It has been said of the English that they prefer pets to people; but perhaps they prefer petrol to people. A cynical observation perhaps, but as the Lords prepares to sound the death knell for civil legal aid, a peak at No 10’s e-petitions website is instructive. Over 110,000 signed a petition opposing January’s 3p a litre fuel rise, while at press time more than 80 Tory MPs were expected to rebel over the measure.

Contrast this with the 1,500 people who signed a petition opposing the civil legal aid reforms, and the steamrollering of the bill implementing the cuts through the Commons.

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Opinion | Law Gazette