There was the time that diesel cars started to be pushed to every person purchasing a new car, when the cost of diesel fuel was way cheaper than petrol at the time. So what happened was most of Joe Public started buying diesel vehicles such as Land Rovers and 4x4's plus smaller diesel cars.

Once the public went ahead with their buying diesel vehicles, then the Government thought, 'Right, put up the price of diesel'. Now it is above the price of petrol. So now everyone is paying the price, not only the motorist but all those in road transportation.

At the last Budget of the Conservative government, they put it up by six per cent above inflation – they called this a fuel escalator.

Inflation

At the next election New Labour is the new government. What do they do on their budget day? Once again road fuel up another six per cent above inflation.

So they can well afford to reduce the VAT by at least eight per cent and not miss it.

It's very well for anyone with money to burn but for all those who have to save every last copper to make ends meet, then it is another story altogether.

All those who for whatever reason cannot use public transport, but use a vehicle of some description for essential purposes are very hard hit.

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