OK, this sounds like a conspiracy theory, and it is. I don't believe it, but it's within the realms of possibility, albeit unlikely.

Basically, are we genuinely either killing the planet or running out of oil, and the government are too weak to tell us, so trying to tax us out of the game.

Here's some "evidence" for this hypothesis. I have some evidence against, but in the interests of a good discussion I'll let other people make them.

1. Road planners are trying to get us out of cars and onto public transport. But not improving public transport.
2. Despite the goverment making HUGE amounts of extra tax, they won't reduce fuel duty.
3. They are consistently increasing taxes on motoring, to a much greater extent than any other part of society.
4. It's getting desparate when they retrospectively apply taxes.

 

1. More roads are being built/widened. Public transport is being improved in some places.
2. They have to pay for all the extra benefits when unemployment rises in the near future.
3. This is good, more room on the roads for the rich. Less traffic, less pollution, less noise.
4. They are desperate.

 

Personally, i think that the government have realised that its more about generating tax than actually getting people off the road.

By not improving public transport we have no option but to use our cars.

If we have no option to use our cars then we can't avoid paying any increase in taxation.

Yet the government can claim they are doing it for environmental purposes to try and take the sting out of the increased taxation.

 

You've sort of hit on it back to front:

Because the entire economy is dependent on private motor transport, it's a great whipping horse to rape money out of.

Bit like cigarettes were, before everyone spolied the game by stopping smoking.

Barely 10% of bodies/goods moves by pubic transport; the investment required to (inefficiently) replace wagons & cars would be absolutely colossal. So it's only a fairy tale. A Gebrueder Grimm, one, admittedly!

 

I for one would be a bit happier if they just admitted they were raising money, rather than blaming it on an ecological agenda.

 

You would, because then you could truly argue that its unfair.

They muddy the waters by claiming the environmental issue.

The reality is that public spending is out of control and they are desperate to find cash wherever they think they can get away with it.

 

That's true;

It's the inevitable corollary of the current fashion for 'big government'.

 

Pot's empty.

Many motorists have no alternative or the alternative is so grim/expensive/time consuming it's not appealing so tax motorist.

Pot slightly less empty than it was.

 

Just to remove half of the conspiracy theory - take it from me, we are categorically not running out of oil.

Certaily the remaining reserves are increasingly difficult / expensive to exploit, but with $135/bll oil, there are astonishing volumes of the stuff left which are economically viable.

 

This is what I said all along. But who took any notice? Far King nobody!