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 💙 (@DeborahMeaden) September 27, 2021
I see Iain Duncan Smith is under the impression that anyone takes him seriously and doesn't remember his combover.
— Louis Barfe (@AlanKelloggs) September 27, 2021
— Martin James 🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺🔸💙 (@MartinJTelf) September 26, 2021
The game is up. Boy are you ppl in trouble!
— Siob, Princess of Yorkshire 💙#FBPE #FBR (@Sillyshib) September 26, 2021
I think the 'bureaucrats' may have a different view to yours pic.twitter.com/wR8bXe6RZB
— aalyta4192💙 (@aalyta4192) September 26, 2021
You were warned. For years. You did nothing to prepare.
— Lee (@politicabot) September 26, 2021
The chief of the Road Hauliers Association wrote to you government months ago to warn of the shortage of HGV drivers. Government did nothing. The bureaucracy is your government's lack of it or it's in such a muddle it's unusable.
— Danceywoman (@jazzaoxon) September 26, 2021
Every single thing has to be sacrificed in order to protect the Sacred Brexit.
— Theferäl (@theferaltweets) September 26, 2021
No one believes this nonsense. Brexit exacerbated an existing problem. Brexiters made no effort to deal with the problem before ploughing ahead, or even to raise awareness of it. In fact, you denied Brexit would cause any problems at all. This is all on you.
— Paul Carnahan (@pacarnahan) September 26, 2021
Brexit is unquestionably one of the reasons, to exclude it from the many reasons makes you just look guilty of covering up your own mistakes. Also how would lifting immigration restrictions help if Brexit isn’t part of the problem.
— Chris 'Haggis' Bruce (@Chris_I_Bruce) September 26, 2021
As long as Iain Duncan Smith is treated as an authority on anything except dishonest CV’s & fake testimonials, the country will continue to punch itself in the face on a daily basis.
— James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) September 27, 2021
With empty shelves in food shops, Iain Duncan Smith decides to take a packed lunch to work. pic.twitter.com/9St7zEAzW9
— Parody Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson_MP) September 27, 2021
Once again, Sir Iain’s comments appear to serve no benefit, which is fitting for the former work and pensions secretary.
