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Why are the general public so apathetic about fuel prices and the Protection of Freedoms bill?
Instead of motorists rejoicing that a debate over road fuel prices was triggered by a petition signed by just over 100,000 people, we should be looking upon this as the greatest show of public apathy ever. The figure should have been in the millions. Have we become a nation of moaners, but without the initiative and energy to do something positive to help a cause as important as this? Can I suggest a follow up petition now that will reflect the true strength of public anger at the continued rise in all fuel prices and the inevitability of more thoroughly disgraceful end of year profits from the oil industry in particular? The rogues are not just in banking. Take the total revenue created by the motorist out of our economy, and this nation would collapse and yet there appears no end to the way we are being continually milked.
Asked on 18 February 2012 by AA, Rural Cornwall.
Answered by
Honest John
I disagree. The greatest show of public apathy was a mere 7000 signatories to the petition against an unamended Clause 56 of the Protection of Freedoms Bill. This bill has now passed its reports stage unamended and, while banning clamping, instead gives members of the British Parking Association unlimited powers to pursue registered keepers of vehicles for whatever parking penalties they choose.
However, the Bill provides for the Secretary of State to take a decision on the suitability of the "independent challenge body" before issuing a “commencement order” for this part of the Act and the British Parking Association will be setting up an independent appeals scheme to operate from October 2012. Meanwhile, the BPA has asked that if I receive complaints about private parking enforcement that I feel are justified, I should ask readers to register their concern at www.britishparking.co.uk/AOS-Enquiries and you can find the BPA Code of Practice at: www.britishparking.co.uk/Approved-Operator-Scheme-...e
However, the Bill provides for the Secretary of State to take a decision on the suitability of the "independent challenge body" before issuing a “commencement order” for this part of the Act and the British Parking Association will be setting up an independent appeals scheme to operate from October 2012. Meanwhile, the BPA has asked that if I receive complaints about private parking enforcement that I feel are justified, I should ask readers to register their concern at www.britishparking.co.uk/AOS-Enquiries and you can find the BPA Code of Practice at: www.britishparking.co.uk/Approved-Operator-Scheme-...e
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