Truckers and others who have been protesting the high cost of fuel and fuel taxes in Britain called off key blockades today after Prime Minister Tony Blair said he would "not give in to violence, to blockades, to threats."
Yesterday Blair, along with leaders from Belgum and Germany, who are also experiencing protests, rejected the notion of any concessions on fuel taxes. "It cannot be right to try to force a chance in policy by these means," Blair said at a news conference. German and Belgian officials also refused demands for fuel tax rebates.
Demonstrations were called off at 10 fuel refineries and depots, about a quarter of the facilities being blockaded. The first to withdraw were protesters at Stanlow in northwest England, where the action began a week ago. A spokesman for the protesters said they had won a "moral victory." He called on other demonstrators to call off their protests and join in a national campaign for a cut in the fuel tax.
Although England's protest caused gas station tanks to dry up, there was a lot of public support for the protesters. However, protesters feared they would have lost public support if they had continued, according to published reports.
Yesterday Blair, along with leaders from Belgum and Germany, who are also experiencing protests, rejected the notion of any concessions on fuel taxes. "It cannot be right to try to force a chance in policy by these means," Blair said at a news conference. German and Belgian officials also refused demands for fuel tax rebates.
Demonstrations were called off at 10 fuel refineries and depots, about a quarter of the facilities being blockaded. The first to withdraw were protesters at Stanlow in northwest England, where the action began a week ago. A spokesman for the protesters said they had won a "moral victory." He called on other demonstrators to call off their protests and join in a national campaign for a cut in the fuel tax.
Although England's protest caused gas station tanks to dry up, there was a lot of public support for the protesters. However, protesters feared they would have lost public support if they had continued, according to published reports.
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