Petrol Running Out - Everyone Panic Buy!

So a few petrol stations (including the one down the road from me) have ran out of fuel, and many others have apparently had huge backlogs over the chance of a lory driver strike next month.

The Government have recommended panic buying as a safe-guard against the problems Labour faced during the last petrol shortage.

What are folks thoughts on this, you panic bought yourself?

I'd thought it was just the public being silly, not that the government had suggested the action. I wonder why they did. Undermine impact of the strike?

I'm finding the hysteria rather amusing to be honest. There's loads of people moaning about it on Twitter, as they're on their way to go and fill up themselves

Some are saying it's some kind of conspiracy to make the unions look weak or something, but I'm not so sure really. It does seem a bit stupid for the government to say it if there wasn't a confirmed strike though.

Nope. Mind you, my dad owns a tuning workshop and has his own pump.

But even so I would just fill up my car and that's it. Most people can never safely store enough to see through a long problem anyway if you use your car all the time, and if everyone is doing it, most will end up with nothing.

The government is being irresponsible.

Luckily I have a full tank, but this is a strike that might not even happen, all the government has done is make people panic. I guess If I had a low tank then yes I would have tried to get petrol as I need my car for work.

This is what the AA said ..." the buying frenzy will bring in an extra £32million in fuel excise duty. "

I think it was to make it sounds like they where doing something. Francis Maude recommended everyone go out and stockpile fuel to negate the effects of a strike, which of course essentially leads to panic buying.

Obama did it!!!

As far as I'm aware the strikes in the UK won't make a difference to petrol supplies in Stockholm anyway so I'm unsure why you would need to panic buy fuel.

Christ babe, give it up darlin - it's old news. [smile]https://c.tfster.com/images/smilies/lmao.gif">

my brother is a tanker driver anyway

Last time I was issued with a special letter which meant I could buy reserve fuel if it runs out. Most public services are given priority to buy petrol when there is a shortage. But then you cant take the piss and go running down to the coast at weekends, you can only take what is needed to get to work and back.

I tend to agree with Labour that they should be negotiating not telling public to panic buy.

What's old news? I'm assuming you don't actually live in Sweden then?

It's Sam/Eastender.

I heard on the radio here that the pollies there TOLD everyone to fill up their tanks...fill up a couple of jerry cans...but above all


DONT PANIC.

On topic, whatever you do, DON'T come to the USA.....ours is going up to $5.00 by summer!

Sounds a bit naive to think the general driver population have the facility to store worthwhile amounts of fuel. If they did, I'd assume no reason for them to need to suggest it in the first place.

Deliberate intent to cause panic buying in that case.