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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Lily Allen in Calais

310 replies

parrots · 12/10/2016 19:43

Couldn't find another thread on this. The situation in Calais is awful, but AIBU to see Lily Allen's overtures as slightly virtue signalling and self-indulgent?

OP posts:
sortthetacheoutbernard · 12/10/2016 19:44

I think she apologised because that's how she feels. I agree with her.

FluffyPineapple · 12/10/2016 19:47

She cannot apologise on behalf of her country - especially when lots of people in her country don't agree with her. I am sure Lilly Allen could house quite a few refugees if she had a mind to....

justgivemeamo · 12/10/2016 19:48

I dunno It makes me feel a bit sick saying " we bombed your country - put you in the hands of the taliban " etc.

Our soldiers went there to try and defeat the evil wicked taliban who is destroying every ones lives there. Bit rich to paint the UK in that way in Afghanistan, the country is even worse now of course - with troops withdrawn. Why not just say " look these evil tablian bastards have made your home inhabitable lets hope we can get you into the UK"

it adds to a sense of entitlement - which simply isnt there.

JeNeSuisPasVotreMiel · 12/10/2016 19:49

I also agree with her.
I've been to the camps several times and I also feel a sense of responsibility for what is happening in western Europe.
Not only are most of the bombs falling on the refugees' countries made in the west, but our demand for oil and the precious metals used in the manufacturing of new phones, laptops and tablets is driving the wars in East Africa and the Middle East.

WordGetsAround · 12/10/2016 19:49

I have never minded Lily Allen before but her performance today has been pathetic.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 12/10/2016 19:50

Embarrassing.

CremeBrulee · 12/10/2016 19:50

I think she may be unwell.

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 12/10/2016 19:50

She has no right to speak on behalf of the country.

missyB1 · 12/10/2016 19:51

She has no right to speak for me or anyone else except herself! So bloody arrogant to think she can apologise on behalf of a nation! No matter what I think of the Calais situation I don't need her to lecture me.

PunkrockerGirl · 12/10/2016 19:54

Awful.
For about 5 seconds I felt embarrassed for her.
She appears unhinged. Overpaid Z-list celebrities have no right to speak on behalf of the country. Unless she's going to put her money where her mouth is and house a few refugees.

justgivemeamo · 12/10/2016 19:54

Yes Je suis nothing to do with evil regimes robbing the peoples of this world of their freedom, nothing to do with the Taliban who have turned a relatively liberal free country into a dogmatic prison of ideology? Nothing to do with an arab spring.

sortthetacheoutbernard · 12/10/2016 19:55

Didn't she say I'm sorry for what my country has done.

In which case, she can.

Dontpanicpyke · 12/10/2016 19:56

Publicity seeking has been yawn.

Palomb · 12/10/2016 19:56

It's said in the paper that the person she was taking to was a 13 year old boy? The pictures I saw was not of a 13 year old.

She doesn't speak for me.

Isitjustmeorisiteveryoneelse · 12/10/2016 19:58

Yes the situation in Calais is awful especially for the unaccompanied children, but yes she came across as very self indulgent and not at all selfless. I saw a short clip of it and just couldn't watch the whole thing, but she looked like she was making that poor (teenage?) boy sitting next to her really uncomfortable, I imagine he's been through enough frankly. So, on behalf of my country, I apologise to him for Lily Allen.

MilkandAssal · 12/10/2016 20:00

I work in the Jungle. I don't think she's being a cunt, you have to be in that situation to realise the damage Britain (and America) have caused to all these nations. I personally apologise to those poor people every time I'm there. For everyone that isn't sorry that we've destroyed families and entire nations, that I'll apologise for you too. It's all very well and good having an opinion, but when you're in the jungle having to take a terrified 14 year old unaccompanied minor to hospital due to injuries sustained from rape, you see things in a whole new light. I also apologise on behalf of France because quite frankly, the Jungle should never have existed, it's embarrassing for all involved. For this I am sorry on behalf of Britain.

MorrisZapp · 12/10/2016 20:04

Could you say how Britain has destroyed families and nations?

MorrisZapp · 12/10/2016 20:05

Is rape a big problem in the jungle, christ that's awful :(

Original poster
parrots · 12/10/2016 20:06

Agree that the boy featured wasn't the best example of an unaccompanied minor. He was definitely nowhere near 13.

OP posts:
MistressMerryWeather · 12/10/2016 20:08

I think it's probably really easy to call her embarrassing and pathetic but I imagine she was over-whelmed by it all.

She looked like she was trying her best not to cry to be honest.

MilkandAssal · 12/10/2016 20:11

Rape is a big problem. If you stuck 1200 under 15 year olds in a place with 8,200 men and there was no policing, you'd probably find rape a problem there too.

Volunteers having to identify bodies. Kids walking to jump on lorries. Most of them have PTSD from their home countries, have had horrendous journeys, and end up in a shit hole that is Calais with a bunch of right winged cocks in Britain saying "there's no space for them here". Just fuck off.

2kids2dogsnosense · 12/10/2016 20:13

I do think, though, that if Europe and (to a much lesser extent) America don't want to be flooded with refugees, then we should stop our armaments industries selling weapons to these vicious bastards.

However, too many people are making too much money for any government to bring in legislation to that effect.

MorrisZapp · 12/10/2016 20:13

How has Britain destroyed nations?

Creampastry · 12/10/2016 20:15

Stupid woman trying to get media attention.

BastardGoDarkly · 12/10/2016 20:16

I agree with her, but is she actually helping too?