‘We can bring the government down’: Truckers vow to ‘bring UK to a halt’ in support of striking tanker drivers by blockading refineries and motorways
By ANTHONY BOND
DailyMailUK
1 April 2012
Thousands of truckers are preparing to go head to head with the army in support of striking tanker drivers – and have warned they will ‘bring Britain to a halt’.
They plan to blockade refineries and cause gridlock on motorways to stop soldiers moving fuel around the UK in the event of a strike.
Fuel Lobby leaders who are concerned at rocketing prices have formed an alliance with the tanker drivers, whose union bosses will begin talks this week to try to prevent strike action.
It follows a disastrous week for the Government after ministers faced intense criticism for urging motorists to keep their petrol tanks topped up – prompting a wave of panic-buying at filling stations across the country.
The truckers are led by farmer and haulier Andrew Spence, who was instrumental in the blockades in 2000 which led to 3,000 petrol stations running out of fuel.
The father-of three, who runs a mixed farm and plant hire company in Consett, County Durham, said he would ‘bring Britain to a halt’ unless his organisation’s concerns were addressed.
He said: ‘We have been in negotiations with the tanker drivers since 2000 and have been aware of their grievances for some time.
‘We have said to them we may have to stand beside them in any protest. We are better organised than we were in 2000. This time we will bring the Government down.’
He said the action was a ‘last resort’ because hauliers and farmers were going bust.
