Why have we been told to 'stockpile' and what for?

[merryredfly]

We have been advised by the government to stockpile for 3 days but I am not clear why? Is it weather conditions or interference from hostile states? Or is it a government ploy to distract us from the Budget which will containing huge tax rises for some ?

Unlike the US with "Duck and Cover" I'm not sure the UK really got into the diving under the desks stuff, but the Cold War was still had the potential to go very "hot" until well into the eighties.

BTW the Protect and Survive leaflet has been mentioned..I maybe wrong but as I recall it that never got distributed nationwide but was available to purchase...

Would agree that largely the hiding under the table and similar advice wouldn't have been much good most places.

Anyhow I get the impression the advice doing the rounds ATM is much more about being prepared for the national grid going down, or just maybe a cyber attack of some sort, it's not about Russia bombing the UK.

I’m baffled by all the stockpiling, and I admit I haven’t taken much notice of the news recently. But 3 days?! Even when I’m running low I’ve got at least a month’s worth of food in the house. Sure, some meals might be a bit weird but we wouldn’t starve.

You’re correct (1984 I think) and the making a DIY shelter was also referenced in When the Wind Blows which was early 80s. I’ve got a DVD with the Protect and Survive adverts on, they’re terrifying.

1984 was the height of concern about a nuclear war and lots of people thought there would be a nuclear war. There were huge cnd marches.

Buy an extra tin every shop? Pasta is cheap. Buy own brands . It’s supposed to be for three days, not weeks.

yes I agree. I don't think nuclear is what we are looking at. Just someone upthread mentioned old people who were saying just now reminds them of the run up to the cold war. Thus the talk of nuclear.
Cyberattacks and powercuts are the two things I think we might get. Also food shortages due to lack of fertiliser/crop failure.

That you can make without power? I have things like dried lentils I can make Dahl from, but I can only manage a day or two if I can't cook.

the wiki says the PIFs I have on the dvd were produced in the mid 70s and then leaked in 1980

“The television portion of Protect and Surviveinvolved a series of twenty short public information films. The films were classified, intended for transmission on all television channels if the government determined that nuclear attack was likely within 72 hours. However, recordings were leaked to the CNDand the BBC, who broadcast excerpts from them on Panorama on 10 March 1980, shortly after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.[64]”

Many don't have the means to be able to pay for food, for next week, let alone buy extra to put away, just incase...

Perhaps supermarkets should stock self heating meals, as used in Army rations?

We had a paraffin lamp and heater! The news paper used to print post codes and the days they would have no electricity!

we used to make toast on the gas fire!

Im a camper so I have gas cookers, power banks and lights galore! Also lots of tinned food and Uht milk

I work from home and the cloud downage on Weds was a good example of the impact of a cyber attack- thankfully only for half a day and only effecting work!

Will probably need to get some water in, we have food for the two of us which could last 3-4 weeks - a mixture of frozen and tinned. If the electric went - then by a bit of judicious cooking, storage and preparation we could use freezer food first then move onto tinned food. Cooking is not so much of a problem - we have a barbecue, firepit, wood and gas cookers - all remnants of our camping days. Likewise candles, nightlights, torches, warm clothes, sleeping bags and blankets for warmth if the gas should get turned off.
It's reasonable to have some supplies but not so that others have no chance of obtaining anything. Otherwise be prepared to share what you have with family and friends if the worst should happen.

Perhaps not these ones…

I concur. If it goes to shit I feel that being shitfaced will numb the pain!

Have you never watched When the Wind Blows?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_the_Wind_Blows_(1986_film)

We were shown it at school (on the roll-in TV). It's fucking bleak!

ETA: link fix.

I’ve got a camping stove and gas, I’ll manage.

But merry is wrong. We all thought there might be nuclear war, but we were not advised to stockpile.

Me too!

I think they were planned ? So you knew what time you would lose power in what area ?

Pretty sure it was our Christmas film 'treat'! Nothing says happy Christmas like nuclear fallout!

That’s hilarious 🤣

Not exactly, no. As in the 70s we weren’t all so reliant on technology eg banking apps, online shopping, even operating our heating so there’s more to consider if utilities are hacked.

I’m not sure telling people to order some cans of beans and a wind up radio is a very good plan to distract people from the budget….

There’s a myriad of reasons why it’s sensible to prepare for situations. If they didn’t advise it everyone would moan to about getting no advice

I think that was Frankie Goes To Hollywood's Two Tribes 12inch version.

You’re baffled that other people aren’t you? You must get baffled a lot!