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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my niece doesn’t really get a say on how good or bad she thinks the budget is

292 replies

Dennien · 26/11/2025 21:42

I’m a single mum, I work full time, I have 3 children and I just about get by.
My niece is 26, she makes almost 100k (got lucky, was in the right rooms either the right people), and inherited 500k from her paternal grandparents.
She doesn’t have uni debt, she doesn’t have childcare costs. She happily pays £500 a month for a fancy London gym, lives in a flat share with her best friend etc.
Today she told me she didn’t think the budget went far enough etc. that Labour are useless and so on. She is a Lib Dem/Tory voter and very against reform too.

AIBU to say that young people in a privileged position shouldn’t really get to comment as they aren’t facing the same difficulties others are.

OP posts:
noworklifebalance · 26/11/2025 22:00

What a ridiculous thing to say, @Dennien !
Of course she has a right to have a say - she is paying tax, NI, hopefully contributing to a pension. Her money will be contributing to your child benefits, for which your third child will now be eligible.

You have three children (I hope this was your choice) and she doesn’t have any yet but may do in the future.
Her £500 gym membership is helping to keep a business running and employ people.
Her £100k means she is paying a decent amount of tax. I would have loved to have earned that much at her age and my grandparents did not leave any inheritance.
You can still put the £8k stocks and shares ISA, I believe it’s max £12k in cask ISA.

It maybe that she is currently contributing more fiscally to the country and economy than you. You may even be using more than you have contributed- maternity services, schools etc.

nomas · 26/11/2025 22:00

You sound jealous. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.

I hope she realises how much you dislike her and she gives you a wide berth.

Dollymylove · 26/11/2025 22:00

I dare say your niece pays a fair wedge of tax on her 100k salary. She probably resents paying for those who keep pumping out children for the taxpayer to feed and clothe.

MNLurker1345 · 26/11/2025 22:00

My perspective, this is MN after all! PPs may on closer consideration agree with you, but are responding to your delivery.

Of course she gets a say! I would question why, because she is not struggling, you would deny her right to express her feelings.

Despite what seems to be a growing sentiment in this country, people that are not scrapping by on their arse ends, do actually contribute and as a result do get a say!

Alpacajigsaw · 26/11/2025 21:59

You can’t stop her having an opinion or expressing it

CinnamonBuns67 · 26/11/2025 21:58

Yabu. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, her having an opinion won't make a difference as just like me and you and the rest of the posters here, she has no say.

ilovesooty · 26/11/2025 21:58

You might not like her opinion but she's as entitled as you are to express it.

Lastfroginthebox · 26/11/2025 21:57

I'm definitely not in the same position as your niece and I don't agree with her views, but she has just as much right to have an opinion as I do. You can't limit who has a say to just one section of society.

CoffeeLipstickKeys · 26/11/2025 21:57

Dennien · 26/11/2025 21:51

She grew up in council houses with low income parents so I’m shocked at her lack of empathy if I’m totally honest.

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Lack empathy?What you mean is she doesn’t parrot your beliefs and pat your head saying poor you
From modest start she’s done really well, attending uni, solvent. Be happy for her
Envy is a pernicious and wasteful emotional it skews judgement and damages relationships

Whatisthisperihell · 26/11/2025 21:57

So she's allowed to pay lots of tax but not allowed to have an opinion how it's spent.... YABU.

Original poster
Dennien · 26/11/2025 21:57

Vitriolinsanity · 26/11/2025 21:56

Goodness. She is a woman with an opinion. Summon the Elders!

It’s nothing to do with her being a woman, if she was male in her situation.
Its everything to do with her being in a privileged position, largely due to luck and having no empathy for those not in the same boat.

OP posts:
Littletreefrog · 26/11/2025 21:56

Of course she gets to have an opinion. Have a word with yourself OP.

Vitriolinsanity · 26/11/2025 21:56

Goodness. She is a woman with an opinion. Summon the Elders!

OopOop · 26/11/2025 21:55

Just because her opinion is different to yours, it doesn’t mean she’s not entitled to that opinion.

ToWhitToWhoo · 26/11/2025 21:55

Dennien · 26/11/2025 21:50

No she wanted further welfare reforms and spending cuts, she deeply resents supporting people who are out of work or on low incomes. Always says “they just need to up-skill and earn more”.

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I emphatically disagree with her, but she still has a right to free speech. iIf you want to debate, you could ask her; 'Suppose everyone did get a better-paid job, who will do the important but low-paid jobs?'

Naws · 26/11/2025 21:54

Dennien · 26/11/2025 21:51

She grew up in council houses with low income parents so I’m shocked at her lack of empathy if I’m totally honest.

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So she's only allowed an opinion if it matches yours?

There are far too many men who think this about women's opinions, without you adding to the count.

SilenceInside · 26/11/2025 21:54

She is of course allowed to express an opinion, you can also disagree with her and point out where you think she is wrong. It's disappointing that she wasn't willing to listen to an alternative point of view.

Hoodlumboodlum · 26/11/2025 21:52

snackatack · 26/11/2025 21:51

I thought you were going to say your niece was 12 or something.. not a grown up.

Her opinion is biased due to her privilege, educate her in how many people less fortunate than her live.

All of of our opinions are biased based on our own circumstances though aren't they. The OPs are too.

Original poster
Dennien · 26/11/2025 21:51

snackatack · 26/11/2025 21:51

I thought you were going to say your niece was 12 or something.. not a grown up.

Her opinion is biased due to her privilege, educate her in how many people less fortunate than her live.

She grew up in council houses with low income parents so I’m shocked at her lack of empathy if I’m totally honest.

OP posts:
Bushmillsbabe · 26/11/2025 21:51

At what age and income are people 'allowed' an opinion OP? As you state that her age and income doesn't entitle her to one!

CalmDownItsTulle · 26/11/2025 21:51

Dennien · 26/11/2025 21:48

The issue is she wasn’t willing to listen to my perspective as someone who is struggling financially. Most of the things mentioned will have no impact on her at all, she doesn’t drive, doesn’t have children, earns well, doesn’t have student loan debt etc.
The only thing that was relevant to her was the cash Isas but she said herself she already puts all her savings in a stocks and shares ISA so no change, and the salary sacrifice will impact her but that’s years away.

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The issue is you want her to feel bad for the fact you have less than her financially. The reality is that isn’t going to happen. She is where she is, you are where you are. You are jealous of your niece.

Lmnop22 · 26/11/2025 21:51

Everyone is entitled to a point of view on the budget.

Stop being jealous.

snackatack · 26/11/2025 21:51

I thought you were going to say your niece was 12 or something.. not a grown up.

Her opinion is biased due to her privilege, educate her in how many people less fortunate than her live.

Hoodlumboodlum · 26/11/2025 21:50

You've chosen to have 3 children and if you'd had 1 (or none) you'd probably find things easier than just getting by. Don't take your choices out on her. She has every right to her opinions too.

SemperIdem · 26/11/2025 21:50

Well she very much does get a say, that’s how voting in a democratic country works.

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