There are two issues here that set my blood into a rolling boil, and that of many others: how can a bunch on ferry workers be allowed to disrupt the only practical route to the UK from the mainland, and apparently commit acts of criminal damage, without being rounded up by the authorities; and secondly, why are truck drivers and the companies they work for penalises because of Europe’s governments inability to solve the illegal immigrant problem?

Now I am not clever enough to offer an answer to the problem; I shall leave that to our public representatives who gained office by claiming to know the answer to life, the universe and everything.  But I do know it’s not the drivers’ fault.  They are being subjected to intolerable working conditions, their companies are having their profits destroyed, and then they are being prosecuted even if they become aware of a problem and alert the authorities themselves.  It’s nonsense!

The UK government has announced the building of a ‘safe’ area at Calais for trucks to keep the criminals out.  Thank you. About time.  But that’s just a sticking plaster on a gaping wound.  These ‘so called’ clever people need to think harder. 

One of the cornerstones of the European Union is the free movement of people.  It’s all very well that the principle exists, but if the means to move and the livelihood of those who do the moving is taken away by militants or government inaction, where is freedom then?

It strikes me that people power is a very strong force.  If the public decide that they have had enough, action usually follows pretty smartly.  But in the UK, unlike the French, we have a habit of putting up and shutting up.  I think it’s time to worm turned.

That’s why I am asking The Mover readers to send me their stories about making the 20-mile trip from Calais to Dover.  We will build a dossier and approach government on your behalf.  We will be adding our voices to those of other organisations that feel as strongly. I have no idea whether it will work.  What I am sure of, however, is that doing nothing will achieve nothing. Please email editor@themover.co.uk.

Steve Jordan
Editor