So many people seem to be missing the point of the petrol protest. It was a spontaneous act, started by a few people, which rapidly gained public support because this particular tax has become unfair and unjust.

The tax hits those who can least afford it the hardest - the poor, disabled and elderly and imposes an impossible burden on our transport industry.

For those who ask which hospitals, schools or other services will receive less money if tax on petrol is reduced, the answer is none. We elect a government and expect it to design a tax system fair to us all. When it fails to do this and ignores our representations, it is reasonable to protest. We must now ask our leaders if they can devise a tax fairer than the existing one.

-R. Benson, The Crescent, Lancing