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Motorists threaten to 'vote with wheels' over fuel prices

24/06/2008

Two thirds of AA members said they will vote for a different government if fuel rise between 125 - 149p per litre.

According to a poll from the motorists' organisation, almost half (49 per cent) of the 18,500 drivers surveyed said the government is to blame for the current high fuel prices.

In addition, 55 per cent think the government stands to benefit the most from the high price of fuel.

The survey also showed 63 per cent of panellists say that they would start active protests if the price of petrol and diesel rises to certain levels and 65 per cent say that they would vote for a different government if the cost of petrol and diesel rises to between 125p - 149p per litre.

AA president Edmund King said: "Despite massive increases in the global cost of oil, motorists still blame the government. Two thirds of motorists indicate that if fuel costs continue to rise to between 125p - 149p per litre then they will vote with their wheels against the government.

"The chancellor needs to act now to alleviate the fears of motorists. He should immediately abandon the threatened 2p increase in duty, set up a fuel price regulator and examine innovative ways of stabilising prices."

But Labour is not the only political party motorists are unhappy with. When asked to select the "most motorist-friendly political party" three quarters of members opted for none of the main three parties or felt that they did not know.