Was the petrol panic a crafty move by the Government?

[Zeuhl]

Fuel sales up 170% just before the end of the tax year - massive boost in fuel levy and vat receipts

Incremental sales as fuel now sits in storage in little-used cars and cans

Public awareness of how bad a strike would be tips public opinion against any Unite action

and last but not least;

pastie fiasco and conservative party fund-raising pushed off the front pages

[Kiki-frog]

Hmmmm, makes you wonder, doesn't it? Personally I'm deeply suspicious of the cack-handed way Call-me-Dave and chums have handled the fuel situation. Actively encouraging people to panic buy? That's either cynical and calculating beyond belief or just plain stupid.

[lozzer50]

ZEUHL my thoughts exactly !

[d9f1c7]

All they've done is bring sales forward makes no difference in reality people would have bought the fuel anyway.

There is a theory that this was deliberate, effectively stock piling fuel in the tanks of the public, thus emptying the garages and forcing them to re order before the planned strike, thus reducing the effect if a strike happens.

Yes it does does take the heat off pastygate too!

[youngmafbog]

Ah the conspiricy theorists are out again.

I, the strike had gone ahead and they had not said anything I bet all of you moaners would have blamed them for that.

I agree it was not handled in the best fashion but they cannot be held accountable for the thickness of the General public. Neither did they start it all, Len Mcclusky did, and I reckon he has acheved what he set out to do.

As for the extra fuel duty this will be p*ssing in the Ocean.

[Zeuhl]

<<I, the strike had gone ahead and they had not said anything I bet all of you moaners would have blamed them for that. >>

No one has suggested they should have done or said nothing.

But actually advising the public to 'top up' our tanks and fill up a jerry can is what's extraordinary

<<extra fuel duty this will be p*ssing in the Ocean>>

If the duty and vat gathered this week on fuel is an insignificant boost to government coffers perhaps they would like to refund it.

[d9f1c7]

you miss the point zheul, all they've done is get it early. People will not buy a different amount of fuel will they?

[FredPuli43]

I agree with youmafbog; the union leader should have guessed that people would rush for petrol at the very thought of a strike, causing shortages, thereby giving him more strength in the negotiations: 'This is just a taste of what you'll get, without a strike; imagine what you'll get with one'.
In this supposed ambition he was greatly assisted by the clumsy way which the government dealt with the prospect of a strike.

[ummmm]

They don't make more money in the long run though. They'll only make more money if people start driving more because they've got full tanks of petrol.

[barney15c]

reported 81% increase in petrol sales last few days (not sure when figures started from) brings in £32m in extra fuel duty plus its just/is going up again with the budget,certainly not doing the coffers any harm. BTW don't you think Francis Maude is a bit of a train crash, first the public sector pay disput now this..the man is a liability.

[barney15c]

figures from AA

[rov1100]

This government are very clever at setting one part of the community against another. They are relying on the consumer to tackle the tanker drivers rather than being an arbiter to solve an industrial dispute. They realised that if peoples tanks were full the tanker driver's protests would be in vain and would need an extended strike in order to win.

I wonder how they will tackle the baggage handlers at Stansted Airport who plan to strike over Easter. Maybe take your flight before Easter?

[cazzz1975]

I agree with ummm, surely it will level out once the panic buying stops (assuming there wont be a strike)

[dickythecook]

As one who loves a good conspiracy theory, I think the Govt. have now got it sussed. They can close the airports at the drop of a hat. They can close the motorways whenever they like, (toll roads will be even simpler) only locals will know the diversion routes around any blockages. Do not think of using Sat-Nav that is also controlled!! They know that there is only 3 days fuel supply in the petrol stations, a 2 week strike will empty most car fuel tanks. The trains can be stopped at any time by a points failure here, engineering works there and the worry of an unsafe bridge that cannot be crossed for Health and Safety reasons. The easiest population to control is a walking population. Add
in the fact that food supply chains will be cut because of all the transport difficulties and you have the recipe for the start of a rebellion. How can we rebel? They have disarmed most of the law abiding people who held a firearm.
No 12 gauge shotgun is allowed to have more than 3 cartridges (single barrel)
and they know where most of these are kept. So at the first signs of an armed rebellion Martial Law will be declared and anyone with a gun or a chair leg in a bag seen in public will be a viable target.
It is not all about the Pasty Tax. We are DOOMED I tell thee!!
Anyway, have a nice day, I'm off to work tomorrow at my new job,
Viva la revolucion

[barney15c]

im stockpiling up on pasties if i am going to be holed up for the next 2 weeks with no fuel , little food in the shops and no transport.

[Zeuhl]

Agreed it will all level out but many low level users who normally keep a few quids worth in the tank now have a tank full sitting on the drive plus any stored.

That will last them for ages.

Ask any business if they would like the next 6-8 weeks worth of revenue to come across the counter this week. No need for extra staff or costs, customers will just wait their turn.

See how many turn that down.

[chaptazbru]

Just heard on the news there's not going to be a strike over Easter.

[d9f1c7]

apparently there is going to be a drayman strike instead........

[Hazel104]

Yes this is a link to a conspiracy theory - but interesting none the less.

http://sturdyblog.wor...nt-want-you-to-panic/