Protest farmer to fight Mandelson
5 February 2001
Protest farmer to fight Mandelson
By FWi staff
A FARMER who led fuel protests last year is to take on Peter Mandelson in the General Election.
Andrew Spence, 33, is to fight for the former Northern Ireland secretarys seat in Hartlepool, reports the Anonova website.
Mr Spence, who runs a haulage business from his farm in Consett, County Durham, would not say which party he will represent.
But he told Ananova that other fuel protesters would stand elsewhere and that farmers and truckers aim to cause “maximum disruption”.
Meanwhile, fellow farmer and fuel-protest leader Brynle Williams has warned of further direct action if the Government fails to act over the price of fuel.
The north Wales producer told Ananova that 40 “key figures” behind Septembers action gathered in St Asaph, Clwyd, last week to discuss plans.
Mr Williams, who travels to London for talks with transport minister Lord Macdonald on 14 February, warned that fuel protesters were not going away.