My parents have become insufferable.

Yep I’ve noticed this alot. Do they get out much/socialise?? I’ve seen quite a few older people becoming radicalised by Facebook/GB News/Youtube since Covid. My OH has four uncles all in their 60s and they’ve all gone down these rabbit holes, borderline conspiracy theory vibes tbh, on immigration and other right wing issues. It’s weird that they talk about radicalised Muslims/terrorists/etc and have no awareness of how they are being radicalised themselves -but I think it’s because they don’t leave the house enough. Will they hear you if you tell them you’re worried about this, and that it’s making you not want to come over?

You don't think you take after her?

And let’s look at more facts to complete the picture. Net migration continues to fall from 2023.

https://blog.ons.gov.uk/2026/05/21/net-migration-continues-to-fall/

I think the world has just changed so quickly it must be bewildering for older people and they're just trying to cling to a life they can remember.

As a pp said, many grew up trusting media implicitly as 'the truth.' So they don't realise GB News is not news in any shape of form.

My dad (82) now talks about 'the establishment', but has no real idea of who or what this or they are. His sentences are peppered with GBNews / Daily Fail phrases - 'men of fighting age', 'the liberal elite.' No concept whatsoever that the Daily Fail has any agenda. This is their window on the world. He voted Brexit because of something to do with the war and football. He voted for Boris as he 'could imagine him in the pub, having a laugh.' Well yes, he certainly was having a laugh wasn't he.

As for YouTube algorithms and AI, this is next level stuff. He is 100% convinced that Trump and his entire family are amazing singers and musicians, particularly Don Jnr! He said he saw it on YouTube and 'everyone knows this' but it's just my family who refuse to admit it because we are part of the 'establishment.' DD told him it is AI. He said "I can see it with my own eyes, don't tell me what I can see with my own eyes. He thinks one of Trumps daughters is about to embark on a European singing tour with Erica Kirk - both 'blonde stunners' don't you know. Most if the time he is livid and slagging someone off. I could go on but I'm too exhausted with it all.

This really made me laugh, sorry!

I honestly can't be bothered to respond to everyone bashing those agreeing with the OP and spouting/defending obnoxious views on this thread, only to say that they just prove the OPs point. To the point where it's comical.

These responses on every bloody page ARE the insufferable bores ranting about "rights for whites", expressing anti-muslim sentiment, endless talk about small boats / immigration (despite being the ones who voted for Brexit which caused a huge influx), social cohesion was better when it was "all white", life was golden in the 1970s..... "We fought the war and wish that we hadn't now that there are more minorities around" FFS.

just imagine having these people for parents! I mean I thought my parents had some obnoxious views, but you lot take the biscuit!

Hrft but my responses tend to be,

Mmm yes its worrying isn't it.
Yes there are some needy/ignorant/unpleasant people around.
I've not really researched this, tell me more.
I'm not sure where the money goes but it doesn't seem to get to the people that need it.

These responses seem to placate most of the political spiel I hear from either side of the political spectrum.

They’re a bit young to be moaning about health all the time, people who do this are wasting their younger years. Now 80s is old!

Loads of other countries are patriotic, and celebrate their country. It is so sad that we feel conflicted about it, and some have done it for the wrong reasons. I look at it as being proud of our multicultural society, and England as a whole. I don't have a flag, but I wouldn't judge those that do, as it could be for the right reasons.

The Labour gvt are also refusing to issue sex crime data based on nationality. They are actively suppressing it using lawyers paid for by us tax payers. Despite the fact it is in our interest to have this data. Other countries issue it and it is not pretty. Labour also provide a leaflet to all 'asylum seekers' asking them not to rape the locals, cos it is not our culcha here innit.
If people's parents talk about this - are they racist bigots to be ignored, until it's time to read their will? No need to answer.

Your are mistaken @Crikeyalmighty - the Tories were infiltrated by a load of Lib Dems who knew they couldn't get voted for so lied. Why do you think public debt increased (even without COVID) massively under them, even more than the 13 years prior to that of Labour? Massive, reckless state spending that we can't afford is not the actions of a right wing or conservative govt and because they were left wing alot of their supporters have deserted them and they are very low in the polls (albeit Kemi does seem conservative and is personally popular, but is fighting against a massive loss of trust).

I read this and I thought you were talking about my mother !! I hate it and have limited contact now as she would bring the subject of illegal immigrants / Muslims in to the mix every....single...time... I feel your pain

A Labour gvt (Blair) opened the doors originally, then 2023-2024-2025 have seen the highest levels of net migration since records began. Also under a Labour gvt.

In the year ending June 2023 - the UK population grew by nearly one million. All of which was net migration. That was under the Labour gvt.

I think you might have left out ‘previous gvt’ and the person who responded needs to get her facts straight - it was a right wing gvt from 2010 to 2024 that presided over this , nothing to do with left wing - I’m a centrist and one reason I would never vote green is I totally disagree with their general views on immigration ( apart from the fact I am pro EU) and defence ( or lack of it) - however to try and blame the current gvt who have actually taken far more positive action than the previous load did is being extremely disingenuous -

@ALittleBitDifferent Yes the home environment matters. But we have for years made efforts to overcome the disadvantage experienced by other groups of people. You may think you support the oppressed - but if you dont care about disadvantage in all its forms then you are as bad as those who are racist.

100%

But woe betide anyone who points out the frighteningly obvious.. One has to ask - what are people's motivations for continuing the charade, and incoherently claiming anyone (for example their own parents) who questions it as being Racist! Bigoted! ?

Either they're dim - quite likely given approx 50% of the UK population has an IQ below 100, or they're benefiting from left wing policies with a reliance on the state for their benefits / housing.

Or both.

Not my parents, because I'm old and my parents are long gone, but my partner (whom I don't live with) is changing like this. We've been together almost 17 years and she was medically retired during the pandemic due to a chronic illness. I've been retired longer. Since she retired she's become harder and bitchier, it seems. She not a news follower so doesn't consume endless news stories that influence her, but she'll overhear someone say something and suddenly it's gospel and is going to be made law and she goes off on a rant about it (It never is. She's usually got the wrong end of the stick), or she'll just randomly be nasty about someone due to their race. I've always hated racism, and despise racial slurs, but she'll purposely call people these names. I think it's an age plus retirement thing with her as she was always very social, cheerful, and liberal when she worked but that's disappeared completely as she's become more insular. Maybe that's the same thing with your parents. They're retired and only have each other (most of the time) and so they sort of feed off each other's negativity? I understand you not wanting to be in their company. It's draining.

I will not be engaging in this type of conversation.' And leave the room, if you have to.

Unfortunately the flag has been co-opted by racism far-right bigots.

My late father's partner (89 now but totally sharp) is exactly like this. I've only known her about ten years, but she's been like this all that time. No idea what she was like when younger. Really hates overweight people and spends hours slagging off her closest friend. I do sometimes wonder if it's being old and being disappointed in life (she was twice widowed) and dealing with ailments and the sheer weirdness of knowing that you're near the end of your life that makes some old people so - well, bitter seems to be the word.

They have views and opinions that don't align with yours. That's life. Talk about other things with them and avoid inflammatory topics.

My dad is really similar. He's early 70s. My mum curses me for showing him how to work YouTube. I thought he'd enjoy music and old comedies. Me and my mum call what he watches "hate TV". The general theme is men shouting about conspiracy theories etc. It's been a bit like losing someone to a cult. He definitely talks at people as well. My dad has always been very funny, kind and generous as well. We used to have a good relationship talking about music and comedy, but now every conversation steers to agendas and conspiracies

And these parents sound a bit draining but in my experience it is the far left who are more keen to share their madcap views and won't listen to factual counterarguments. Most of the ones I know are wealthy boomers who live in a bubble.

Thanks @CoventryCity for calling out the utter nonsense that people spout about the NHS. Medical school places have been deliberately kept low for years so that our young people have had to compete for places and many have lost out just because the govt doesn't want to pay for training but rather would steal trained doctors from third world countries. And these doctors have much higher negligence claims against them than UK trained doctors. Added to which recently trained nurses have been unable to find positions while again the govt employ nurses from abroad. The whole system is mad. Plenty of countries manage to train enough of their own medical staff without stealing them from poor countries which need them so there is no reason whythe UK couldn't. And yes if the govt hadn't recklessly imported 15 million people in a very short space of time (most of whom are a net cost adding to our massive debt) we wouldn't need all these extra staff anyway and the NHS would provide a much better service.

My mum is also annoying af as she’s got older- keeps sharing Farage posts and does the ‘I’m not racist but’
She also has an opinion on everything on social media and seems to really hate women- frequently using phrases like ‘ shouldn’t be doing that at her age’ or ‘mutton dressed as lamb’
I honestly have realised as I’ve got older that she just lacks critical thinking skills and to be honest, isn’t very bright.