To think life in the UK feels meaner, sadder and more dangerous than it did two or three years ago?

From my point of view the whole 21st century has been one giant shit show. Everything is in decline. Everything.

The only difference now is social media and 24 hour news

That's definitely not true

Yes definitely. I think it's social media that's tipped it over edge. The fact anyone can get in touch with anyone now has , in my opinion, put far more stress on people, and created outcomes that are potentially far more dangerous. There was dissatisfaction before but it was in pockets and more contained.

There’s been general dissatisfaction since Cameron’s austerity. There was general dissatisfaction throughout the Thatcher years. The only difference now is social media and 24 hour news

Yeah but that was specific incidents.. Now there seems to be a general dissatisfaction all the time with everything from a wide range of people.

Ok, nonensical then, is that better

I’m not going to report your nasty comments @Petherbridebecause everyone needs to see what a racist you are

oh yes @Petherbrideand me & my mates wore baggy clothes with no makeup as 90s teens; was it like Bladerunner then huh? Or is it just the poc kids to be specific ‘people of colour’ and men talking foreign that you refer to you most fear? To use a 90s phrase you need to grow up and get a life.

I knew I’d get contradicted. It was obvious.

They might speak absolutely beautiful English at home. When they sit lined up on benches they speak LOUDLY , not in English.

Im glad they like baggy clothes, since that’s what they are wearing.

“ what nonsense”? Who are you? Hyacinth Bouquet?

Well @petherbridepray do tell why a few older men ‘sat in a row’ are intidimidating just because they may not speak English?? That’s ridiculous sorry not sorry!!

Brexit allowed certain people such as yourself to say certain racist things that wouldn’t have been acceptable before.

My sister, of mixed background, got told in the town where she was born, to “go back home”.
My friend’s Ukrainian husband got “go home” scrawled over his taxi.
And literally the day after Brexit my cousin’s Nigerian husband got an anonymous note telling him he was no longer welcome to park his car on the road on the estate where they live. (My cousin went ballistic and found the main culprit who quickly backed down but that’s another story.)

I think most have moved on to the current gov, Labour.

A great deal of this is that if the mainstream press tells you often enough that someone is ‘useless’ then people start believing it - rather than looking at any actual examples of uselessness. The fact is the Tory’s stripped the country of cash - some of it admittedly in circumstances they created , austerity and Brexit , some of it they didn’t actually cause - covid - but then looking at the ITV documentary last week ‘Covid- follow the money’ 80 billion spent on contracts for mates, people with proper experience not even being asked to tender - vast amounts of money given to various businesses without even checking their accounts to see if falsely declaring or in some cases even still in business. the whole thing was completely without checks and balances . All of these things have now come home to roost and without some serious action like 4p on tax etc the gvt have had to tinker at the ages as there is little money spare - they have however put masses into tax evasion/fraud/ benefit fraud etc and it’s actually paying dividends it would seem - of course some people don’t like it - many were benefiting from a completely haphazard Wild West system - few are going to state that though - the press is hugely one sided in the UK - designed to keep right wingers perpetually in charge and protecting their wealth, rather than what’s good for the country overall - people forget the Mail were always ‘hurrah for the blackshirts’ - they love a bit of light facism !

I've honestly felt the opposite recently - admittedly that's in Central London and the naice Home Counties market town near us and the village where we live. But the vibe is very upbeat or calm. I'm constantly amazed how full cafes and restaurants are. Our local market town High Street was dead just before lockdown - lined with homeless mattresses, all the shop windows papered up, only vape shops opening. Now it seems completely regenerated. Went out last night and Dh said to me: Is this town nicer than it used to be? Derelict areas have been rebuilt. Ugly areas have been planted and are now well lit at night. People always seem to have enough money to eat out all the time.

Not saying you are wrong OP, just that it's not true everywhere.

How do you know they all don't speak english? And lots of girls like baggy clothes, what nonsense

It’s definitely becoming a more scary place to be. Our local supermarkets have had to install security gates and extra measures because of increased crime which the police do nothing about because they are too busy arresting people for sharing “offensive tweets”.
Scum literally going into back gardens and stealing kids scooters and bikes. Shops and pubs closing everywhere and the only things that open are dodgy vape shops, barbers or nail bars with no customers which are clearly a front.
Schools using metal detectors to check for knives, I was so shocked to see that last week.
It’s very depressing.

Definitely wish for Boris over current choices, any day.

There are groups of young poc on bikes on our High street nowadays, terrorising pedestrians, wearing all black with hoods up. They also ride on the pavements. Last week they were doing it sainsburys. It’s truly obnoxious. There’s not a policeman in sight. Rows of older men that don’t speak English sitting on the benches in the park, is very unnerving, it used to be kids playing, but they’ve gone. I’ve noticed girls wear incredibly baggy clothing and no make up.
To me it seems like Bladerunner or something.

But it didnt come from nowhere.

Just because you weren't aware of it before Brexit doesn't mean it didnt exist.

@HerewardtheSleepy Boris?? the Tory’s caused this shit show over a good number of years by a combination of austerity that was all about posturing , (‘ look how fiscally prudent we are whilst bunging our backers and supporters humongous contracts’ ) -then an utterly pointless Brexit promising unicorns for all - please don’t vote on the premise that someone is more of a laugh - you end up with the idea that people think Farage likes a laugh and a beer ( he’s a wine drinker by the way) and the only laugh is the fact he’s making good money by fleecing the UK taxpayer and claiming his EU pension

Think this might be a bit specific to where you are-I got a gp appointment in 4 days ( and not that urgent) and my father in law only last week in 3 days ( not urgent either) - and mines in a small city and father in laws in mid sized town - I do think though that yes some places are much much better than others ( even if not 100% perfect) and it’s quite divided

I don’t agree - the Brexit debate opened a Pandora’s box of vitriol.

Football hooligans, poll tax riots, Toxteth & London riots etc miners strike. There’s always been division.

Give it 5-10 years, after a society has collapsed into a Mad Max-style anarchy, and you’ll be sitting in the deserted wasteland you call home, reminiscing about these times with nostalgic affection, while the rat you captured earlier
slowly roasts over the brazier.

I agree with posters who have mentioned cocaine use. It’s everywhere and it makes people really unpleasant to be around. The use of drugs is likely both a symptom and a cause though.

It’s hard to meet anyone who doesn’t feel like the country is in a bad place. The rising open racism is really scary.

Boris?

He created this shit-show. Life now was ruined by him and his party. Bet he isn't having a miserable time though.