government is beset by problems. It is my view that at this time of unparalleled challenge we must ensure that our voice is heard at the highest levels of government.
I acknowledge and respect the tireless work that our trade associations continue to do in this difficult time. I seek in no way to undermine them. That said, I believe that the severity of this crisis requires a campaign on a broader level than ever achieved in the past. It needs to harness the combined weight of the road freight trade associations and everyone involved at every level of the industry — company directors, owners, managers, drivers, staff and more. It needs to have the involvement and support of those industries that supply the industry — the fuel card companies, the driver agencies, the vehicle manufacturers and the tyre companies. It needs to have support from the general public. It needs to have the support of the road freight trade press and of the organisations that represent the wider economy such as the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Chambers of Commerce.
This crisis comes at a time when all fuel users are feeling the pain. It is the issue of the moment.
A responsible approach
So what do I envisage? What am I calling you all to support? We are a responsible industry with a proud heritage. We understand our role as the life blood of the economy. I am not seeking to be confrontational or aggressive. I am not calling on the industry to 'man the blockades' and to stand guard next to 'burning braziers' at oil refineries. No. That had a real impact in 2000, but times are different now, and such an approach would offend many and cause hardship to a public already burdened by austerity I am calling on you to support the most intense political lobbying and public campaign ever fought by our industry. In the coming weeks, we can force our politicians to understand this crisis and to change direction. Many of you will have heard the mentions in the media that no less a person than the Prime Minister is 'sensitive' to the issue of fuel prices. This is the time to bring maximum pressure to bear.
Public shows of support, petitioning and lobbying DO work — but raising the level of pressure requires a focused and intense approach. MPs who receive a few letters will no doubt write a polite reply — only when the postbags and the media are dominated by an issue do you get a result. Some of you may know that I was the man behind the Gurkha campaign. That campaign was no accident. It was a systematic, high-intensity lobbying campaign of the kind that I am now calling on you to support for our industry.
Vital media coverage To get the vital media coverage, we may need to gather to protest and rally, sometimes with our vehicles. This will always be done lawfully and with due regard to the general public.
So many people in the industry are frustrated and angry. It breaks my heart to see so many smalland medium-sized hauliers with decades of history crushed. I know that even our giant operators are feeling the pressure. Some people appear to think that there is no point in standing up and campaigning. The brutal truth is that if we don't campaign together right now, the only thing that will happen is that it will get even worse. I believe that this industry is worth fighting for—do you? •