Thread 16 Trussterfuck, big dog the aftermath

[DuncinToffee]

Welcome to the growing Anti Growth Coalition

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www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4642127-thread-15-big-dog-has-been-rehomed-but-we-still-need-a-poop-scooper

Ministers have budgeted more than £930m on buying advertising space in an effort to sell government policies in the lead-up to the next election, analysis has revealed.

Two key departments involved in the growth plan drawn up by Truss and the chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, will get significantly increased media-buying budgets. At the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, budgets will increase almost fourfold from £9.65m to £36m. Spending at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will rise by up to 361.5%, from £4.7m to £21.6m.

amp.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/03/ministers-given-930m-to-spend-on-advertising-space-to-tout-policies

@Notonthestairs see I think that’s a monumental waste of money. Just debate your policies clearly in parliament and the media reports on it for free!

That’s useless propaganda over something that could sway the zeitgeist for the good of the environment and individual finances.

In my view Government blocked the energy campaign simply because they knew it would be shown alongside footage of Truss's statements at hustings that there wouldn't be any energy rationing this winter.

They are protecting Truss not the country.

From August -

"Liz Truss has pledged that there would be no energy rationing if she were to become prime minister next week - while rival Rishi Sunak warned "we shouldn't rule anything out".

news.sky.com/story/amp/liz-truss-promises-no-energy-rationing-but-rishi-sunak-warns-we-shouldnt-rule-anything-out-in-last-hustings-of-tory-leadership-campaign-12686393

I think campaigns are necessary in certain circumstances - health issues mainly, & tax changes.

I think energy use would benefit from additional messaging - your bills aren't capped! Some posters on MN are already minimising the impact of 3 hour rolling rationing - not everyone will be able to plonk themselves down with a blanket and an iPad loaded with Netflix.

I think they will have to run information campaigns eventually - but it will be when things are already dicey and therefore too late to have a reasonable opportunity to have an impact.

I think you might be right. Just in time to contribute to panic rather than an instilled expectation of the possibility.

A lot of people don’t seem to understand the possibilities on the horizon. I don’t seek out Martin Lewis historically, but he’s been offered more exposure in some quarters where I do actively seek news and information and I’ve listened to him. There are a lot of people who just don’t routinely do that, especially at the moment following the turmoil of recent years. Anecdotally I’ve noticed a lot of people actively avoiding news for the sake of their own health, I’ve done it myself for short periods, but it does put you at a disadvantage.

It is possible of course that Sunak and Truss were actually the best candidates available within the parliamentary Tory party...

Energy saving public information campaign is already up and running here in Sweden. Everyone I know is already taking steps to reduce usage.

Totally agree.

That's a good point about protecting herself after promises of no rationing rather than other motives.

But I do think you'd have to be living in a cave to not know the potential.

It's like covid. We could see it coming before it did due to media campaigning.

The biggest problem I think with media messaging is not that it isn't there but because it's so partisan and some is so sensationalist people tend not to believe it or believe it's entirety.

What I'm interested in is if we need to have blackouts what time of day that will happen.

Are we talking evenings and weekends. During midday?

It's when it's happens that's dependent on the effect it has.

Media reporting that should say.

From the perspective of the same members who though BJ was a stand up guy… with the benefit of hindsight there was only a tiny chance of their members having the ability for self evaluation and considering their choice.

I (as a non-Tory) could definitely see the potential of some of their earlier candidates to turn things around and follow a more traditional conservative ethos.

Re: blackouts, if it does happen we’ll see restrictions in industry first. That’ll be the warning with an obvious economic impact. If it does filter down to domestic settings it’d have to be during times of heavy usage to make a difference I would have thought:

The biggest problem I think with media messaging is not that it isn't there but because it's so partisan and some is so sensationalist people tend not to believe it or believe it's entirety

I agree, but that’s where the effectiveness of a gentler, early campaign can make a difference. The percentage of people who do make the choice (whilst it’s still a choice) to make changes can be instrumental in averting issues. More urgent, panicked and time sensitive campaigns entrenches views like the ones you highlighted.

Ideally I’d like to have more education about the importance of keeping up to date with current affairs and critical thinking but that’s unlikely when our politics relies on those being poor.

Black outs are most likely

Weekdays between 4 and 7 ... peak usage

When the day is gloomy and still and cold ... renewable energy low

My concern is that my reading of the papers is that to do controlled black outs - day ahead notice etc - for residential required government sign off

If they don't get that we will end up with uncontrolled blackouts which will cause far more damage and disruption

It’s quite sobering to realise that one of my concerns about blackouts is the limitations in accessing media and information. Imagine what this lot could get up to.

I do think some sort of energy-saving campaign would be a good thing and I believe that other European governments are actively doing such.

But I don't get how it would cost £15m. Unless of course some Tory-chum had been given the task and there was money to be made. Again.

That was my concern it would be early evening.

Would that mean things such as sports clubs and leisure centres closing during this time? The longer term impacts of that so close to covid could prove so detrimental to public health.

Not to mention peak commuting time and increased risks of travel.

£15 million for a well thought out campaign to reduce energy usage using all forms of media including social media would probably be money well spent, especially as so many seem to be clueless despite the current amount of freely available advice.

I wonder if any of the proposed ‘heat banks’ or community spaces would still be supplied with power? I would guess not but there does seem to be an argument for planning for those things ahead of time rather than in haste when problems become apparent…

oh for a proactive rather than reactive government…

I suspect those community heat banks will run limited hours in the day time.

I'm frustrated because I think it's another example of the Government nannying the public. We can't have a blunt conversation about concerns, trade offs and choices. I don't know whether they just underestimate people or they view issues entirely on the basis of whether it might damage their brand.

That said I'm sure they are throwing the kitchen at limiting any impact. £15 million on campaigns will be chicken feed in comparison with those costs.

What we really need is a three word slogan, that normally works.

Dark is cool!
or
Cold is fun!
or
Dark, deep freeze?

Where do I claim my £15million?

Hold the heck on @jgw1, I’ve got a bid too!

Cut energy for the community
Heat hinders hospitals
Hat, scarfs, gloves (super simple message)

They will probably hire Wim Hoff to explain how the cold is empowering and to embrace it
Ok if your young and fit , not so much for the elderly or disabled

Shivers save lives?

Weyhey, hats scarves, gloves inside.

Nicola Sturgeon has also said recently that she doesn't think blackouts are likely!