Bled Dry At The Petrol Pumps!

Two years ago we were paying around 95p per litre at the petrol pumps and now prices are almost at £1.30, as the chart from What Gas shows above. In the space of two years we have seen prices hiked up over 30%, yet unlike the petrol blockades of 2000 have so far failed to materialise.

The rapid rise in petrol prices will not only be felt by those who are bled dry at the pumps, the rising cost will be passed on by retailers - forcing prices and inflation upwards. This will increase the pressure on low and middle income earners, many of whom have either had below inflation pay increases or pay cuts in reality. The situation in the UK is now more dire than in 2000, where economic conditions and unemployment were much better.

We need to see French style blockades of the oil refineries and challenge the government (who are quite happy as prices increase because of all the extra tax revenues) and the oil companies (who will continue massive profits and bonuses). We Brits are all too often apathetic about taking direct action, yet the 2000 petrol protests moved PM Tony Blair.

This weak coalition government made up of millionaires KNOW that working class people are eventually going to get fed up being bled dry and will take direct action (like the students protests at the end of 2010). They are already planning to take tougher action against protesters and are seeking to toughen strike laws (already the toughest in Europe), that is why people need to move quickly and challenge such hikes in petrol prices.

Already a Facebook group has been set up but more direct action will be needed if we are to change this situation. Come on truck drivers and farmers - lead the way and I'm sure more will follow!