The U.K. is prepared for nothing

Have you heard James Rebanks talking to Amol Rajan on Radical (Radio 4)?

Farming has real problems, the subsidies are all wrong according to Rebanks (who sounded very sensible), we don't grow enough food and the supermarkets only have a couple of days' reserves.

If disaster does strike we'll probably all starve to death.

We used to be.
This is something that has annoyed DH for many years, the fact that we have no 'planned maintenance' so that that infrastructure etc is allowed to get into a poor state before a cheap fix and that there seems to be no Government disaster plan or co-ordinstion ready to action.

Septimia no, I haven't heard it, it sounds interesting but that sounds about right.

I'm usually a cup half full person but am becoming more pessimistic the more I read and hear. ☹

You are very right about the lack of expertise and criticism.

One of the lessons I've learnt as I got older was that a very high percentage of people aren't "truth seekers". What they do is look for the most popular opinion about something - and say that it's theirs too. Part of the "route to the top" in our society and America too certainly is to find out what the popular opinion on something is/who has the sharpest elbows to elbow their way to the top and say "Yep I agree with them".

Cue for it's often not the most expert people/the most objective people/certainly not the most responsible and nice people and that want to make a difference that "get to the top" and most peoples basic concern once they get there is to listen to those they perceive as in charge and the lobbyists etc and try and make their own personal fortunes foremost in their mind. Not seeking to do a good objective job of things and be remembered as a genuinely good person.

Yep....I'd long gathered that supermarkets do indeed work on only having in 3 days worth of stocks - all those "just in time" deliveries. That's why there was stock problems in Lockdown - ie because of not that much in stock combined with some people knowing there's not much in stock and grabbing for loads so they personally were okay.

That's why I do my tiny little bit of growing some food in my garden myself and doing what little bit of encouraging local food initiatives I can. Because I believe we need this...

This is such a dangerous time

Climate
Russia
AI
The rise of Fascism
Future epidemics

I think America is a bigger threat than Russia. It was years back now that I read the rollcall of just how many wars America starts or backs - it was a long list....and they certainly seem to be "prime suspect" for creating trouble in the Middle East for sure.

They use us too as their "aircraft carrier" - remembering how we had to get rid of their Cruise missiles off our soil and we've still got some of their military bases here.

I’m not pessimistic tbh, but I do think that the U.K. should be much more prepared than it currently is, particularly after listening to the covid report.

It is clear that having a buffoon as PM, a government who appeared to understand nothing except how to profit from the disaster, amateurish civil service and even medical experts getting it so wrong, that we need a total rethink about the way we approach threats to the U.K. in all its forms.

'Strategic Planning,' lack of, is held responsible for the broken NHS.
[I would say my own experience and that of various friends is different; appointment with doctor, swift referral and prompt action.]
The fault apparently for our unpreparedness is the lack of expertise and criticism, both by the opposition and media.

And the present government?

I am not being party political - what I mean is that government/parliament/military/civil service etc are all too complacent.

There is a ridiculous opinion - as there was during covid - that the U.K. is the best. Whereas in fact we were far from it and should learn from this feeling of superiority.

I agree on that one - ie we shouldnt automatically assume we are the best. So often I see some idea another country has come up with and think "Why don't they send a person/people over there to study that and see how well it would work for us?". We should look for the best of the best - and then copy them (assuming what it is will work in our society too). No just assuming "We're it - because we're Britain". Sometimes we are - but then again sometimes we're not....

Someone somewhere on another thread about covid I think said, "hidhsight is a wonderful thing".

Well yes.

But foresight is what we need.

The word seems to have all but gone out of fashion!

Even I , and many of my friends, could see the covid disater coming a mile off. Even has long as two months before Boris acted.
Even him being a buffoon, where was all his advisors?
Or did they advise and he did nothing?

Some people are saying there will be a financial crash.

I dont know for sure.

But will it be again a case of "hindsight is a wonderful thing"?

medical experts getting it so wrong

That was one of the worst aspects.

I think that the powers that be are only interested in the short term. How can we give enough sops to the electorate so they will vote us in next time? Most seem to be only interested in self promotion and enrichment. I also think the perpetual quest for growth is ridiculous. The planet and it's resources are finite and we need to recognise it and act accordingly.

A lot seem to be selling shares. Do they know something we don’t ? I have a nasty suspicion about this.

Cadenza123

I think that the powers that be are only interested in the short term. How can we give enough sops to the electorate so they will vote us in next time? Most seem to be only interested in self promotion and enrichment. I also think the perpetual quest for growth is ridiculous. The planet and it's resources are finite and we need to recognise it and act accordingly.

We certainly can’t keep up with public spending without growth, in addition we are paying too much in loan interest, as individuals as well as government, that is increasing the wealth gap.

Every time we pay rent, or mortgage or credit card we are paying someone who is already wealthy.

Flooding is another prime example. I was reading recently that in the next 20 years we can expect to lose much of our coastline but I never see it being discussed anywhere apart from a few science articles. Apart from coastal erosion more and more areas inland are now flooding regularly but I haven't seen any discussion about that either. Even the Thames barrier is apparently at risk now.

My wife and I got back from a holiday in Malaysia after Covid had begun in Asia. The Malaysians took it very seriously and were acting rapidly. Every time we entered a hotel or other major building we were "shot" with a device that registered our temperature. We were only allowed in if our temperature was normal.
We got off the plane at Heathrow and were given a rather insulting piece of paper telling us to warn our country of origin should we develop any symptoms. That was all it said. Nothing about telling our GP etc. And Malaysia was doing a good deal more than we were!

I don’t really think we are prepared for much over in Australia, either. We could probably provide food for ourselves, being so big and we have raw materials so long as other countries buy them. We don’t seem capable of processing things ourselves. As for defence - well that’s a joke but there is so much Chinese investment that might protect us I suppose. We have no car industry now.

nanna8

A lot seem to be selling shares. Do they know something we don’t ? I have a nasty suspicion about this.

They are taking their profit after a very long “Bull”market a friend who plays the market said he sold all his shares last week.
Nobody knows for certain what comes next

Liquidising one’s assets before a predicted harsh budget next week.

About the flooding Ambergran, one simple thing would be to ban all housing construction on flood plains.

nanna8

I don’t really think we are prepared for much over in Australia, either. We could probably provide food for ourselves, being so big and we have raw materials so long as other countries buy them. We don’t seem capable of processing things ourselves. As for defence - well that’s a joke but there is so much Chinese investment that might protect us I suppose. We have no car industry now.

Australia does produce most of its own food and imports little in comparison with the UK. As you export quite a lot as well, you could become self-sufficient if only the supply chains were improved. This year's floods caused supply problems resulting in empty shelves in many supermarkets, except for the supermarket chain which buys local produce (IGA).

The UK imports a lot more of its food and we need to be more supportive of our farmers here.

Foresight, not hindsight, is a wonderful thing.

Maremia

About the flooding Ambergran, one simple thing would be to ban all housing construction on flood plains.

We know that Maremia!

Why don't Planning Authorities?

David49

nanna8

A lot seem to be selling shares. Do they know something we don’t ? I have a nasty suspicion about this.

They are taking their profit after a very long “Bull”market a friend who plays the market said he sold all his shares last week.
Nobody knows for certain what comes next

If everyone sells their shares in expectation of a bear market a crash will be inevitable.

Studying the stock market crash of the 1920s would be enlightening.