WE have read and heard from many people and heard many views about the tanker blockade. We have heard people who condemn those that organised the blockade and those that totally agreed with it.

I myself tried to look a little deeper than the blockade. I tried to ask myself many questions. Some I found to be rather disturbing, like -- why do we have the highest petrol tax in Europe? Why do our pensioners not get what they truly deserve? After all, how many people could survive what they have, and freedom of speech?

Some people seem to think that this country is totally dependent on fuel tax. Some people think that, if ful tax was reduced, the NHS would suffer. And some people think that fuel tax should be taxed even higher.

Firstly, this country does not depend totally on fuel tax; secondly, the reason for the increase and cost of petrol and diesel is to keep inflation down. This has recently been proved by the increase in inflation due to the increase in oil.

I have recently heard that Mr Gordon Brown, in his pre-Budget speech in November, will reduce the road fund licence by £50 on some vehicles.

The question is, all those that believed that there would be a dramatic reduction in services if a reduction was made in fuel tax, will they still have the same opinion of those that created the blockade, or will they be glad that, through the efforts of those people, a change was made?

And let us not forget that there are resources -- for the Dome, £123 million for the new MPs' offices, Portcullis House, the swinging bridge (now known as the 'Bridge of Sighs'). There are many factors that we totally ignore, but the saddest question is, why do so many people deny change?

Through time, people have fought for change. Some are frightened, some stand to the challenge, and others simply go with the flow.

Let this country not be suppressed by its Government, or any other. Let the people speak out and ask for change.

Mr N Hayden

Broad ' Lane

Bolton