Red Diesel blockade Protests Planned

Chris_Robb

Chris_Robb

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This months PBO has a page on a planned fuel protest being organised by Malcolm Bennett. This is a protest against the Red diesel hikes that will happen in November. Perhaps Mr Brown will change his mind if we blockade a commercial harbour or 2!!!

So where should we have this blockade? Portsmouth Harbour, Southampton??

Malcolms contact details are Bennett140@btinternet.com or call 07889 913492 if you want to get involved in organising a blockade.

Would YOU join a blockade? I was thinking how much we would upset Her Majesties Harbour master's voluntairs patrolling the entrance....... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I never have understood why I have to pay extortionate tax on my socially essential consumption of 40 or so litres a month of car diesel while powerboaters can fill up with hundreds of litres of the stuff without paying tax. They then charge around making waves which upset saily boaters gins & tonics as well as knocking the wind out of their sails.

No - tax 'em off the water, I say.
 
I agree entirely. No one has ever been able to explain why leisure boaters in UK should get tax relief on diesel when the rest of the EU is paying it. We've essentially got away with it up to now and there's no reason why we should.
 
We've essentially got away with it up to now and there's no reason why we should.

Reason 1 The motor boat industry is one of a few remaining sucess industries which will most likley go into decline, jobs less tax paid etc.
Reason 2 we already have one of the highest duty on road diesel in Europe with a windfall VAT since fuel prices have gone up (so no need for this small income) from Red diesel.

Reason 3 If I am correct it is Europe that is pushing for this; Fine, lets have a standard fuel duty throughout Europe, not just 'cherrypick' the rules that bring in cash to Mr Brown.

Reason 4 As a person who chooses to sail rather than motor (me) I think that it a rather selfish attude you display towards other boaters. I know people who choose to motor on perhaps a she string it will price these people out of the water.
Reason 5 What a ham fisted compromise, where people will have to self certify the duty, keeping receipts etc, and who will check these receipts ?, some highly paid twits working for HMRC thats who!.
 
I suppose it pays for the roads you drive on, which need maintenance and all the rest.

I don't think that applies to the sea, never seen a roller on the sea....

Perhaps there is something unacceptable in the consumption of huge quantities of deisel - however for many of us, it will simply add about another £100 cost - one tax increase too far....
 
Only a blockade or action of similar impact at the Port of London would get appropriate attention. The government doesn't know there is a country outside London.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I never have understood why I have to pay extortionate tax on my socially essential consumption of 40 or so litres a month of car diesel while powerboaters can fill up with hundreds of litres of the stuff without paying tax..................................

No - tax 'em off the water, I say.

[/ QUOTE ]Never ever ever argue for more taxes for other groups of people, The government PR machine is constantly encouraging us to do this and you're walking straight into the trap, it's divide and rule. You will become aware soon of an ever growing campaign that boat owners should pay more for the services they receive so when yacht owners become the target blame yourself.
 
I don't think you have produced a valid argument for maintaining the status quo.
Reason 1. The most successful parts of the UK boating industry (Sunseeker, Discovery Yachts etc) are successful selling abroad not just in UK. Abroad in Europe, all the other countries got rid of duty free diesel years ago.
Reason 2. This has nothing to do with tax on road diesel.
Reason 3. It is Brussels which has told UK to get into line. You can take a pop at Brussels but it isn't Brown's fault.
Reason 4. I'm certainly not being selfish....I just haven't heard any argument that's rational to justify keeping leisure sailors of all sorts (me included) in duty free fuel.
Reason 5. I agree entirely.
Pip Pip
 
Ok so we block off the Thames and how many boats would that take and who is going to anchor up in the middle of the shipping lane and have a big stop sign ?
I am willing to join in any protest using my vessel but not so sure in getting in the way of a foreign freighter the size of a block of flats that’s on a time schedule with a big fat hairy old seadog as a captain on board !
 
How can you say it is not a Valid argument!

I can think of two people I know who are now selling their MoBos because of the fuel duty, It cannot contribute to the british boating industry. It must have a negative affect.
I agree that most of Europe does not have reduced duty on leasure diesel, however road and marine diesel is taxed less in Europe (in general) and one must assume that when duty is payable marine providers will mark it up much higher than road diesel, as petrol is now.
Brussells also told the French to buy our meat (after mad cow) did they?? As always we comply with all directives from the E.U. most of Europe seem to ignor the bits they dont like (this is the perception I have anyway) so Brown IMHO is at fault, after all its more coffersfor him.

''No - tax 'em off the water, I say''. which you entirly agree with! I think this is a little selfish, I am not a lover of MOBOs they choose to 'drive' everywhere that up to them not all of them are super rich some do it on a shoe sting just to get out on the water.

That said it could have the desired effect on marina space and prices so its not all bad, I guess we will agree to disagree
Happy sailing
 
You will become aware soon of an ever growing campaign that boat owners should pay more for the services they receive so when yacht owners become the target blame yourself.
*************************************************

Quite right or the next thing we ll have is Honest Gordon implimenting Sail Tax to catch those who buy so little diesel..
 
Point taken....I was agreeing with the general thrust of the argument and certainly not the "Tax them off the water" bit. I know a lot of small boat owners who will be severely affected and I feel for them. But still.....
Take care
 
[ QUOTE ]

Fine, lets have a standard fuel duty throughout Europe, not just 'cherrypick' the rules that bring in cash to Mr Brown.


[/ QUOTE ]
If we have a standard fuel duty, could we have a standard wine duty as well? please?
 
There is a fuel embargo in Spain at the moment. It is having an effect with lots of garages running out of diesel. They are complaining as they are having to pay 1.35 (approx) per litre. That is euro not sterling.
Red is not available in marinas, and has not been for a while, and the price is the same as at the forecourt. The difference is there appears to be fewer of the big mobo's and more smaller ones suitable for day fishing.
 
If they didnt tax the diesel, they'd just tax something else. The problem has two root causes:

1. There is too much money wasted by too many government levels.
2. The oil price is rising, due to pressures on demand coupled to reducing stocks.

The solution, is WE need to look to alternative energy sources (we can't wait for government to do it, they are only giving it lip service). Or, we need a different model for government.

As regards the point that its EU law and we have to abide by it, I presume that EU law also allowed the French Fishermen's blockade?
 
[ QUOTE ]
I never have understood why I have to pay extortionate tax on my socially essential consumption of 40 or so litres a month of car diesel while power boaters can fill up with hundreds of litres of the stuff without paying tax. They then charge around making waves which upset saily boaters gins & tonics as well as knocking the wind out of their sails.

No - tax 'em off the water, I say.

[/ QUOTE ]

Quite agree, as I am in the haulage industry & am being forced to put my prices up every month, funny thing is every time I ask customers for more they just agree & say they understand. So higher fuel prices must be a good thing, shame it puts up the price of bread & milk in the shops but ho hum, I own the company so my income goes up in line with prices so I'm OK /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I reckon I can afford an extra grand or two for the boat each year, who knows, by the end of the year I might buy a bigger faster mobo (lots of wash) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Or you guys could join hauliers fighting for lower fuel duty for everyone.
Oh, & yes I would take part in a protest if only for the fun. RD can get out of the way of big ships bloody quick when need be. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I never have understood why I have to pay extortionate tax on my socially essential consumption of 40 or so litres a month of car diesel while powerboaters can fill up with hundreds of litres of the stuff without paying tax. They then charge around making waves which upset saily boaters gins & tonics as well as knocking the wind out of their sails.

No - tax 'em off the water, I say.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story, will you!

It is a European edict that we are being told is the problem here, and we are only complying with that. The rule is that there cannot be different levels of duty for the same fuel.
So the Government, ably assisted by the RYA , are conning us (yes, you included) by deciding that Red Diesel is the same as the low sulphur fuel you buy for your car. It isn't, it's a less "clean" concoction.

Thus the Government could have imposed a far lower level of tax that would have complied with Europe.

You also suggest that we, again you included, don't pay tax on the diesel fuel we/you currently buy. Where do you live in the UK as I'd sure like to fill up where you do? You are either buying illegal supplies or else reside offshore. Of course we pay tax on "Red" at present - what GB is going to do in November is add the maximum extra tax that he thought he'd get away with.

I do so hope you have a Summer of flogging sails /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
Given the limited amount of time that many sailors and boat owners, in employment, have, I think many would be rather upset to find that their weekend's pleasure is denied them by a gaggle of leisure gas guzzlers. IMHO.
 
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