The U.K. government on Sunday released a campaign to get its citizens “Ready For Brexit,” Britain’s planned exit from the European Union on Oct. 31. There are billboards, online and newspaper advertisements, and even a nifty quiz on the government’s website telling people what they need to do to prepare.
Get ready for Brexit memes
Coming to a shopping centre near you pic.twitter.com/1njkakGxE7
— Sebastian Payne (@SebastianEPayne) September 1, 2019
But there are some complaints. For one, the campaign’s hefty price tag (reported to be more than $120,000,000) caught people’s attention.
Couldn't resist using Photoshop to add some graffiti to one of the Govt's new ads. They've left lots of white space at the bottom, an ideal canvas for real graffiti artists – go for it! This ad campaign is a ridiculous & criminal waste of taxpayers' money. #GetReadyforBrexit pic.twitter.com/zDHNxY3mnZ
— Aidan O'Rourke #FBPE #RejoinEU #Pro-Languages (@Aidan4Europe) September 1, 2019
For another, the campaign is not very helpful. Even the quiz really only covers travel and business regulations.
“I’m really I’m really enjoying the posters telling people to Get ready for Brexit by not telling anyone how,” author Emma Kennedy tweeted.
I’m really enjoying the posters telling people to Get ready for Brexit by not telling anyone how. Skillz.
— Emma Kennedy (@EmmaKennedy) September 1, 2019
Few appear to be taking the campaign or its tagline seriously.
— thenovice#fbpe (@pedromakee) September 1, 2019
Getting ready for Brexit means getting ready for Brexit
— Mike (@mikebirty) September 1, 2019
You really should not retweet this. #satire #Revoke50 It might upset some people. pic.twitter.com/lZ31EFndub
— Sean Kealey-Bennett #sicSemperTyrannis (@BennettKealey) September 2, 2019
© Hugh Grant. What a star!#StopTheCoup pic.twitter.com/dKqbstP7nc
— Simon Ubsdell (@SimonUbsdell) September 1, 2019
And a lot of people have genuine concerns over the potential food and medication shortages that many experts say are likely to occur following the deadline.
https://twitter.com/w11eyh/status/1168399158778220544
They seem to brush over the fact that loads of people famously didn’t cope and died instead.
— Jennifer Bradly (@jenbradly) September 1, 2019
I’m getting ready, I’m stockpiling gluten free food, my dog’s insulin, petrol for my car so I can support my aged parents (one with Alzheimer’s and one who has had a stroke) and I’ve joined the union so I can join the national strike – anything else I should do Mr Johnson?
— Judith Parker (@JudithP72788426) September 1, 2019
This campaign is far too open to abuse #GetReadyForBrexit pic.twitter.com/wW1yHRHzga
— Sarah Jane O'Neill (@s_joneill) September 1, 2019
#GetReadyForBrexit
I take 15 different meds every day, from EU wide suppliers, without them I die.It's as simple as that.
How do I get ready?
I can't stock pile, They're on a monthly basis only.Even my consultant said;
"If our government don't know, how the hell are we?"— SmoggyPower🏭 (@SmoggyPower) September 2, 2019
My lifesaving prescription medications are made in the EU but since they're a controlled substance I'm only given a monthly supply and thus can't stockpile.
How am I meant to #GetReadyForBrexit… without just moving into a hospital? pic.twitter.com/BptfiFcICC
— Jessica Kellgren-Fozard (@JessicaOOTC) September 2, 2019
Folks are also concerned about job losses and tariffs that a no-deal conclusion could bring.
50% UK cars are sold to other EU countries.
50% UK fish is exported to EU countries.
1/3 Welsh lamb is sold to EU countries.No Deal forces the EU to put tariffs on all of it.
How exactly do UK factory workers, fishermen & farmers 'get ready' for that? Smile?#GetReadyForBrexit
— Femi (@Femi_Sorry) September 2, 2019
Get on the housing list before everyone else who finds they can’t get a job and loose their homes?
— Chris Hill #FBPE (@chill1774) September 2, 2019
People in #Redcar & across #Teesside worry about that too – guess what most #Fish caught by out fishermen is sole in the #EU put those barriers up JOBS GONE #SouthShields & #Grimsby #StopTheCoup https://t.co/qU2kvKyxS9
— Chris J Keelty🔶 (@ChrisKeelty) September 2, 2019
People don’t believe the government has prepared properly for the aftermath and that even the Leavers (i.e., Brits in favor of leaving the E.U.) will end up changing their minds once they’ve had to live with the consequences.
#GetReadyForBrexit The government advice in a handy infographic pic.twitter.com/6ZjPMUzczq
— Neil Finegan (@everbluetonian) September 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/Brexitmemes2/status/1168300757864669184
https://twitter.com/Brexitmemes2/status/1168325462214500353
Crispin Odey is ready for Brexit.
Don't have a few spare million to buy gold and short the pound?
Not to worry. According to Michael Gove, you will get "the food you need".#GetReadyForBrexit pic.twitter.com/umlu7X7pIz
— Tom Scott (@Tom___Scott) September 1, 2019
Basically, people are scared and angry, and the advertising campaign isn’t doing much to help.
Ahead of the launch of UKGov's £100 million advertising campaign "Get Ready" for a catastrophic No Deal Brexit, advance copies of the first edition preparation manuals appear to have been released.#LearningToLiveWithBrexit#ProbablyNotFarOffTheTruth pic.twitter.com/tc4B148RRY
— Dr Paul Monaghan (@_PaulMonaghan) September 1, 2019
Why not #GetReadyForBrexit by purchasing a fabulous Louis Vuitton Ration Book Cover? What better way to assert your place in line? pic.twitter.com/e8rEbgfKdL
— Keir: A Free. Not Man. A Number. (@KGravil) September 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/w11eyh/status/1168398646561464321
— Pete Thorp (@Pete_Thorp) September 1, 2019
At least the memes are dank?
What did you do when the UK stopped being a democracy Daddy?
I retweeted some dank memes before they shut down Twitter sweetie. pic.twitter.com/pHZyEYEJIv
— The Brexit Comic (@TheBrexitComic) August 28, 2019
We've got a new meme format everyone. #Brexit #BrexitShambles pic.twitter.com/Oc9Bs11V64
— OS Crustacean (@thetingispingis) August 29, 2019
I made a Brexit meme because jesus fucking christ#Parliamentshutdown pic.twitter.com/8UiZX2KKZa
— GayStation64 🏳️🌈⚧💚🎮📖 (@GayStation64) August 29, 2019
Geeky Brexit Meme https://t.co/dS3n0YKuUn pic.twitter.com/ht8D3UiqB0
— Michele Neylon (@mneylon) August 30, 2019
READ MORE: