11 November 2007
PM FACING NEW FUEL BLOCKADE
EXCLUSIVE 7 YEARS ON, PETROL WAR FLARES AGAIN Blitz on roads and oil depots to force Gord to cut cost
By Nigel Nelson Political Editor Nigel.Nelson@People.Co.Uk
Huge fuel protests will be launched this week in a bid to make Gordon Brown slash pump prices by at least 10p a litre.
Campaigners aim to cause chaos like in 2000 when the PM, who was then Chancellor, had to freeze petrol duties for two years.
Road blockades, a huge demo in London and rallies at oil refineries are all being planned.
Andrew Spence, the farmer from Consett in Durham who was behind the original protests, said: "Nothing is ruled out. There is more anger now than there was in 2000.
"Prices should come down by at least 10p a litre - and some people want more."
Campaigners are furious that petrol has soared to more than £1 a litre with another 3p rise expected before Christmas.
And they are disgusted the Government will get a windfall of £4.5 billion in extra tax due to the world oil price hike. Mr Spence, 39, whose group is fronted by farmers and hauliers, added: "We are getting people together and things will happen soon."
Seven years ago campaigners blockaded six of the UK's eight oil refineries and panic buying caused a third of petrol stations to run dry.
Mr Spence is not ruling out similar tactics this time but admitted: "New terror laws mean we could be classed as terrorists if we interfere with supplies. We will have to be careful."
