A 10p cut in fuel duty should be introduced to help motorists deal with the rising cost of petrol and diesel caused by the Iran war, Sir Ed Davey has said.
The Liberal Democrat leader also called for a 10% cut in rail fares to help travellers with cost-of-living pressures.
Sir Ed’s offer to deal with living costs comes after other opposition parties have set out their plans to lower the price of petrol and home energy bills.
The Conservatives have called for VAT on energy bills to be removed for the next three years, while Reform UK pledged to reduce VAT on fuel, and scrap green levies on energy bills.
The flurry of policies comes amid the global energy price spike caused by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping route in the Middle East where some 20% of the world’s oil usually flows through.
Speaking at a press conference in Westminster, Sir Ed hit out at Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK’s Nigel Farage for their initial support for Donald Trump’s war with Tehran.
The Liberal Democrat leader said: “A tank of petrol now costs £11 more than it did before (US President Donald) Trump’s war.
“A tank of diesel is £23 more every time you fill up.
“That is the Trump tax on driving, the Farage tax on driving, the Badenoch tax on driving, and it’s hurting families and businesses across the country.”
Sir Ed added: “This extra Trump-Farage-Badenoch tax is the last thing they need.
“Businesses, families, pensioners – people need help now.
“And that’s what we’re calling for today – action now to tackle the cost of Trump’s war and keep Britain moving.”
He said taking action on petrol and diesel prices, cutting fuel duty “now, not by 1p, not by 5p, by 10p a litre”, was “especially important today as people set off to join families and friends for the Easter weekend – 21 million trips – the busiest weekend on British roads in years”.
Sir Ed also called for a 10% cut in rail fares and a £1 cap on bus fares, and continued: “On electric vehicles, our plan will make them cheaper to run, starting by cutting VAT on public charging, coupled with a review to bring down unfair network costs that drivers ultimately have to pay too.”
Elsewhere, the Lib Dem leader said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer must “step up” with plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
He said: “The Prime Minister needs to show an alternative.
“But, you know, I was listening to Donald Trump last night, and I actually agree with him on one thing.
“He’s incapable, he’s not smart enough to bring this to an end.
“And we’ve got to see an end to the fighting.”
Sir Ed suggested the Prime Minister should use “stronger language” against the US leader, adding: “He shouldn’t be given prizes and baubles as he insults our troops, insults our country, and wages his idiotic war.
“So yes, we should be stronger against this incumbent in the way that other leaders like (Canadian Prime Minister) Mark Carney and (French President Emmanuel) Macron have been.”
