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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think the petrol 'crisis' was conspiracy?

94 replies

Window1 · 27/09/2021 06:57

Ok this couple we'll be so far fetched that I truly am being unreasonable to even think it, but .....

Is there any chance that the media coverage regarding the petrol supplies was some kind of collusion/conspiracy to make us all panic buy and be concerned about where our next lot of fuel is coming from, so the government can swoop in and save the day with thousands of visas for drivers from other countries?

Rather than them having to communicate the same intention regarding visas but with their tail between their legs following brexit?

Ok go?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Window1 · 27/09/2021 06:57

@Window1

Ok this couple we'll be so far fetched that I truly am being unreasonable to even think it, but .....

Is there any chance that the media coverage regarding the petrol supplies was some kind of collusion/conspiracy to make us all panic buy and be concerned about where our next lot of fuel is coming from, so the government can swoop in and save the day with thousands of visas for drivers from other countries?

Rather than them having to communicate the same intention regarding visas but with their tail between their legs following brexit?

Ok go?!

Could be
OP posts:
PersonaNonGarter · 27/09/2021 06:58

Or could be not.

Soyouthought · 27/09/2021 06:59

Confused are you answering your own post?

Aprilx · 27/09/2021 06:59

No don’t be ridiculous. This has done the government no favours.

Aprilx · 27/09/2021 07:00

@Soyouthought

Confused are you answering your own post?
I thought that too. 😄 Then I thought maybe OP was changing the “was” in the title to “could be”.
Reallybadidea · 27/09/2021 07:00

OK no.

fluffyegg · 27/09/2021 07:00

I Wouldn't be surprised if they did this , it just gets worse doesn't it ?!

hellcatspangle · 27/09/2021 07:01

I wouldn't put anything past this government tbh

Original poster
Window1 · 27/09/2021 07:01

@Soyouthought

Confused are you answering your own post?
No sorry I was correcting a couple of word mistakes in my first sentence.
OP posts:
NoNotHimTheOtherOne · 27/09/2021 07:01

are you answering your own post?

She's correcting her own typo.

dangerrabbit · 27/09/2021 07:02

Nothing would surprise me with this government. Although I'd think they (in collusion with the media) were using it to distract from some other issue (maybe unreported).

JenniferAllisonPhillipaSue · 27/09/2021 07:03

I was watching to see what bad political news they would bury during this "crisis". At the very least, the media outlets have gone quieter about the end of the £20 UC top-up and the return to 20% VAT on hospitality.

Porridgealert · 27/09/2021 07:04

No.

SquareYellow · 27/09/2021 07:04

Sounds plausible to me

EdgeOfTheSky · 27/09/2021 07:05

No.

Because to any sensible person, solving a problem before it hits crisis level looks more competent than waiting til the shit has hit the fan.

Plus this weekend’s debacle can justifiably be part blamed on the public.

PicsInRed · 27/09/2021 07:05

That OP, definitely, and also we aren't talking about Andrew anymore are we?

Classic Yes Minister stuff.

EdgeOfTheSky · 27/09/2021 07:09

Anyway, let’s see whether E European drivers want to come and work here.

The Gvt and Brexiteer press keep on and in about it not being a Brexit issue because there is also a driver shortage in Europe.

So if there are jobs in mainland Europe surely the drivers who live there will prefer to work there where conditions are much better for drivers, they won’t have a heap of red tape to deal with, and they won’t be evicted at the end of the job when the money runs out.

EdgeOfTheSky · 27/09/2021 07:10

Sorry, when the visa runs out.

Nightlystroll · 27/09/2021 07:12

I don't think the govt is involved at all but there is a theory that BP instituted this crisis to put pressure on the govt to loosen the visa rules. After all, there was no concern about petrol until BP made their announcement. That's several levels of planning, though. Is BP really capable of doing that?

roadwarrior · 27/09/2021 07:13

I think you're giving too much credit to the government. They're not that smart. They're actually kind of dim.

Buttetflybookkeeper · 27/09/2021 07:17

It's interesting because we live near Stanlow which according to media reports this weekend is on the brink of collapse (financial, not physical thank god!). But in an interview with Essar (who own it) they say they just need to renegotiate their VAT bill after deferring it. Like lots of other businesses are doing currently. So that comes across as media scare mongering.

This is also at a time when we're being encouraged to opt into other fuel and energy alternatives. How many people are thinking 'Shit, maybe I do need an electric car now'?

Porridgealert · 27/09/2021 07:18

@EdgeOfTheSky. I guess it depends on the nationality. There are still countries where a moderate wage in the UK is better than a good wage in their own country. And if there are shortages in their own country as you say, they'll easy pick up a job when they eventually go home. But the strong likelihood is that any driver that comes here will be needed for quite a long time so future prospects would seem to be good. I should think there will be those who are happy to take a chance at that. It'll be interesting to see.

TheQueef · 27/09/2021 07:20

One pissed off bloke wobbled his gob to the media about a tiny issue with the drivers for one company (BP) and we did the rest.
This one is firmly at our door.
(And no I don't blame the media, many people managed not to panic buy or buy double)

AnnaMagnani · 27/09/2021 07:25

OK No.

There are a lot explanations out there about the driver shortage being Europe wide, working conditions for drivers being far nicer in countries such as France and Italy plus the visas are for a whole 3(!) months.

Let's see how many drivers actually want to come back.

We did this ourselves just like the toilet rolls.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 27/09/2021 07:26

Yes, like the Great Toilet Roll Debacle of 2020.

That was orchestrated by the World Governments to try and 'flush' out those people with chronic diarrhea as that can be an indicator of Covid-19 Hmm

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