To wonder what would it actually take to cause civil unrest in the UK

[Frenchfancy]

Why aren't people angrier about Brexit? Why have there been no riots? Is it because the part of society that are more likely to root want Brexit and the rest of us are too polite.

I live in France where we have been having weekly riots for the past few months because people are a bit upset they haven't got enough money. Yet in the UK not a single window has been smashed.

I'm not saying rioting is a good thing, I'm just wondering why other in other countries people get angry enough to riot but in the UK they don't.

Because too many stupid people don't understand the bigger consequences

I think the march on Saturday might dissolve into chaos, but I might be alone in that.
I've wondered the same thing myself so I'm watching this thread with interest.

Nice to know I'm not alone in wondering.

It's partly a cultural thing - the French have always protested at the drop of a hat. Look at the revolutions, the May 68 barricades, the Gilets Jaunes, even the tradition of burning cars to celebrate new year. The British just rarely do that very much.

Because what is blocking the streets rioting and smashing windows (and damaging someone elses businesses) going to achieve? How is that going to stop brexit?

Why riot about something that people had the opportunity to vote for?..this is the result of a vote...not everyone agrees with it of course, but that's the result of living in a free country with democracy, you get a vote, and it may not always go your way but that's life

Nah it'll be the saturday after when the shop sells out of bread and milk judging by any scottish snowstorm ever!

I’m worried about the March on Saturday too. I know the last one was brilliant from an atmosphere/behaviour point of view, but it’s sooooo close to the wire now, and I think people are getting angrier.

Because for all the strong opinions, no one really knows what is right and everyone is only too aware that their friends family neighbours all have different opinions. I can't exactly riot for something my DH would riot against.

There isn’t cultural precedent.

When we get martial law curfews and petrol rationing

Many people have quite a shock coming

The French are renowned for it. The British? Why, golly gosh, what a notion! British people are accustomed to be on the winning side, so they have never had to revolt. This is new territory for them. Plus they're ever so proper, have an aggressive police force, and it just wouldn't be worth it.

SurgeHopper - so if they were brighter, they would be rioting ?

Because the government is being very clever and stalling so both sides think they have a chance of winning whilst they quietly put in place measures to minimise the fallout each way

I’m worried about the March on Saturday too.
I'm not

We should be angry because the vote wasn't fair and wasn't just. Because the future of the UK has been decided by how rich the people who wanted to leave were and what lies they told.

The UK does have a history of protests, look at the minors strike, greenham common, the poll tax.

We had riots not too long ago. Look how that turned out.

Because 50% voted to leave. So fighting and riots would be 50% v 50%. Normally people riot against the authority.

@Frenchfancy They were all things that affected the poor. This one affects the rich.

The French protest; the English sign petitions and raise £7.63 towards the cause on GoFundMe.

There were riots in Tottenham. So British people are capable of rioting.
You have to realise that Remainers are not from Tottenham. Their hobby is cycling.

I think it’s ingrained in the culture not to ‘make a fuss’. Stiff upper lip and all that.

You see evidence of it more in racist/mysoginistic/bullying contexts but you’re more likely to hear a Brit launching into a ten minute whinge onLBC than chuck a shitbomb at the Houses of Parliament.

Duh a tea shortage!

There is no way there will be riots over Brexit, not at this stage anyway. There are many more years of Brexit ahead of us, whatever happens.

I was on the train with a load of protestors heading into London for the last big march. Every one of them was a middle class Waitrose shopper type. Absolutely not the sort to riot!

But if we have no deal and there are proper, sustained shortages, then low-level unrest could be possible.

Maybe when they run out of strawberries for the Pimms?

Petrol and food shortages caused by a No Deal situation could trigger it. Especially as a lot of people don't seem to realise No Deal almost certainly will lead to those things.