UK Election – What About The Freight And Shipping Sectors Gentlemen

Industry Representatives Say Talk is Cheap – But We Don’t Even Hear That

UK – With the UK General Election only days away, comments by leaders of the big three parties relevant to the shipping and transport industries are virtually non existent, evasive, or perceived as mere rhetoric by logistics analysts and representatives. The Road Haulage Association (RHA) launched another attack on what many industry watchers feel are merely insubstantial and vague policies.

The RHA point out that the ruling Labour Party position is for what they call “regular real term increases” (why use one adjective when two or three will do) with “tackling road congestion a key Labour priority” whatever that means.

They say the Conservatives will ‘consult’ on the introduction of a ‘Fair Fuel Stabiliser’ that would cut fuel duty when oil prices rise but increase it when they fall. That should be interesting as they give no clear indication what price levels will be set or how they will measure the fluctuations and over what periods. They will also fund new road projects through increased toll schemes.

The Liberal Democrats seem determined to simply avoid virtually any mention of what their targets for the industry are other than to say that “HGV’s will be charged to pay to fund high speed rail links”. Hard to see the connection on that one without any further details. Generally it is accepted that HSR projects are for the benefit of passengers, not freight carriers and yet apparently the Lib Dems seem to think the haulage industry should pay for further tax burdens to fund what is then presumably impractical schemes if left to fund themselves.

As the RHA say to add insult to injury, the party’s plans for re-opening closed rail lines and adding extra tracks will be paid for “by cutting the major roads budget”. Far from confidence-inspiring for the road user.

BIGOT - Street Definition 

BROWN IS GONE ON THURSDAY. Not Premier Browns finest Hour.

The PM is pictured showing his true feelings (for once) after being caught out leaving his microphone on and referring to a lifelong Labour Party supporter as "a bigoted woman".

This trend of obfuscation when it comes to setting out clear manifesto commitments and substituting general statements which are merely sound bites is one of the main reasons there is currently such a lack of confidence in voters across the country.

It would appear that the three main parties are so scared of demonstrating to the electorate just how bad things are, and consequently the draconian measures they will be bound to take to re-correct the economy, whilst falling over themselves in desperation to keep or obtain employment that, whoever one chooses to vote for, you will probably get a Peppa Pig in a poke. 

Photo Courtesy of Channel 5

Comments

[Wotchit321]

There has been a lot of fuss in the British press about newspapers abandoning the Labour party for its rivals. May I suggest the Handy Shipping Guide nails its colours to the post and declare who it is supporting?

Monster Raving Looney - the only choice when everyone's so bloody useless!

[Captain P]

Unfortunately The Captain cannot take sides on this one, The only sensible conclusion then is to line up all the one's who crave election, march them down the gangplank and consign the lot to dear old Davy Jones.

Joanna Lumley for PM, The Duffy woman as deputy and second by law all the rest from self made industry leaders for five years. Their reward? 60K a year and no more income tax liability until 2020 as long as they turn it round!

[Redford]

It's called electioneering, pandering to the masses/saying whatever they want to hear to secure votes. Unfortunately for us, the populous whose vote is hanging on how parties are going to deeal with freight issues are an insignificant number in relation to other groups concerned with say inheritance tax, education budget cuts, the dol or free healthcare for stray kittens. As usual they'll say what they need to secure passage to #10 and then, and only then, will we see what their policies are actually going to be. Either way it doesn't bode well for us.

[Captain P]

Can't say fairer than that Redford. I don't think you'll find many to disagree inyour disillusionment.

At last the country is united !

[Dangerous Goods Transport]

I agree that the uk road haulage and transport industry are battling against unfair penal fuel taxes. Another thing is the appalling state of many Euro trucks with are unroadworthy and dangerous.

[Captain P]

Too right DGT, Let's be honest we are all scared of saying it but those in the business know that some of the alien motors coming in are nothing short of death traps. As we've pointed out on the Handy Shipping Guide news pages before it's always easier to let a guy go who doesn't (or pretends he doesn't) speak English if you're copper looking for trade. As for the taxes on fuel, don't get us started! Duty then add the VAT, try billing your customers an extra bill on top of VAT and see what happens.

[aeromarine]

Tackling road congestion should be a major key labour priority for the three main parties who as well should be scared of demonstrating to the electrorate just how bad things are so that they can re-correct the economy.

[aeromarine]

Tackling road congestion should be a major key labour priority for the three main parties who as well should not be scared of demonstrating to the electrorate just how bad things are so that they can re-correct the economy.