VAGUE political party policies are leaving fleet managers in the dark over future transport decisions and are jeopardising business planning in the run-up to the May 1 general election.

This week's publication of manifestos from the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democratic Parties all stress the importance of environmental issues and public transport. But they all make 'grand promises and carry little substance', according to David Knight, managing director of PHH Vehicle Management Services.

Knight said: 'The risk is that behind these vague aims lie sweeping tax changes that could have a dramatic impact on fleet policy. We are urging all the parties to come clean so that people can make business decisions based on facts not fantasies. All the manifestos reinforce the results of PHH research last year that showed there is a general political move in favour of smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. The question about taxation changes is not if or which party but when and by how much.'