MIKE RUTHERFORD

GOODBYE and good riddance to the brutal, bleak, politically shambolic winter just gone. Hello and welcome to the warmer, lighter, generally safer spring and summer ahead of us.

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The next six months should be the best, easiest and most enjoyable of the year for driving. But don't forget, we and our passengers of voting age are circa 50 million-strong. To say that we have collective, but under-utilised political clout is a huge understatement.

So in addition to preparing your existing car - or even buying or leasing a new one - for the spring/summer, get ready for imminent local elections in parts of Britain and even the possibility of a General Election ahead of the scheduled cutoff point in 2029. Ballot boxes provide beleaguered, ripped-off car users with their best chance to tell politicians how badly they feel they've been treated, and what they'll be demanding in the near future.