The Poll tax riots did actually have an effect - the government changed from the massively unfair personal tax back to the property based tax that we had before.
However, the likelihood of the government reducing fuel duty is as high as that of me growing tits.
The thing that really galls is that we are charged VAT on the tax we pay on fuel - how does that work ? I though VAT was for so-called ‘luxury items’ and since when exactly was tax a luxury item ?
See, why don’t we follow Spain’s example 
Bring all the roads to a halt, close all ports, shut the country down! :hehe:
Whilst things are VAT free there are a host of reasons for that, few to do with whether things are luxuries or not. In principle VAT is charged on everything unless there is a good raason not to.
I don’t think it was unfair :), it was more fair than a property tax . . . why should a big house with 2 people living in it pay more for the police and refuse services than a flat with 4 people living in it ?
Come on, fell the apathy, all the excuses for why we don’t this off the ground…
I’m looking for an appropriate date… if I find something that works, I’ll suggest it. I suggest anyone who lives in this country, uses a petrol based engine, owns a motorbike, and wants their view on this ludicrous price hiking to be heard, does the same.
STAND UP FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!
I don’t mind paying tax on petrol. I don’t mind paying VAT. I DO mind paying VAT on the tax that I’ve already paid on petrol - am I the only to think paying tax on the tax you’ve paid is just being bent over?
Because this is England and all English do is complain about everything and never actually do anything about it. Well that is how it seems nowadays, not forgetting those women who protested for womens rights to vote, anti slavery protesters, even those that protested about the poll tax. As a country we CAN do something about it but we wont,
with that said, IF bikes go on a protest ride I would go along. shut down Manchester, then Birmingham and London if they dont do something.
i support riding with a purpose/goal, such as commuting and protesting
I trust you all realise that organising any anti establishment activity on line will fall foul of the (hopeless and repressive) anti terrorism legislation?
Got that. You could be charge and detained for four, or six weeks if Gordon gets his way, for this.
O.K. Where and when?
a riot you mean? 
The principle was fairly sound, but the execution was horrific.The level of personal tax levied was roughly equal to the rates on a mid-priced house.Councils loved it because they at least doubled their income (if everyone had paid) overnight.
I was there, in manchester today protesting - it definatley had an impact, I’d say - having participated and followed the news about it, and the online communities - a lot more people than showed up today, want to do it again - the question is, what next?
If anyone gives a damn, pictures and info from what went on today, here: http://lee.hambley.name/index.php/archives/38
Nice one Lee.
-Steve
I think it’s well worth doing. I propose that we all meet up at the Ace or somewhere more central, and then ride down to Parliament Square. Once there, we should conduct at least an hour of 1st gear circuits around the traffic system.
I genuinely feel that this small protest would be enough to raise a few heads in parliament. Especially with some of the can’s we have on the bikes!
Anybody else up for it?
I propose we do it on Monday 9th, around lunchtime…
There’s a date and time, the gauntlet is down… Any takers? 
Better to make the racket around Parliament Square during PMQ’s (noon every Wednesday), parts of which are often broadcast.
I am up for it… but like the guys from Manchester did we need a lot of people… I think cabbies, lorry drivers, car drivers, most will be interested and will join us.
If it is done it has to be done properly, not 50 bikes going round and round looking as if they lost their way in central London.
hambley, were you involved in organising that, or just participating…?
then you all get arrested under the Anti -Terrorism act, theyre using that for everything now
I think we should do something, I think slow ride around the north circ, or clog up parliament square on a friday just as mp’s want to go off to their country pads. Although our fuel is currently cheaper than on the continent we need to address the issue.
It has to be Parliament at knocking off time for the MPs.
They can’t lock too many people anti-terror laws or not.
I’m for going on it, but no good at organising it.
n.b. that must only be a start though.
