Why has it taken us this long to get to action stations?
Regarding the reserve fleet of about 80 civilian-driven petrol tankers that was mobilised on Wednesday and the 150 Army personnel that will be driving tankers (Metro, Thu). It’s good to know that we have a reserve fleet of petrol tankers but it begs the question: why were they not mobilised a lot sooner, along with our military personnel?
Mark Iles, Newark
Can the government confirm the new drivers will be fully conversant with the rules regarding dangerous goods in transportation – alcoholic spirit, petrol etc? Also, the transport of animals, plus all the forms required? They will need chaperones to keep them right…
Albert, Edinburgh
Amid all the complaining about the DVLA allegedly sitting on a huge backlog of HGV licence applications while civil servants lounge at home, my experience was that on Wednesday evening last week I submitted an online domestic driving licence renewal application, and the new photocard licence arrived in the post on the Saturday. It was barely a two-day turnaround time, so something’s working!
Michael, Kingston-upon-Thames
Is the government sabotaging this petrol shortage by trying to get us all out of our petrol cars because of Boris’s stance on climate change in New York the other day? I wonder…
Ossie, Essex
I think it’s selfish and crazy that people are allowed to fill up loads of jerry cans with petrol – as well as their vehicle. I’m a key worker and have just managed to get petrol.
Mary, London
The two men who filled up a bin bag with petrol truly are imbeciles (Metro, Thu). Petrol eats through plastic bags. Jack, Surrey
If Boris Johnson thinks the situation is easing he needs to open his rosetinted window. It’s probably fine for him, as he’s being chauffeured around, but let’s see him drive around looking for a petrol station with fuel, then queue for an hour. What would he think then?
Kevin, Hertfordshire
One of the ways to reduce queues at filling stations could be to have a person at the entrance checking fuel gauges. If the vehicle has more than half a tank, the driver should be advised that they will not be permitted to obtain fuel. This
Newest Labour: Sir Keir Starmer at the Labour party conference in Brighton
Sir Keir Starmer laid out his As a toolmaker, I find it pathetic vision for government at the Labour that Sir Keir Starmer constantly party conference in Brighton on brings up his father when trying to Wednesday (Metro, Thu) – but lots of appeal to hard-working people. smooth words reminded me of Tony And I guarantee him that if he Blair in many ways. raised the minimum wage to £15/hr
There were lots of very loose I will be switching my career to promises and generalisations something far less skilled and tiring regarding what Labour would do if than toolmaking, as the pay gap they were in power but no substance. would be little to nothing. If what he
The other concern I have is, yes, stands for is high-paid wages to winning is good but why would I want those who don’t wish to put the extra to vote for Labour if the party is not work in, then he will not be getting united? Can you imagine the power my vote. Derron, Coventry struggles taking place between
Jeremy Corbyn and his followers against Starmer? It would be like a coalition government agreeing on nothing and arguing among themselves over everything. Not voting for that. Paul, West Midlands
was tried the last time there was a fuel crisis and it worked well.
Chris, Maidstone
In response to David Hamm, who suggests people who ‘can’t get to work’ should use public transport (MetroTalk, Wed). What should I tell my plumber father, then, who has a van load of tools?
Sam Gray, Hertfordshire
I’ve been a Liberal Democrat voter for decades but hearing Sir Keir’s rousing vision for a more liberal Labour, post-Jeremy Corbyn, has convinced me that I should switch my allegiance.
An excellent explanation of public transport, Brian (MetroTalk, Thu).
I’d like to add, though, how ridiculously expensive it is, and that when the price of a return train ticket out of London is significantly cheaper than one into London, it’s often needlessly expensive. In fact, what a con it is…