And political effects

So in the end nothing has changed. In Britain, in the 21st century, oil-based fuels remain the most basic factor in the means of production. It is staggering how quickly a fuel crisis has developed and how the country could, in the course of the next few hours, start grinding to a halt. This could be the defining moment in the history of this government. The events of the next 24-48 hours could become New Labour's Black Wednesday.
Ian Selby

• Why is it that those in power cannot understand that fuel at these sorts of prices makes every product or service we buy dearer. Although I've been a union member for years, my vote next time will go to the party that reduces fuel prices - and keeps them down. Many people who voted Labour in, like me, are still the low paid, unlike chancellor Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. I want the pound in my pocket to do a bit more than pay for a litre of fuel.
Norman Meyer
Goole

• Not content with wasting millions on the Millennium Dome, the government is now self-destructing as it takes on the whole country over fuel prices and taxation. It cannot win and should call a general election this autumn to allow the electorate to decide who should be running the country.
MD Packer
Birmingham

• Am I the only one to see similarities between the current petrol crisis and the power-workers' strike in the film of Chris Mullin's book, A Very British Coup?
AJ Vaughan
Rochford, Essex

London