28/09/2000 00:00
TW
0

It was a decision that had to be taken sooner or later. The protest had to end, fuel stocks were reaching alarming low levels and the situation was become dangerous. The fishermen and farmers can walk away with their heads high, they have proved their point. I also think it was a brave decision taken by Government Delegate Catalina Cirer to send in the police. Thankfully, there were no injuries or arrests.

There is support for the protesters. They have a legitimate complaint, but holding motorists to ransom is not the way forward. We all want cheaper petrol but we all want decent public services we want more hospitals, higher pensions, unemployment support etc. The money has to come from somewhere and in the case of most European governments fuel tax is a major source of income.

Probably the bottom line in this whole dispute comes ironically from a taxi driver. “We can live without cars but we can't live without hospitals.”

Jason Moore