Britain’s hardest-hitting motorboat magazine

Last week news editor Rob Peake and I went to Downing Street to hand in MBM’s petition to save red diesel. I’d love to report that Tony Blair ushered us in, offered us tea and biscuits then sat enthralled as we reeled off the concerns of the 1400 boatowners who have signed it.

The reality is somewhat different. Ours being an on-line campaign, we weren’t even allowed through the gates, and the only person we could speak to was dressed in black and packing a gun. The PM himself must have been too busy worrying about how to stop people chasing foxes or being nasty to burglars. We explained that the petition was on its way to Number 10’s web address (the only approved route), took a quick photograph and left before the bloke with the gun became stroppy.

We might not have got an audience with the man himself, but I am pleased to report that the campaign is making progress. The issue has already been raised in Parliament, and is now on the radar screens at the Department of Trade & Industry. The British Marine Federation have had a meeting with key officials at the DTI and, according to the BMF’s executive director, Howard Pridding, there is still a good chance of getting them onside.

The final decision on whether the UK will ask the European Union for another derogation — allowing low-duty red diesel to continue to be sold for marine use — is not due until the summer, so there’s still time for you to do your bit.

The last thing the Government needs is another rebellion in the provinces, so fire up your computer, rewrite a few key points from our Red Alert charter (www.mbmcub.com/redalert) and e-mail them to your local MP. You can find his or her address at www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/alcm.cfm

If all else fails, gang up with a few mates, buy an old tanker and fill it to the brim on 31 December 2006.

Hugo Andreae, 17 February 2005