Boris Johnson dodges the blame for Britain’s petrol-pump nightmare
But his government has not got any better at crisis-management
FEW THINGS spook a prime minister like a petrol crisis. In his autobiography, Tony Blair recalls one in 2000 caused by fuel protests. The Downing Street machine was moving at a glacial pace. Decisive orders were needed. “I would like the army to come in and if necessary drive your tankers,” he recalls saying, “and if they meet with any violence from protesters, I want you the police to deal with them very firmly, and if not, to let the army take care of them. They’re very good at it.”
This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Running on empty”
Britain October 2nd 2021
- Boris Johnson dodges the blame for Britain’s petrol-pump nightmare
- The government looks set to ditch an ambitious target for housebuilding
- England’s pioneering mental-health programme hits a ceiling
- Professors and students seek to widen the appeal of classics
- In Britain, young women got more work during the pandemic
- Andy Burnham wants to help rescue the Tories’ signature policy
- Sir Keir Starmer is sailing the Labour Party in the right direction
From the October 2nd 2021 edition
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