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Liam O'Dell
Sep 27, 2021
It is “simply untrue” that the fuel shortage is a Brexit problem, and the real culprit is coronavirus – according to former Tory leader and staunch Brexiteer Sir Iain Duncan Smith.
Writing in The Telegraph on Sunday, the Chingford and Woodford Green MP claimed broadcasters and journalists have “lazily labelled” the shortage of HGV drivers as being down to our decision to leave the European Union back in 2016.
“This is simply untrue. This is a European-wide issue and the culprit is coronavirus,” he wrote.
“The origins of this chronic shortage lie in the long-term implications of locking down so completely … The reality is that, all over Europe, when countries locked down many drivers went home and many more were furloughed, then retired.”
IDS’ comments came after some UK petrol stations reported that they had run out of fuel, with members of the public panic-buying in response to the shortage of HGV drivers.
Meanwhile, Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, told the BBC’s Andrew Marr that there is “no shortage of fuel” and that there is “plenty of petrol in the country”.
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Although Sir Iain claims the issue isn’t one about Brexit, the Road Haulage Association cited our exit from the bloc as one of several factors which has “exacerbated the shortage” in a letter to the Prime Minister in June.
After claiming that many drivers “returned to their country of origin” during lockdown, the association added: “The uncertainty of Brexit and future rights to live and work in the UK forced many drivers to do the same. Again, the vast majority have not yet returned.”
The Tory MP has since been ridiculed online for his remarks - in a classic case of dunking on the Dunc:
Oh bloody hell… https://t.co/uHmadExS53— Deborah Meaden 💙 (@Deborah Meaden 💙) 1632731152
I see Iain Duncan Smith is under the impression that anyone takes him seriously and doesn't remember his combover.— Louis Barfe (@Louis Barfe) 1632732440
@MPIainDS https://t.co/tURxv2vzYa— Martin James 🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺🔸💙 (@Martin James 🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺🔸💙) 1632671927
@MPIainDS The game is up. Boy are you ppl in trouble!— Siob, Princess of Yorkshire 💙#FBPE #FBR (@Siob, Princess of Yorkshire 💙#FBPE #FBR) 1632672257
@MPIainDS I think the 'bureaucrats' may have a different view to yours https://t.co/wR8bXe6RZB— aalyta4192💙🧡💛 (@aalyta4192💙🧡💛) 1632673957
@MPIainDS You were warned. For years. You did nothing to prepare.— Lee (@Lee) 1632671491
@MPIainDS The chief of the Road Hauliers Association wrote to you government months ago to warn of the shortage of… https://t.co/FHkNXaDSmD— Danceywoman (@Danceywoman) 1632677606
@MPIainDS Every single thing has to be sacrificed in order to protect the Sacred Brexit.— Theferäl (@Theferäl) 1632670625
@MPIainDS No one believes this nonsense. Brexit exacerbated an existing problem. Brexiters made no effort to deal w… https://t.co/PvSqS5r9Bl— Paul Carnahan (@Paul Carnahan) 1632672470
@MPIainDS Brexit is unquestionably one of the reasons, to exclude it from the many reasons makes you just look guil… https://t.co/jDdSPBdJlp— Chris 'Haggis' Bruce (@Chris 'Haggis' Bruce) 1632670869
As long as Iain Duncan Smith is treated as an authority on anything except dishonest CV’s & fake testimonials, the… https://t.co/rRIeqI0yeT— James Oh Brien (@James Oh Brien) 1632726138
With empty shelves in food shops, Iain Duncan Smith decides to take a packed lunch to work. https://t.co/9St7zEAzW9— Parody Boris Johnson (@Parody Boris Johnson) 1632726869
Once again, Sir Iain’s comments appear to serve no benefit, which is fitting for the former work and pensions secretary.