Tory MPs Join Calls For Action On Fuel Prices

by liamssoft | November 15, 2011 at 07:23 am

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More than 80 Conservatives are set to back calls for the Government to take action on soaring petrol prices as Downing Street agrees not to instruct its MPs how to vote.

The petrol debate has been triggered by a high-profile campaign against next year's 3p increase in January and 5p increase in August led by Conservative MP Robert Halfon.

It is the second time in less than a month that Prime Minister David Cameron has faced a disagreement with a large number of his backbenchers.

More than 100 MPs from all parties - including 83 Conservatives and five Liberal Democrats - have so far signed the motion, which does not represent Government policy.

Mr Halfon, a Tory backbencher who secured the debate after a No. 10 e-petition attracted more than 100,000 signatures, initially feared there would be a three-line whip from the Government - the strongest disciplinary sanction.

But Downing Street sources confirm the vote will not be "whipped", allowing MPs to choose which side to support. The Government will abstain, the source added.

The motion set to be debated is more moderate than the petition that triggered it.

While the online petition called for specific policy changes, the MP's motion asks the Government to "consider the feasibility" of price stabilisation.

Motoring journalist Quentin Willson, who speaks for FairFuelUK, said: "Advanced economies do not tax people to restrict their mobility.

"It's a Trojan horse fuel duty, it's corroding the economy from within. Money is being lost through people not driving, not going to work, not getting jobs, not paying VAT."

UK Drivers cut petrol use by 15% buying 1.75bn fewer litres of fuel this year, so they are losing that revenue anyway. Then there is all the national insurance, the VAT, the corporation tax, the personal tax that is not being generated because people aren't shopping."http://news.sky.com/home/politics/article/16110418