It's official - UK coalition government are irresponsible morons

What is the stupidest thing any government can do if there is a chance of fuel shortages?

That's right - encourage people to panic buy stocks of petrol to keep at home.

So, guess what their advice was earlier?


Maude Urged To Withdraw Petrol Advice

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude has been urged to withdraw comments that people should fill up jerry cans with petrol in case of a strike by fuel tanker drivers over Easter.

Despite insisting there was no need to panic, Mr Maude advised people to stock up on fuel in case of a walkout at what is one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
"When it makes sense, a bit of extra fuel in a jerry can in the garage is a sensible precaution to take," Mr Maude said.

He added: "People need to be aware that there is a risk to fuel supplies," although he insisted it should not be a "mad dash" or a "panic".
"It's not for us to give advice on what people should do. It is our obligation to tell them what is going on so that they can make their own decisions," he insisted.
Tanker drivers at five of the seven main supply companies have voted in favour of industrial action over terms and conditions, as well as safety standards.
Unite, which represents around 2,000 drivers who deliver to Shell, Esso and major supermarkets, is demanding minimum standards for pay, hours, holiday and redudancy.
Conciliation service Acas has invited both sides to enter talks in the hope of brokering a deal and avoiding a walkout on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
David Cameron is chairing a Cobra meeting of ministers later to discuss measures to mitigate the effect of a walkout in case it does go ahead.

There are already contingency plans to train military personnel to drive tankers if required.
But the coalition has been accused of stoking fears about a petrol shortage because of confusion over its advice to the general public.
On Tuesday, Downing Street refused to say directly if drivers should fill up just in case. The official spokesman simply said: "People will draw their own conclusions."
The statement drew an angry response from motoring organisations, who accused the Government of encouraging panic buying.
An AA spokesman said: "It’s the height of irresponsibility for Downing Street to give the impression that people should be panic-buying. They should be using all their efforts to get a settlement."
Labour branded the latest comments from Mr Maude the "height of irresponsibility part two" and shadow minister without portfolio Michael Dugher asked: "Has Francis Maude gone mad?!"

The Fire Brigades Union called for the advice to be withdrawn, warning that storing petrol at home was extremely dangerous.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: "The general public does not properly understand the fire and explosion risk of storing fuel, even if it was done sensibly.
"Those without garages may be tempted to store fuel in the home. In the event of a fire in the house or a neighbouring property, it would be disastrous.

The Fire Service has published guidelines on storing petrol and diesel, which is restricted by law.
Within minutes of Mr Maude appearing, Mr Cameron was challenged about his comments during a Downing Street press conference where he insisted the Government was delivering a "very calm, very sensible" message and denied stoking the row.
"I absolutely do not want to raise the temperature on this any more than is necessary," he said. "I do not want a strike to take place.
"I hope the talks will be successful but in government you always have to prepare for any eventuality. The British people would expect that.
"To the British people themselves I would say look, there is no imminent strike. The unions would have to give seven days notice of any strike so there is no need to to queue to buy petrol.
"If there is an opportunity to top up your tank if a strike is potentially on the way, then it is a sensible thing if you are able to do that.

More at:

http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16197699



Oh, ps - apparently, if you do anything so stupid as stockpile petrol at home, your house insurance is invalidated.

Woman Badly Burned Trying To Store Petrol

A woman has suffered 40% burns when petrol ignited as she was transferring it to containers in her kitchen in York, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has said.

It comes two days after Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude told Sky News that people should avoid petrol shortages by putting extra fuel in a jerry can in the garage.
Sky's North of England correspondent Gerard Tubb said: "The woman was apparently decanting fuel in the kitchen of her home.
"She was pouring petrol from one container to another, but we do not know what those containers were and why she was doing it.
"However, somehow the petrol ignited and set fire to her."
It is unclear whether the woman's actions were the response of advice given by the Government.
Tubb said: "When the Government advised people that they should store some petrol in a jerry can, there was immediate criticism from some fire experts saying it could be very dangerous."

More at:

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16199277

Another triumph for the government - NOT.