IT usually pays to quit while you're ahead. The activists in fuel protest lobby were way ahead in terms of public support when they called off their blockades in September.

In the space of a few days they brought a stubborn Government to its senses; highlighted the need for a cut in fuel prices; and put the plight of the farming and haulage industry in the spotlight.

They did so without antagonising the public or the police, and without causing any significant harm to public services or the economy.

By lifting the blockades when they did they achieved a remarkable victory, and inflicted a humiliating blow to ministers.

In the subsequent 60 days the hard-liners have managed to turn victory into defeat; public support into public enmity.

The implicit threat to re-impose disruption if they were not satisfied with Government action was a heavy-handed tactic guaranteed to dilute popular support.

Their attempt to replicate the Jarrow Crusade with the convoy from the North-East to London over the next few days was also guaranteed to dilute popular support, particularly in a region like ours where the 1936 march evokes revered passions and memories.

The self-proclaimed People's Fuel Lobby now finds itself out-of-touch with the people it claims to represent.

In the space of 60 days it has gone from a movement attracting widespread support from a cross-section of society into a narrow-minded militant self-interest group.

Those making the journey to London may think a 26p a litre cut in fuel is a sensible demand. But the British public thinks it is in the realms of cloud cuckoo land.

Those making the journey may think the Chancellor did not make enough concessions to the fuel lobby during his pre-Budget statement. The public thinks he went as far as could be reasonably expected.

By pursuing their campaign of direct action the protestors are undermining the good work they achieved in September.

Sixty days ago their action gave them the moral high ground. Persisting with today's direct action will destroy that position of strength and will not help their cause for cheaper fuel one iota.