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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is the UK about to collapse?

778 replies

Penfield · 07/10/2021 14:20

Sorry - There was probably a better way to put this.

Does anyone else have a feeling that we are close to some collapse, explosion, disintegration of society ...

With gas prices, petrol shortages, inflation, Brexit fall out, Covid, gaslighting government etc

I feel like we're on the edge of something - big ...

OP posts:
JulesRimetStillGleaming · 07/10/2021 22:11

No.

When Facebook went down it was bliss. We as a society can adapt whatever is thrown at us. As long as we're not selfish and make sure the most vulnerable get what they need as they will be hit hardest.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 07/10/2021 22:12

Yes but Terese Coffey is having the time of her life, so all good

julieca · 07/10/2021 22:12

@dreamingbohemian yes that is true! Although when there was a local power cut, shops near me a few years ago still took cash and wrote down on paper how much had been taken.
Of course anyone without cash couldn't buy anything.

julieca · 07/10/2021 22:13

@JulesRimetStillGleaming

No.

When Facebook went down it was bliss. We as a society can adapt whatever is thrown at us. As long as we're not selfish and make sure the most vulnerable get what they need as they will be hit hardest.

I don't understand this point of view. You are an adult. If you don't like facebook just don't go on it.
Pythonista · 07/10/2021 22:15

@JulesRimetStillGleaming

No.

When Facebook went down it was bliss. We as a society can adapt whatever is thrown at us. As long as we're not selfish and make sure the most vulnerable get what they need as they will be hit hardest.

In which case we are fucked. Do you honestly think people will not be selfish? Look at all the panic buying last year. The vulnerable will be trampled underfoot
cantbeforeal · 07/10/2021 22:16

Nah it'll all be alright again sometime 👍🏻😅

Pythonista · 07/10/2021 22:16

@JulesRimetStillGleaming

No.

When Facebook went down it was bliss. We as a society can adapt whatever is thrown at us. As long as we're not selfish and make sure the most vulnerable get what they need as they will be hit hardest.

Coping without Facebook for a few hours isn't comparable to anything serious
dreamingbohemian · 07/10/2021 22:19

[quote julieca]@dreamingbohemian yes that is true! Although when there was a local power cut, shops near me a few years ago still took cash and wrote down on paper how much had been taken.
Of course anyone without cash couldn't buy anything.[/quote]
Exactly, how much cash do people tend to have on hand these days? And of course, for many people, there is no spare cash to be had

I'm not saying things will definitely get bad but it's completely possible and I don't really understand why people don't want to admit this

Sarahlou63 · 07/10/2021 22:27

Haven't read all the latest updates so apologies if I'm side stepping a massive bunfight but I think it's not helpful to make parallels to the 70's/80's or WW2/Black death, etc.

The UK has voluntarily chosen to leave the largest trading block in the world. One that was less that 100km away. One that has offered seamless trading for decades. I can't see that is anything other than a retrograde movement.

The UK is now a third world country (and a small one at that) with no natural resources, no major manufacturing so very service based, an ageing population and a creaking infrastructure. Yes, there are lots of little bright spots - lots of Formula 1 teams are based in the UK (but for how long?) but the trajectory is downwards.

And all because Rupert Murdoch and the Barclay brothers wanted to reduce their tax bills. 😥

julieca · 07/10/2021 22:28

@dreamingbohemian I always keep £20 in cash just in case.

mustlovegin · 07/10/2021 22:33

[quote julieca]@dreamingbohemian I always keep £20 in cash just in case.[/quote]
Agreed

Blossomtoes · 07/10/2021 22:43

@Mollymalone123

I remember the winter of discontent-we just got on with it-and we didn’t have all the media hype banging on and on.This too shall pass and then next year there’ll be something else come along.
No media hype? I’m glad my memory is better than yours.
dreamingbohemian · 07/10/2021 22:48

[quote julieca]@dreamingbohemian I always keep £20 in cash just in case.[/quote]
me too : )

julieca · 07/10/2021 22:51

I think with the current chaos it makes sense if you have the money to be a bit prepared. I am not talking preppers level. Just a bit of cash in the house, a few torches and batteries, some easily stored food.

Wishihadanalgorithm · 07/10/2021 23:07

I am a bit baffled by some of the worries people have. Genuinely, if you are so concerned then do something. Write to MPs, join a protest movement, do something. Being passive and waiting for doomsday to arrive isn’t helping anyone.

Whilst I think Britain (and the world) has been in a happier place than it is currently it doesn’t mean it has ever been easy.

The 80s were bloody grim, so were the 30s with the Great Depression, so were the 40s with war and big cities being bombed. I could go on.

Genuinely, it’s not about getting a grip, it is about being pragmatic. Look at what you can do to improve matters (even if it is coming off SM and stop watching the news) and then do it.

I appreciate that is easy to say but even just signing some of the change Petitions can make a difference.

Worrying about what could happen in the future is only spoiling the present.

Anonymouseposter · 07/10/2021 23:16

Things are a bit difficult at the moment but there have most certainly been worse times . We have lived through them and they have been followed by better times. i don't think the UK is on the point of collapse. We haven't even got regular power cuts and 3 day weeks yet. The pandemic has caused a lot of sadness and stress.

XenoBitch · 07/10/2021 23:20

@julieca

National Grid has just warned there will be blackouts this winter.
Source?

I heard on the radio the National Grid saying lights will be staying on this winter.

XenoBitch · 07/10/2021 23:21

@julieca

I think with the current chaos it makes sense if you have the money to be a bit prepared. I am not talking preppers level. Just a bit of cash in the house, a few torches and batteries, some easily stored food.
Torches and batteries don't' help if you rely on things like nebulisers and CPAP machines.
Buttercup54321 · 07/10/2021 23:23

Stop watching the news and dont read newspapers. Everything will seem a lot better.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/10/2021 23:29

@Buttercup54321

Stop watching the news and dont read newspapers. Everything will seem a lot better.
brilliant advice.

I need to add to this - ignore your bank balance, don't open your bills, fuzz your eyes as you reach for pasta at the supermarket and sing a little happy song as you slowly circle your town looking for petrol.

Number one rule: don't say hello to the elephant you've just shuffled past.

SusieBob · 07/10/2021 23:30

@JulesRimetStillGleaming

No.

When Facebook went down it was bliss. We as a society can adapt whatever is thrown at us. As long as we're not selfish and make sure the most vulnerable get what they need as they will be hit hardest.

Good job we've got a compasionate, caring government in power then.

Oh.

julieca · 07/10/2021 23:30

@XenoBitch just google. Every mainstream newspaper has this story.

www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/10/07/gas-crisis-entirely-predictable-hopeless-ministers-should-have/

www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/10/07/greater-risk-blackouts-winter-national-grid-warns/

www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/07/risk-of-uk-power-cuts-this-winter-has-increased-says-national-grid

uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/britain-national-grid-warns-tight-080527762.html?

And yes sadly it does not help if you use those machines.

Also just read that ecar chargers will be preset to turn off at peak times if there are shortages.

buttermutt · 07/10/2021 23:32

Torches and batteries don't' help if you rely on things like nebulisers and CPAP machines.

This is why I often find the notion of some prepping a bit weird. What's the point of having good stocks & supplies if the shit does hit the fan. You're hardly going to be cooking up a storm by candlelight whilst people are rioting & looting.

DirtyDancing · 07/10/2021 23:33

Yep! Well, it partly almost has. Wait till everyone begins to understand the real budget implications of the SR.. Javids preamble to social care beginning at home.. and the general retreat of the Tories.

XenoBitch · 07/10/2021 23:40

@buttermutt

Torches and batteries don't' help if you rely on things like nebulisers and CPAP machines.

This is why I often find the notion of some prepping a bit weird. What's the point of having good stocks & supplies if the shit does hit the fan. You're hardly going to be cooking up a storm by candlelight whilst people are rioting & looting.

If society collapses to the point of preppers telling us they told us so, and people attacking their neighbours for canned goods.. I will be done and dispatch myself ASAP.