THERE is compelling evidence that motorists and hauliers are getting a very raw deal indeed from this Government.

Our petrol and diesel prices are the highest in Europe. And it is galling to see the Treasury cream off even more money in VAT every time Opec pushes up the price of crude oil.

It is to this Government's discredit that it failed to respond favourably to reasonable demands for concessions which would ensure pump prices went down, while at the same time safeguarding the Treasury's revenue forecasts.

Practicalities may have meant that it was impossible to budge until next year's Budget. But a promise to redress the balance at the earliest opportunity would have been the hallmark of a Government in touch with public sentiment.

We can understand the resentment felt in many quarters by the Government's inflexibility on this issue.

But the plot to turn frustration into direct action which came within a whisker of bringing our economy to a standstill was ill-conceived.

It served to dilute, not enhance, sympathy for a worthy cause.

There must always be scope for legitimate and peaceful protest; for governments to be swayed by the power of argument and public opinion. Such processes are the very essence of democracy.

And while there may be times in democratic societies where a small minority tries to hijack the decision-making process from elected politicians and tries to hold the country to ransom, governments must never concede to such bully boy tactics.

The place to hold this Government to account is at the ballot box, to which all people have access; not at the blockades and the picket lines manned by a vociferous minority.

That said, it would be sad if Tony Blair and Gordon Brown chose to allow the action of the past few days to mask the message from those on the blockades.

They need to take that message on board, and make the necessary adjustments to fuel duties when the next Budget comes around.

While they must never give in to intimidation, they must listen to the electorate.