Last updated 13:33, Monday, 21 July 2008

So Alistair Darling is going to delay the 2p per litre increase in fuel duty. Big deal.

A petrol gauge

This will have no effect whatsoever on the cost of living.

The huge price rises in shops and industry is caused solely by the price of oil.

If this Labour Government weren’t so greedy, by snatching 70 per cent in tax revenue from every litre, the problem could be controlled easily.

Does the Chancellor think he is giving us a gift? Should we be grateful for this supposed small mercy?

Tough luck if you live in a rural location. People who live in Stornoway, Cumbria, Sutherland, Cornwall, Yorkshire or just about any county apart from Greater London do not have the infrastructure that allows them an alternative to the car.

This pathetic half- hearted attempt at easing the tax burden on the price of fuel is all about one thing, popularity. More like the lack of it.

They should also remember that popularity breeds contempt. This government is an object of international derision.

It is more unpopular than ever. No matter what it does, it gets it wrong.

What we need is a large slice of revenue removed from the fuel duty.

Interestingly enough, only Norway is more expensive in Europe, than the UK for fuel.

Strange is it not, that the two countries which produce oil are the most expensive places to buy the refined product from!

SALLY PENTON
Clementina Terrace
Carlisle