Imagine walking into your local supermarket and finding empty shelves where you expect to see fresh produce and essential groceries. That’s a terrifying reality that Richard Harvey warns could become the new normal in the UK.

The government's recent shift towards agricultural self-sufficiency is intended to protect national food security, but it risks destabilizing an economy heavily reliant on international trade for vital resources. My late husband used to say, “We can’t insulate ourselves from the world and expect everything to be fine.”

Harvey’s warnings echo concerns over the potential for anarchy if food shortages become widespread due to misguided policies that prioritize state control over market-driven solutions.

This isn't just about economics. It's about people, particularly younger generations who may not have lived through major disruptions and don’t understand how quickly things can change. Think of it like your household budget: when you cut out all external income sources to become self-sufficient, you’re taking a huge risk.

For my grandchildren, this means uncertainty and less access to the variety of food they're used to eating today. It’s scary because I know how much harder life becomes without basic necessities available at your fingertips.

I stayed up last night thinking about it and realized that we can't afford to be naive about the consequences of these policies. We need to understand what's happening, talk about it openly, and consider if there might be better ways forward.