Your views on the petrol blockade

Queues for petrol have formed around the country

The on-going fuel crisis has seen petrol stations run dry, motorists panic buying and traffic chaos on roads throughout the UK.

News Online viewers have been sending in their opinions on the campaign to bring about lower fuel prices.

"Petrol prices typify all that's wrong with this country. I recently came back from a trip to the States and it's depressing as you come back and pay so much more for everything - and usually with poor service to boot. These petrol protesters should be given medals for what they are seeking to achieve. The statements of government ministers defending these stealth taxes are a joke. I'd like to know how many ministers pay for their own petrol."
Matt, London, England

Are people really arrogant and stupid enough to think that the high price of oil is a bad thing?

Neil, England

"Are people really arrogant and stupid enough to think that the high price of oil is a bad thing? We are already seeing the problems caused by burning too many fossil fuels. From a tax point of view, if the government does not put the tax on fuel, they will either need to cut spending or tax people in other areas."
Neil, England

"Most people in the UK would not object to a 'fair' tax on fuel. But the UK Government has finally pushed the consumer too far, and they are now reaping the widespread discontent that this outrageous level of tax has sown. If the protests continue to escalate then this issue could bring the government down."
Malcolm E. Osman, UK

"If the government is unwilling to listen to the wishes of the British public then you can kiss democracy goodbye, we are living in a dictatorship, pure and simple. If Tony Blair does not wise up soon, the question will not be the high price of petrol, but the suitability of a government that ignores the wishes of the its electorate."
Toby Nichols, UK

"We can't have our cake and eat it too. The British want good education, a National Health Service, good roads and good public transport, whilst also having low fuel prices and low income tax. The equation just doesn't balance. Yes, the taxation on petrol is excessive, but income tax is amongst the lowest in the Western world. If the rates were reversed would people be any happier, or would they just find something else to moan about?"
Leon, Germany

The government says taxation on petrol is high to help the environment - so why does the UK have to help the environment more than other EU countries?

Ian, England

"I wonder what happens when a fire engine or an ambulance can't get to a call? Who's to blame then? I think this is getting out of hand."
Nick Rogers, England

"The government should act by continuing to raise duty on fuel to discourage the acceleration of use of a finite commodity, the use of which is causing serious damage to the planet.
The revenue should be used to step up the search for alternative fuels and modes of transport as well as means of producing alternative materials to plastics, paints, synthetic pharmaceuticals etc, many of which are currently derived from oil by-products."
Dave, UK

"The government should not give in to the lorry drivers. The price of fuel in the UK reflects the true environmental cost better than in some other countries. The higher cost is already making motorists (myself included) chose more fuel efficient cars.
If the petrol price were dropped, this would encourage the use of gas guzzlers, especially the use of off-road vehicles by people who don't need them. High prices and government subsidies will encourage the use of hybrid vehicles, which can do 100+ mpg."
Chris, UK

"The government says taxation on petrol is high to help the environment - so why does the UK have to help the environment more than other EU countries?"
Ian, England