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AIBU?

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Original poster

‘Get ready for Brexit’? How exactly?

80 replies

Figmentofmyimagination · 18/09/2019 08:42

Everywhere, these creepy government-funded messages are popping up - full front page of this morning’s Metro paper, TV ads etc etc. How exactly are we, ordinary citizens, supposed to ‘get ready for Brexit’? Isn’t this just a heavy-handed way of drumming into those of us who still think that shooting yourself in the head as a nation is an incredibly poor idea that resistance is futile - getting us ‘mentally ready’? Are you ‘getting ready for Brexit’ and if so how?

OP posts:
BogglesGoggles · 18/09/2019 13:27

@BarbariansMum you should advise your parents to sort out naturalisation now. It will save them stress and prevent any issues if their country/EU doesn’t agree a reciprocal healthcare treaty.

Toomuchgoingon · 18/09/2019 13:34

With all the talk of EU passports etc, I would love to know how many of the population who have obtained their EU passports, voted to leave.

Pikapikachooo · 18/09/2019 13:37

Partner is applying to right to stay

Which is fucking ridiculous and only available for people with android devices Angry

Erm that’s all !? And most of my client and sales base is non EU

Pikapikachooo · 18/09/2019 13:38

How does one apply for EU passports

My kids are half EU , didn’t even realise I could get passports for two countries

Original poster
Figmentofmyimagination · 18/09/2019 13:39

I’m pretty sure that’s directed toward business/people with international connections of some sort.

No - it is directed at everyone. That's why it is on the front page of a free newspaper that usually covers XFactor wins etc, on normal prime time TV (I think it came on during Bake Off or similar?) and is a pop up for anyone using the Gov.UK website.

It encourages hoarding because most people are left scratching their heads wondering how they are supposed to "get ready" apart from buying food, moving their pension, if they have one, to a "safer" fund, sorting out prescription medicines etc etc.

It is seriously inappropriate to carpet bomb everyone with publicly funded adverts like these.

OP posts:
BarbariansMum · 18/09/2019 13:41

Thing is Boggles it may not reduce their stress at all. There was a story in the news this morning of a woman in their position (ie lived a d worked here for 50 years) who has just been awarded semi-permanent right to remain ie 5 years. Accompanied by a government spokesman saying that it was "deeply regrettable " when the system doesnt work as it should. I dont think that's what they need to hear right now.

Passthecherrycoke · 18/09/2019 13:44

I think you’re complaining for the sake of it tbh OP- I’m sure you’d be complaining if the government was ignoring it entirely and not acknowledging it with the public at all.

As a poster above said there is some quiz on gov.uk which potentially suggests things you need to do now for certain people- I assume applying for right to remain etc- and others are being told no action necessary but keep checking. It’s low key (snap chat? Some crap free paper? The radio) and cheap andwe all know there is nothing to tell us. But they can’t do nothing can they? They’re certainly not suggesting stockpiling

BarbedBloom · 18/09/2019 13:45

Well I saw my consultant yesterday who confirmed my RA drugs may be affected, so agreed to write me a prescription so I can keep a few extra just in case. I am also buying a few extra tins every shop now.

People who don't want to do this and insist all will be fine are welcome to that opinion, but I would rather have a bit extra just in case. If I do run out of medication I won't be able to get to the shops anyway as I will likely end up bed bound.

VenusClapTrap · 18/09/2019 13:47

How does one apply for EU passports. My kids are half EU , didn’t even realise I could get passports for two countries

Contact the relevant consulate for advice. The rules vary depending on the individual country.

Mummyoflittledragon · 18/09/2019 13:50

Toomuch
I imagine a fair few. I didn’t btw.

Pika
Not all European countries allow dual nationality. I am lucky dh is from a country, which does. As advised, yes, contact the consulate.

Original poster
Figmentofmyimagination · 18/09/2019 13:50

Hey passthecoke I am not ‘complaining for the sake of complaining’. Ha ha. Maybe you are used to living in a country where governments behave like this but for most sane people it is unnerving.

OP posts:
Original poster
Figmentofmyimagination · 18/09/2019 13:55

Nothing happens by accident in this gov. This is propaganda, with Cummings finger prints all over it.

OP posts:
Passthecherrycoke · 18/09/2019 14:00

Eh? Of course it’s not by accident. No one accidentally commissioned some cheap crap ad campaign, no one accidentally changed the message on gantries, no
One accidentally put an “are you affected” quiz on the governments main website. There isn’t much else they can do (apart from commission an expensive ad campaign to tell us very little)

derxa · 18/09/2019 14:07

I've signed up for gov email alerts to prepare for business changes.

Basecamp65 · 18/09/2019 14:10

I drive around the country all day and it is very noticeable that the roads that lead to major ports - like the A14 - all have signs up for miles about making sure people are prepared because of the need for new papers for the border crossing.

On Nov 1st we will all wake up and nothing will have changed - some people may get delays at the border but that will be it. The problems and benefits will only become apparent over time.

Its not the adverts that are starting to put the wind up me but the extensive amount of military activity - far more movement of troops and aircraft than I have ever seen before. I know i am in East Anglia where there are a lot of air bases but I have seen 9 military convoys on the roads including tanks this week and that's probably more than I have seen in the last decade put together. I'm telling myself its all the visiting military from our allies going home before any potential border delays - but someone else asked me if I had noticed the increase this morning - they had really noticed it too and it was unnerving them as well. Lots of innocent explanations for it happening I know but it has raised my levels of nerves a bit!

reluctantbrit · 18/09/2019 14:16

We start again - because we ate most of the provisions we bought for end of March - buying items which come definitely from abroad like Bonne Maman Jam, rice, tomato products, certain biscuits, chocolate and wine. The problem is that even if a product is actually produced here the ingredients may have to be imported like Cocoa beans.

I will hoard flour, sugar, other basic baking ingredients plus more chocolate.

Couple of tins of pineapple, freezer full of peas and sweet corn.

DH and i have British passports now, still need to see if DD gets hers renewed and we need to get proof of her British Citizenships which seem to be a disaster as there are no proper processes for the children born of EU nationals after 2006.

Brefugee · 18/09/2019 14:17

It’s low key (snap chat? Some crap free paper? The radio)

It was on during Bake Off - not sure of the viewing figures but that's not low-key.

PP suggested firms "adjust their supply chains" - if they haven't got that done and dusted now, good luck to them. But it seems the EU has agreed to give a 3 month extension if Johnson asks for one. So it might not happen until 31st December.

MidnightMystery · 18/09/2019 14:28

I have no idea Blush

Flyinggeese · 18/09/2019 14:41

OP again, have you actually read past the headline? 'people are left scratching their heads wondering how they are supposed to "get ready". Not really - just read the guidance (not just the headline) - it's primarily aimed at busiess - you'll see - just read it - it sounds very much like you haven't!

Original poster
Figmentofmyimagination · 18/09/2019 14:53

just read it - it sounds very much like you haven't!

Actually I have. Duh.

But TBH Flying Geese, the point of these ads is simply to spell it out to all of us that "Britain will leave the EU on 31 October 2019". It's "Brexit do or die".

Someone picking up their Metro on the train etc isn't supposed to notice the existence of some boring government guidance and go off and seek it out. They are just supposed to get on message and give up hoping that we might somehow still manage to swerve this mess, as if by some miracle.

OP posts:
Flyinggeese · 18/09/2019 15:00

OP precisely which part of what you've read suggests panic buying food etc?

I can't get any hint from what you've said that you've read anything other than the headline!

HOWEVER totally agree the overall message is that it's happening and no mistake! Great...

ScrommidgeClaryAndSpunt · 18/09/2019 15:07

Ooh, well reminded, OP. Need to put an order in for Union Jack bunting and John Bull costumes for the kids.

leaserspottedmummybird · 18/09/2019 15:09

I haven't really been stockpiling but I do have a decent store cupboard. All my dc also have EU passports and I'm struggling with the idea of updating their British passports or not (they're expensive)

SerendipityJane · 18/09/2019 15:36

I'm prepared.

‘Get ready for Brexit’? How exactly?
DarkAtEndOfUK · 18/09/2019 15:44

What I don't get is why we are getting all this in the first place. It's all very similar to the wartime 'dig for victory' and other homefront. But we're not at war. We don't need to do this. Why??