[Acrylic-bob]

To change the subject just a little, we were having a little discussion on the way back home from Blackpool today - lots of closed petrol stations there! We were talking about the tax burden placed on motorists.

For a start the oil is taxed when it comes out of the pipeline, then it is taxed when it comes out of the refinery, then the government take another slice in petrol duty and another slice in VAT and yet another slice in corporation tax on the profits of petrol stations and even more in income tax from the people who work in petrol stations. Then they have a go a charging us to use the roads through the Road Fund Tax. Then they charge VAT on your vehicle and your insurance of it. And then tax you on everything you buy for it or have done to it. And before long they will also be taxing you to dispose of your used tyres and the scrapping of your knackered vehicle. In the meantime they tax you for going too fast and for leaving it in the wrong place for too long. Omit to pay any of the above taxes and they will tax you still further and also, possibly, take away your liberty.

If this what is meant by living in a free country, I would hate to have to live in one that is not free!