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'Our Thatcher moment'

'Our Thatcher moment'
Conservative MPs urged party members to stockpile fuel supplies to increase panic over fuel supplies and "humiliate" the unions, the Telegraph reports.

In a private message to members seen by the newspaper, MPs compared the current row to the fuel shortage in the 1980s, saying: "This is our Thatcher moment."

The union Unite's general secretary, Len McCluskey, accused the Conservatives of using the motorists as "pawns" in their "blame game". He called on the party to "come clean" over the suggestions arising from their messages to members.

Earlier today, the Government changed its advice to motorists, saying there is now "no urgent need" to top up on fuel after two days of panic buying.

Yesterday Unite ruled out any strike action over the Easter weekend, easing the burden on fuel supplies.

Labour have kept up the pressure on Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude, who suggested the public should store fuel in jerry cans, after a woman in York suffered severe burns decanting petrol in her kitchen.

The opposition MP John Mann told the BBC this morning that Mr Maude's comments were "inappropriate, dangerous and reckless" and called for David Cameron to replace him with someone "who is up to the job".

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