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Wed 7 Mar 2007 17:08

Don't drive as I do, drive as I say... - Robbie

The president of the European Commission was forced to defend himself yesterday against allegations of hypocrisy for owning a gas-guzzling 4x4 vehicle while Brussels steps up its campaign against vehicles which pollute the atmosphere.

José Manuel Barroso insisted that fighting climate change was about 'collective action'

José Manuel Barroso, who owns a Volkswagen Touareg, said: "I have never spoken of myself as an example to anybody - today's moralistic approach is not mine."

The president's German-built 4x4 emits high levels of CO2, running at up to 356 grams per kilometre, well above a 130 g limit Brussels is seeking to impose on the car industry by 2012.

tinyurl.com/ynm36y

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Wed 7 Mar 2007 17:25

Don't drive as I do, drive as I say... - milkyjoe

doesnt surprise me in the slightest

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Wed 7 Mar 2007 20:00

Don't drive as I do, drive as I say... - Mazda-Man

Hasn't a certain transport minister got 9 points on his licence for speeding ?

Honestly what do people expect from these hypocrites?

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Wed 7 Mar 2007 20:30

Don't drive as I do, drive as I say... - midlifecrisis

Of course he pays for his his vehicle with a a nice taxpayer funded expense account, so I'm sure he doesn't give fig!!

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Wed 7 Mar 2007 21:16

Don't drive as I do, drive as I say... - NowWheels

José Manuel Barroso, who owns a Volkswagen Touareg, said: "I have never spoken of myself as an example to anybody - today's moralistic approach is not mine."

I suppose that the best anyone can say for him is that he persuasively makes the case for some form of legal compulsion. It's the old problem: we get deluged with draconian new laws to prevent a recalcitrant minority from engaging in the sort of behaviour which anyone with a brain on the head can see is anti-social. :(

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