'We can bring the government down': Truckers vow to 'bring UK to a halt' in support of striking tanker drivers.

'We can bring the government down': Truckers vow to 'bring UK to a halt' in support of striking tanker drivers.(DM).Thousands of truckers are preparing to go head to head with the army in support of striking tanker drivers - and have warned they will 'bring Britain to a halt'. They plan to blockade refineries and cause gridlock on motorways to stop soldiers moving fuel around the UK in the event of a strike. Fuel Lobby leaders who are concerned at rocketing prices have formed an alliance with the tanker drivers, whose union bosses will begin talks this week to try to prevent strike action. It follows a disastrous week for the Government after ministers faced intense criticism for urging motorists to keep their petrol tanks topped up - prompting a wave of panic-buying at filling stations across the country.
The truckers are led by farmer and haulier Andrew Spence, who was instrumental in the blockades in 2000 which led to 3,000 petrol stations running out of fuel. The father-of three, who runs a mixed farm and plant hire company in Consett, County Durham, said he would 'bring Britain to a halt' unless his organisation's concerns were addressed.
He said: 'We have been in negotiations with the tanker drivers since 2000 and have been aware of their grievances for some time. 'We have said to them we may have to stand beside them in any protest. We are better organised than we were in 2000. This time we will bring the Government down.' He said the action was a 'last resort' because hauliers and farmers were going bust. 'People are going to the wall. The pressure we are under is ridiculous,' he added. 'The price of fuel is rising by the day and 63 per cent of the price is tax. It is costing me £200 a day just to run an average sized tractor. 'I filled up the five wagons I run yesterday and it cost me £7,500. That fuel will last till Tuesday and then I'll have to fill them up all over again.Gas price stands now at $ 8.485 a Gallon.'There is no way you can make a living. 
We are supposed to be coming out of a recession but it feels like we are getting deeper into it.' The Fuel Lobby blockades in 2000 were driven by the cost of petrol and diesel for road vehicle use. They were led primarily by lorry drivers and farmers. The protests forced the government to announce a freezing of fuel duties and promised changes would be made to the way that goods vehicles on British road were taxed. Mr Spence said: 'There is no meat left on the bone. 'It just cannot go on. If it does, we'll be back to the days of Steptoe and Son and I'll be delivering to Tesco and Asda in a horse and cart, which right now does not seem such a poor option. 'When you are put in a corner, what can you do? We are in that corner and we are going to come out and fight.' His warning came as Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain is better prepared to withstand a strike by tanker drivers because of the actions taken by the Government over the past week. Ministers faced criticism for urging motorists to keep their petrol tanks topped up, which led to panic-buying at filling stations across the country.The union representing fuel tanker drivers is preparing to enter peace talks amid a plea to the Government not to scupper the prospect of a deal to avert strikes. With talks set to begin at the conciliation service Acas this week, Unite - which represents fuel tanker drivers - urged the Government to distance itself from speculation that the message to stockpile fuel was part of a deliberate strategy to give the coalition its 'miners moment'. Queues have now shortened on petrol forecourts after drivers were urged not to panic-buy fuel. The Government issued new advice, telling motorists there was 'no urgency' to top up tanks, after Unite ruled out the threat of strikes over Easter.Read the full story here