Strange wave of Protest hits Britain

by G W F H Wednesday, Sep. 13, 2000 at 4:46 PM

At the time of writing, Britain's oil refineries have been blockaded by angry farmers demanding a reduction in fuel tax. Commercial petroleum is in short supply now and the government has not ruled out the use of troops.

The Labour regime indeed used troops to break a firemens strike in 1977 (its been out of power since then) and it seems a distinct possibility in a fluid situation.

Small farmers have been protesting in Britain for most of the decade: however the catalyst came by a sudden outburst of internationalsim (of a kind) where the success of French farmers in using similar tactics was finally noted.

It must be noted that this action is entirely unconnected with the new red / green / black movement, nor is it a socialist strike: the participants have no concern except their own, but what is the cause ?

Small farmers gave been hit extraordinaly badly by high rents: most land in Britain is still owned, ultimately, by the aristocratic class, and typical of these modern day Barons is the self styled Charles " Prince" Windsor, who owns through the crown, Cornwall, Wales, and much of Scotland. He and his regents charge very high rents to farmers.

Unfortunately, the farmers do not see the problem so openly: they tend to blame overseas imports and the town dweller in general. Where the British left has failed is in not giving a clear direction to these confused people: they have not given any help to the small farmer, or farm worker and consequently they still look for their inspiration to the conglomerates and aristocrats who exploit them.

Original: Strange wave of Protest hits Britain