Opening speech from the Commercial Motor Show

I had the pleasure of opening the virtual Commercial Motor Show this morning. In case you are interested, here's my opening speech:

"Good morning, and welcome to the virtual Commercial Motor Show. Over the next three days we have a fantastic seminar programme for you, covering a broad variety of important topics. And please, don’t forget to browse the 80-plus exhibition stands, where you’ll be able to find out about all the latest products and services, without the need to wear a mask! But first, a few words from me.

Back in the dark days of March, when dried pasta was rarer than rocking horse manure and toilet paper was exchanging hands on eBay for ￡10 a roll, I had a worried call from my 80-year-old mum. 

She’d just walked around Sainsbury’s in despair, shocked to discover that all of the shelves were bare. “Are we all going to starve to death?” she asked, clearly very worried. If this was on her mind, then a lot of other people must have been just as concerned.

Fortunately, I was immediately able to put her mind at rest. I reminded her that the road transport industry kept Britain fed during two world wars, and it would do exactly the same now. I explained that the industry thrives on adversity, and that I had every faith that the drivers, transport planners, mechanics, dealers and everyone else involved in this amazing industry of ours, would pull together and save us. And, so they did!

And for once, both the British government and the public seemed to be grateful. Delivery drivers were recognised as key workers, and people even stood on motorway bridges waving in support of passing trucks. 

But, what short memories we all have. Six months later, and the trucks that represented a valuable lifeline for us all, have in some people’s minds, already reverted to being the slow, polluting, rolling roadblocks that they were before the pandemic started. But we can’t let this happen, and it’s up to all of us to prevent it. We need to seize this opportunity, and remind everyone just how important trucks are to society. Let’s inform them that in London, the tailpipe emissions from a modern truck are cleaner than the air we breathe. And let’s drum home the message that without trucks we’d all be hungry, naked and homeless. Play our cards right, and not only can we emerge from this pandemic with a better image, but we can turn it into a massive recruitment drive too. But we desperately need government help too. It’s no good telling our youngsters that transport is a great career choice, when the conditions that drivers encounter on a daily basis say otherwise. Drivers need to be treated with the respect that they deserve, and that starts with adequate facilities, including plentiful toilets and more safe and secure parking. 

OK, it’s time for me step off my soap box, and make way for our first guest speaker. I am delighted to introduce under-secretary of state in the Department for Transport, Baroness Vere."

The Commercial Motor Show is on for the next two days. In addition to numerous seminars, we have two exhibition halls packed with 80+ exhibitors. You can register for free here.