The problem is exacerbated by a Government that openly lies and makes false promises. As I have said numerous times before I am a non political beast and I don't kid myself that any other party would do a better job. But there is no doubt that people in general don't believe Ministers when they say shop for petrol as normal because there isn't a problem.
Then we have the Media who could be accused of fuelling (deliberate pun there) the problem by highlighting petrol station closures. It could be argued that the reporting has made things worse. But of course we have a free and open Press whose freedom can never be constrained and quite rightly so. I do think they could have reported the situation more responsibly but ultimately it is the ignorance of the "bugger everyone else I'm going to make sure I'm ok" attitude that has caused this problem.
What we need to do is find ways of getting those tankers moving and this needs to be done as a matter of huge urgency. There is no shortage of petrol, just a shortage of drivers to get it to the petrol stations. So the Government must take the lead and do something about that situation and if that means Boris Johnson having a crash course (another intended pun) in driving large tankers than so be it. It's about time he did something useful anyway.
I have half a tank full at the moment and am hoping that will last me until these idiots stop topping up. As somebody with a conscience said on Social Media: "I'm getting to the point where I genuinely need to fill up but am reluctant to do because people will feel I'm just topping up."
Ultimately the irresponsible actions of some people can lead to a lawless society where they have no consideration for others and listen to no rational advice because of their "I'm alright jack" attitude.
A couple of suggestions I have heard are at totally opposite ends of the spectrum.
1/ Limit the amount of petrol that people can purchase to say £20. This will keep us all running. Problem with this is those who genuinely drive for work etc will have to get petrol more often and it won't stop the upfillers (another word I seem to have invented just like yesterday's degenderise) from creating large queues.
2/ Make a minimum amount. For example you must spend at least £40 on fuel. Now this is an interesting one. What happens if you are filling up and find the tank full when you have got £35 worth of petrol? Does it mean you have to pay over the odds or, much worse, just pour the extra £5 on the forecourt?
I for one won't be going anywhere near a petrol station for at least a week, by which time I am sure the crisis will be over and the petrol forecourts will be empty as all the upfillers will have full tanks!
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Here's a little bit of Norfolk humour to lighten the day.
When you meet a person from Norfolk with a broad accent they are likely to ask you if you are alright. That basically is a term of greeting meaning are you well?
Now there are two ways of delivering this (and this only works if you say it with a Norfolk accent). You can do it very quickly. "Are yer alright" or you can do it very slowly "Are yer aaaaallllriiiight." Both work equally. Try it yourself.
It is said that if you don't come from Norfolk you have to serve a 27 year apprenticeship before you are fully accepted as being a local. The other threequarters has lived here for almost 50 years now so should we accept her as a Norfolkian (another made up word)? Let's put it to the vote. I vote no.