Nearly half of Britain's motorists blame the government for surging fuel costs despite Gordon Brown's attempts to champion their cause with high-profile lobbying of the world's oil producers.

As the cost of a barrel of oil rose towards last week's record highs, an AA/Populus poll revealed 49% of motorists blamed the government for soaring prices.

About 22% pointed the finger at oil producing countries, 20% accused oil companies and 8% were undecided. No one blamed petrol stations.

Two-thirds of motorists said they would vote for a different government if fuel rose to between £1.25 and £1. ... Read full article