(1 votes, average: 1 out of 5)
Loading ...Huge hikes in petrol prices could lead put upon motorists to vote the Government out, it was revealed today. Two thirds of 18,500 AA members surveyed said they would vote for a different governemt should fuel prices rise to between 125p adn 149p a litre.
This comes at a time when average diesel prices are already past the 125p mark.
Almost half (49 per cent) of those polled believed the Government was most responsible for the rise in fuel prices. And when asked who was benefiting most from the high prices, 55 per cent said the governement, compared with 30 percent who said the oil companies and only 13 per cent who said the oil producing countries.
A majority of those polled said their priority if they were transport minister would be to freeze fuel tax. A further 25 per cent would make public transport cheaper and only 8 per cent would penalise gas guzzlers.
As many as 19 per cent would start active protests if prices rose to between 125p adn 149p, although 36 per cent said they would never protest nor would they vote for a different governement whatever the price.
When asked to select the ‘most motorist-friendly political party”, 75 per cent opted for none of the main three parties or said they did not know:
The poll also showed:
- Motorists in Scotland were more likely to blame the government for the high cost of fuel;
- London motorists were least likely and west country motorists the most likely to vote for another government as fuel prices go up.
- Welsh motorists were most likely to start active protests if the price of fuel rose to 175-199p per litre;
- West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside motorists were more likely to cut petrol tax if they were transport minister;
- North East England motorists were most likely to penalise gas Guzzlers and motorists in southern England and London were most keen to see cheaper public transport.
AA President Edmind King said: “These results suggest that motorists have little faith in politiions to deliver motor-friendly policies. There is a vacuum on issues that affect the majority of voters. This is on a range of issues including fuel prices, taxation, and road maintenance. Whoever grabs the turf convincingly will gain advantage at the ballot box.”