Exactly - Back in 1997-99, the dollar to pound was around $1:1.5 pounds(1.7 in '99). Gas was also around and approaching 4 pounds/gallon over there then (so well over $5 US then!) However, it has and probably always will be much more expensive as you said due to higher gov't tax. Remember though, you want Nationalized healthcare and such that has to come from somewhere! There's a reason why there's a 40% VAT (Value Added Tax) on everything over there! BTW - I was paying $1.69/gallon (no foreign VAT) for the same gas that was over $4.00 on the other side of the fence!