Sideways
Donor
Government Post-War
Before the war, the government had expected to issue rationing books so that people could buy supplies, then feed the public using their emergency stockpile, which contained enough basic food for five years. Food would be distributed in large field kitchens. The government would also run hospitals to deal with some sickness, and would dispose of, for example, bodies and waste. None of these things happened.
The rationing system fell apart in the preparation for war period due to the fact that listing and issuing ration books was delayed and by the time they were ready rioting had already started. Pre-war protests had massively delayed preparation for war planning and the distribution of food. In whole counties, no waste was collected and the public proved to be incapable of dealing with routine tasks such as disposing of sewage and burying the dead without government intervention. Disease spread rapidly, some of it the result of Soviet biological attacks, although it is now acknowledged that some of the worst strains were simply the result of the breakdown of all hygiene and sanitation facilities.
Large field kitchens were implemented in some areas, such as Essex, and proved to be completely unsuccessful. Not only did the large gatherings spread disease, but riots broke out rapidly as it was realised that there wasn’t enough food to go round. The first modern day ration distribution centres were established in Scotland. Large areas were cordoned off and patrolled by armed guards, ten people at a time were allowed in at a time, were disinfected given food for the week and escorted out of the other side, where more armed guards would break out any fights. It didn’t take long for these to come to be called Rat Centres, after what people assumed they were eating.
Attempts to house refugees and look after the sick met with similar problems. The best hospitals could do was to collect and dispose of some of the dead and almost dead. Refugee camps were established, and billeting large groups of people together in one place lead to a rapid spread in disease.
Republican government forces had their own strengths and weaknesses. While their rations were smaller, they were in a far better position to deal with housing problems. Monarchist advice was to stay in your homes, while Republican groups raided existing homes and cleared them out, taking loot and moving in refugees. The Republicans, many of whom had left their homes to fight, were often the first to reach the “virgin towns” - settlements that had avoided nuclear attacks. Peace Now! Bands carried less disease than most refugees, and were able to provide protection against other arrivals (most villages weren’t offered a choice - G). In urban areas, streets that barricaded and organised themselves made enemies of the government, but fared far better than areas that were nominally under the protection of the UK government.
Already, on the ground level, successful survivors were reaching a synthesis. Their homes were likely in Republican areas, law was dealt with on a local level, but they were willing to collect food and resources from the Monarchist forces.
Nowhere was the synthesis more clear than in radio. The business had never been well supplied or trained for nuclear war, and official BBC DJs often found themselves reading survival advice from sheets of paper that was totally detached from reality, whereas Republican Radio services often gave solid advice from people who knew about survival. The audience, with just a small amount of battery power, could not afford to switch between shows or listen to both. In many areas competing channels tacitly cooperated, taking it in turns to broadcast updates.
It was through these channels that what was left of the UK government sent its olive branch to the Republicans. They first offered to pardon all acts of treason and terrorism committed, an offer that was reciprocated by the Republicans, who noted that as they didn’t recognise the UK government, this was meaningless. The next offer was more sensible: joint government, an end to tit for tat violence between the factions and a focus, from now on, on survival.
It is a sign of how war weary the country was that it only took three days to open negotiations to end the civil war. Four days later. George Galloway, and everyone connected to the Republican National Interim Council, would be killed. But the rapidness of the ceasefire demonstrates a real desire for peace that most people still feel today.
(Someone literally shot you a few days ago, Ruth! And you still believe people are desperate for peace? I’m so proud of you! - O)
(Don’t worry, Olivia. It was only a standard Rat Centre scuffle, and they only shot me a bit. It’s giving me time to think about some things, and finish this! - R)