What should the Govt do first?? (when TSHTF)

postie · Post by **postie** » 19 Mar 2011, 15:17

I've been wondering a bit lately, that when TSHTF, the Govt will have to institute some very radical proposals to stave off the worst... or at least try to stave off a fast crash descending into chaos.

Now, the very good people here seem to have some brilliant ideas on all things Peaky, so I was wondering, if you were in the Govt, and facing an impending fast crash scenario, what 3 things would you say should be done, by a Govt (laws, actions, advice etc) Given that if nothing is done, or the wrong things are done, or even the right things but too slowly or late, then things descend into a fast crash situation rapidly.

Mobilise the military stationed in the UK and I'd suggest an immediate recall of all military personal abroad. There's no point in having troops abroad when the crisis is at home. The troops brought home will be needed to retain order for as long as is possible, giving time to bring in any other plans.

All fuel to be rationed. Priority given to essential transport such emergency vehicles and public transport. No priority given to private vehicles (or ration fuel) Public transport not to move unless 90% full. (the time-tables will have to be ripped up)

Emergency broadcasts on all channels of useful info on how to collect rainwater, treat water for storage. Basically, Ray Mears type stuff that might help some people find and store food and water after the descent.

I'm not saying any of the above are "right". Just my personal view on the 3 things needed that might help in a fast crash. I'm sure others have even better ideas.... and it's such a wide ranging "top 3 things" that it's quite daunting deciding what should be done initially. I almost put in as 1 of my top 3 - "suspension of profit" .. as a crisis drives up costs and people will seek to profit from scarcity, but I don't think in a small time-scale you could institute or police that policy, or indeed change people's mindset to not profiteer from a crisis.

SO! What's you're top 3 things you'd do?

Ludwig · Post by **Ludwig** » 19 Mar 2011, 15:21

Do a runner.

UndercoverElephant · Post by **UndercoverElephant** » 19 Mar 2011, 15:22

postie wrote:I've been wondering a bit lately, that when TSHTF, the Govt will have to institute some very radical proposals to stave off the worst... or at least try to stave off a fast crash descending into chaos.

Now, the very good people here seem to have some brilliant ideas on all things Peaky, so I was wondering, if you were in the Govt, and facing an impending fast crash scenario, what 3 things would you say should be done, by a Govt (laws, actions, advice etc) Given that if nothing is done, or the wrong things are done, or even the right things but too slowly or late, then things descend into a fast crash situation rapidly.

My #1 suggestion: Get out of the EU agricultural/fishery system, even if this means leaving the EU completely. It would be better to remain in the EU with a completely re-invented agricutural/fishery system.

Once in control of our own fisheries the next thing is to implement a system of regulation which avoids all bycatch (fisherman must take back to port everything edible they take from the water, not just what fetches the best price). The system would also have to be designed so that fish stocks will increase year on year (not just stabilise).

Mobilise the military stationed in the UK and I'd suggest an immediate recall of all military personal abroad. There's no point in having troops abroad when the crisis is at home. The troops brought home will be needed to retain order for as long as is possible, giving time to bring in any other plans.

You might want "abroad" to include British bases in Germany, but otherwise I agree with this one.

Emergency broadcasts on all channels of useful info on how to collect rainwater, treat water for storage. Basically, Ray Mears type stuff that might help some people find and store food and water after the descent.

That would probably just terrify people, not that I'm disagreeing...

the_lyniezian · Post by **the_lyniezian** » 19 Mar 2011, 15:35

Ludwig wrote:Do a runner.

Are you suggesting that's what the government should do, not just might (or will) do?

Tawney · Post by **Tawney** » 19 Mar 2011, 15:52

UndercoverElephant wrote:My #1 suggestion: Get out of the EU agricultural/fishery system, even if this means leaving the EU completely. It would be better to remain in the EU with a completely re-invented agricutural/fishery system.

Would staying or leaving the EU make any difference? I would have thought that, when tough times come, compliance with bureaucracy will go out the window (inc. quotas). Everyone and their mother will be fishing in UK waters unless there are gunboats patrolling everywhere. Presumably EU agricultural subsidies will slump.

Would I be right in thinking that, officially, North Sea oil has to be shared with the other members in times of emergency?

featherstick · Post by **featherstick** » 19 Mar 2011, 15:59

What the government should do:

Be honest about the scale of the problems. Support through grants, reduction of bureaucracy, and help in-kind, the introduction of measures to relocalise the economy. Ensure that some form of distribution that gives everyone a minimum is put in place.

What it will do:
Deny anything is wrong whilst quietly preparing their own parachute. Enable themselves and their pals to make a killing on the turmoil. Withdraw all forms of support from the north, north-east, and midlands, writing off whole parts of the country to devolved anarchy, and ensure that the surviving state resources are deployed in keeping them and their pals safe.

Tawney · Post by **Tawney** » 19 Mar 2011, 16:35

featherstick wrote:What it will do:
Deny anything is wrong whilst quietly preparing their own parachute. Enable themselves and their pals to make a killing on the turmoil. Withdraw all forms of support from the north, north-east, and midlands, writing off whole parts of the country to devolved anarchy, and ensure that the surviving state resources are deployed in keeping them and their pals safe.

All remaining state resources will be flogged off, at pennies in the pound if necessary, to maintain Britain’s 'non negotiable' lifestyles for another 5 minutes – and to continue to pay debt and bonuses until it becomes quite impossible. The public are likely to accept it because most will assume the problems are temporary and we’re only “getting over a bad patch”. It isn’t going to be like the breakdown of the Soviet Union but some of the outcomes might appear similar.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 19 Mar 2011, 16:36

Introduce TEQs.

madibe · Post by **madibe** » 19 Mar 2011, 16:40

1/ Be Completely Honest

2/ Invest in Self Sufficiency (food, energy, manufacturing)

3/ Co-operate as much as possible with other countries regarding tech and green developments

and one more... forget the idea of 'growth' - rather stabalise and consolidate.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 19 Mar 2011, 16:44

I think they should be doing all that now. Mind you, it's arguable that TSHTF now, and all

madibe · Post by **madibe** » 19 Mar 2011, 16:55

Candy.... but they don't

point 1... fail

point 2... fail

point 3... ?

point 4... fail bigtime

Ludwig · Post by **Ludwig** » 19 Mar 2011, 16:55

the_lyniezian wrote:
Ludwig wrote:Do a runner.
Are you suggesting that's what the government should do, not just might (or will) do?

It's what I would do, if I were in their shoes.

UndercoverElephant · Post by **UndercoverElephant** » 19 Mar 2011, 17:28

Tawney wrote:
UndercoverElephant wrote:My #1 suggestion: Get out of the EU agricultural/fishery system, even if this means leaving the EU completely. It would be better to remain in the EU with a completely re-invented agricutural/fishery system.
Would staying or leaving the EU make any difference? I would have thought that, when tough times come, compliance with bureaucracy will go out the window (inc. quotas). Everyone and their mother will be fishing in UK waters unless there are gunboats patrolling everywhere. Presumably EU agricultural subsidies will slump.

If the EU continues to exist then its rules will be enforced. If we leave the EU then we can enforce our own rules.

Would I be right in thinking that, officially, North Sea oil has to be shared with the other members in times of emergency?

It has to be shared now.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 19 Mar 2011, 17:45

It is being shared. What do you think a market does? Shares the goods according to willingness to pay. Maybe that's not the best way of sharing but that's what you get if you want capitalism.

Kentucky Fried Panda · Post by **Kentucky Fried Panda** » 19 Mar 2011, 18:04

I'd do the following;

Confiscate all fuel and food, banning hoarding at the same time.

Restrict all travel, except for medical, military, government. Confine people to their homes with a strict curfew.

Marshall law in the cities and start shooting looters. Some examples must be made.

If none of that is effective, I'd take off the kid gloves.

PowerSwitch

What should the Govt do first?? (when TSHTF)

What should the Govt do first?? (when TSHTF)

Re: What should the Govt do first?? (when TSHTF)

Re: What should the Govt do first?? (when TSHTF)

Re: What should the Govt do first?? (when TSHTF)