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Pump action - BP prepares for petrol protests

Michael Crick | 17:06 UK time, Friday, 9 April 2010

Could the soaring price of petrol become a big election issue?

The price has soared above 120 pence a litre this week, in some cases a lot higher.

I've learnt that BP is quite worried about the possibility of organised protests by angry customers at their garages this weekend.

They've been advising staff in their garages in London and Oxford what to do if trouble erupts outside the pumps.

UPDATE - It seems that this weekend's possible protests at BP garages may be nothing to do with the rising price of petrol, but in opposition to the firm's .

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    Oh dear, Michael, this yet another example of superiority of Vlad Putin managed democracy to decadent English version. Here in Smolensk butcher’s shop, Yuri my assistant, who is make filet of goat bladder in onion sauce, we are pityings your oil problems. Oh, how you have squandered your North Seas oil, while we – oh it is so unfair – have so much. Russia is beneficiary this oil pricings hike. We able spend proceeds on world class education and welfare systems for people. (Not always supply by state, but by petro-oligarchs, who are act as little platoons – very heavily armed – and provide socials asset in exchange for local protection monopolies and informal duties on consumers goods.) Petroleums is not cause us domestic strife, but is more powerful than big A-Bomb in give influence over neighbours.

    We are hope petrol not become issue in you elections. If you like, Vlad chat with OPEC colleagues and maybe we cut off British supplies. Then problem of high price oil is go away and election proceed smooth.

  • Comment number 2.

    That's it Crick...start off a fuel panic during the hustings!

    I've just filled up my 3 cars though...just in case ;o)

  • Comment number 3.

    The protests on Saturday aren't about fuel prices, they are part of a series of actions in the run up to the BP AGM on the 15th protesting about their involvement in extracting tar sands in canada, which is having horrific consequences for the climate, the local environment and indigenous communities that are witnessing soaring rates of rare cancers. People in London are meeting at 1pm at Oxford Circus and then going to a mystery BP-related location to "Party at the Pumps".

  • Comment number 4.

    Wow Michael, you actually read your comments.

    Admittedly you don't have very many. but well done all the same!

  • Comment number 5.

    I doubt it will become an election issue, it is more of an economic reality than something a deeply endebted incomming government with a dodgy currency can do anything about. Even if a party states it will 'cut the cost of petrol' noboddy will believe them, i think they know that so why bother?

    A more convincing policy statement would be one along the lines of.

    ' sorry everyone due to developing world demands expensive fuel is here to stay but we have got a positive policy in place to replace it with more renewable energy forms for transport whih will ensure we are not at the mercy of future commodity price spikes or sterling devaluation (Both of which are quite likely in the coming years and may happen art the same time.....).

    However to state the above would require a degree of honesty and emotional maturity from our politicians therefore it will never happen!



  • Comment number 6.

    Michael

    I liked the idea proposed today that the wage of bosses within the public sector be pegged at a maximum of 20 times the lowest wage. Prehaps if a similar policy were applied to the banks we would be in a much healthier position and would have no multi million pound bonuses.

  • Comment number 7.

    #1 Konnolsky...

    How you say?

    Big appreciate of your comments.

    Very good - most amusing commrade!

  • Comment number 8.

    are we to leave it to the farmers and truckers again? Where is the groundswell of anger from the broad mass of working people who are being forced off the road. We pay the highest taxes in Europe on fuel and yet we do nothing about protesting about the injustice of it all. We are spineless compared to other EU countries!

  • Comment number 9.

    I'm not sure the price of petrol specifically will become an issue, but it is an opening for smaller parties with stronger green credentials than either the Tories or Labour to make energy policy an election issue.

  • Comment number 10.

    I am really upset the American situation regarding blame on "British Petroleum" which is now a multi-national company floated on the stock markets internationally.

    The well responsible for the "BP Oil Spill" is 25% owned by an American Oil Company Anadarco, 65% BP and Japanese Bank (10%) and the rig Transocean is also American. To add insult the cementing contractors Haliburturon are American, all partners in this situation.

    Scientist in the oil industry

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