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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think we're being fed fake news and nobody seems to care any more

29 replies

Cinammoncake · 06/08/2019 13:13

For example the 'new money' for the NHS, or that the EU is to blame for our Brexit woes.

What about how Boris was going to negotiate a new deal but now, he's actually not. Nobody seems to be trying to hold him to account. The newspapers seem to be a law unto themselves (especially Daily Mail) and the BBC desperate not to upset Farage, Bojo etc by questioning things properly.

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Bluntness100 · 06/08/2019 13:20

It's not fake news, more it's peoples opinions. Some blame the eu for example. Some clearly understand the issue is ours.

And I wouldn't focus on brexit. There is a negotiation on going. Both sides are playing hard ball. There will be a lot of scarey stuff in the coming months as both sides try to scare the shit out of one another.

Unpleasant, yup, should both sides be able to act like grown ups. Yup, but they aren't, they are playing chicken. It's not people don't care, it's just if you know enough about it, you're best to not get all upset at every shot.

MaxNormal · 06/08/2019 13:23

It's not both sides at all. BJ and his team are behaving atrociously.

YANBU. A quick look at the Daily Mail comments page shows that people's views parted company with being informed by anything factual quite some time ago. It's scary how much complete drivel they believe.

noblegiraffe · 06/08/2019 13:28

There is a negotiation on going.

Is there? Pretty sure the EU said the negotiations were over and disbanded their team to new jobs?

Original poster
Cinammoncake · 06/08/2019 13:41

We the UK spent three years doing a negotiation with the EU. We've now decided we don't want that and it's all their fault Confused

Things like claiming we're giving money to the NHS when in fact it's money they had to save through cuts in the first place, or saying we're putting all these new police in, when the Tories cut that many police anyway, is fake news imo.

Bojo is acting like he's a newly elected dictator government. It was the Tory party who negotiated already with the EU and who proposed the backstop anyway.

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Original poster
Cinammoncake · 06/08/2019 13:42

It's scary how much complete drivel they believe.

I agree. Really scary actually. People think news and news headlines is the truth without any further questioning.

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CilantroChili · 06/08/2019 13:50

Looking on from outside (not UK), it’s very clear what’s going on.
I saw a post recently on here whereby somebody compared the Brexit cult to the public reaction to the death of Diana.

I wonder if years down the line people will shuffle a bit and look at their shoes when examining how Brexit played out.

Freddiefox · 06/08/2019 14:14

For example the 'new money' for the NHS, or that the EU is to blame for our Brexit woes.

I think people realise this is utter bullshit, and is a sound bite for BJ to look good. I don’t think many people genuinely think that there will be new money for the NHS.

But what can we /I do about it? Sign a few petitions? Maybe go on a March. I could vote... who for? If there was a general election BJ would walk it. There is no opposition any more. There is no alternative.

Freddiefox · 06/08/2019 14:18

That’s still taking into account the the tories and there in fighting were the ones who pushed for brexit to quiten their Euro spectics, the mess that has been left by Dave and friends should have killed the tories off but instead they seem stronger than ever, And in the mean time we have JC who may well be principled but is utter rubbish as the leader of the opposition and really needs to resign.

MythicalBiologicalFennel · 06/08/2019 14:23

I think people realise this is utter bullshit, and is a sound bite for BJ to look good. I don’t think many people genuinely think that there will be new money for the NHS.

My hairdresser was gushing over Johnson a few days ago. Look at him, he is everywhere, giving money to the NHS, he is sorting it all out, he even went on a helicopter! Hmm Grin

Original poster
Cinammoncake · 06/08/2019 14:39

I agree that JC has been useless and should go too.

Grin Boris to the rescue on a helicopter. I think there's no doubt some people are lapping it all up.

cilantrochilli that's interesting - is there a sense where you live that a lot of Brits don't want all this?

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Clangus00 · 06/08/2019 14:45

If the Government were so keen to get things sorted by Halloween, they would've forgone their 5 week summer holiday!
They just don't care.
Roll on IndyRef2, the care for which is getting stronger by the day.

whyamidoingthis · 06/08/2019 15:11

@Bluntness100 - should both sides be able to act like grown ups. Yup, but they aren't, they are playing chicken.

The EU are acting like grown ups. They have stated what is possible and what is not possible (i.e. breaking the GFA, giving the UK a better deal than members). They have given concessions where possible. The most the UK has done is vote for the WA without the backstop but with some undetermined alternative.

It's like a toddler have a tantrum because he doesn't want fish for dinner. Parent asks what he wants instead. Toddler doesn't know but he wants no fish now.

RasberryRoyale · 06/08/2019 15:18

Fake news like the Indy ref poll that showed the majority of Scottish people wanted independence? But actually, this majority was from a sample size of 1019 people polled? Never mind the 5.4 million who live in Scotland?

News stories can be twisted.

FusionChefGeoff · 06/08/2019 15:39

MN and my life is a lovely bubble of mostly rational, critical thinking, intelligent individuals.

Alas, this is not representative of the general population.

Fake news is scary as that IS what the majority believe.

whyamidoingthis · 06/08/2019 15:42

@RasberryRoyale - But actually, this majority was from a sample size of 1019 people polled? Never mind the 5.4 million who live in Scotland?

Except with a population of 5.4 million, we can be 95% confident that a sample size of 1019 only has an error rate of approximately 3%, assuming the sample was selected appropriately. Surveys rarely sample the full population, or anything near it. Provided the survey is conducted appropriately, there is no need.

RasberryRoyale · 06/08/2019 15:51

I’m just saying it’s extremely misleading to say the majority of Scottish people want independence when a tiny sample of the population was surveyed. It’s a non story. Fake news made up on a slow news day.

whyamidoingthis · 06/08/2019 16:04

@RasberryRoyale - I’m just saying it’s extremely misleading to say the majority of Scottish people want independence when a tiny sample of the population was surveyed. It’s a non story. Fake news made up on a slow news day.

It's not misleading. That is the way surveys and statistics work.

Based on your population size, you calculate the sample size that will allow you to state with a specified degree of confidence that the survey results can be extrapolated to the population at large. You then choose a representative sample of that size to answer the survey.

That is a perfectly reasonable sample size for a population of 5.4 million.

StoorieHoose · 06/08/2019 16:27

BBC Scotland didn't even have the guts to mention the Poll so it couldnt have been made up for a slow news day

Original poster
Cinammoncake · 06/08/2019 16:33

It's like a toddler have a tantrum because he doesn't want fish for dinner. Parent asks what he wants instead. Toddler doesn't know but he wants no fish now.

Exactly. Gove is saying the EU won't negotiate now. Really it seems like they can say anything they like now, it will be printed/broadcast and nobody is really criticising or pointing out that what they're saying might not be what is actually happening/has happened and why.

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darkcloudsandsunnyskies · 06/08/2019 16:44

This is an anti brexit thread.

But you are not reading or watching fake news.

Except you deliberately are. It’s called confirmation bias. Nothing will ever change your mind. You have literally been soaked in fake news.

Remainers are constantly regurgitating what they have seen or read.

This is how countries go to war.

It’s pointless joining these threads.

whyamidoingthis · 06/08/2019 17:03

@darkcloudsandsunnyskies - Remainers are constantly regurgitating what they have seen or read.

As are leavers.

Except you deliberately are. It’s called confirmation bias. Nothing will ever change your mind. You have literally been soaked in fake news.

You've no idea what people are/are not reading. Certainly, many people of all beliefs seek out confirmation bias. However, it is possible to ensure you are well informed by seeking information from a wide variety of reputable sources.

TiredTigger · 06/08/2019 17:06

With regard to the cash injection of 1.8 billion, I wonder how many applauding BoJo's generosity actually realise that the promised 350 million a week equates to 18 billion, so 10 times as much? 1.8 billion is around 6 weeks of extra funding to plug a decade's worth of auste!

But I am sure that there will be someone coming onto this thread to say that we haven't left yet and that the 350 million a week will be available after October, the 31st.

It was also interesting to see Matt Hancock squirm when asked whether this cash injection was 'new money'...

scaryteacher · 06/08/2019 17:12

It depends on your vantage point. For those who support Remain it is the fault of HMG and the EU have been clear and consistent. For those who voted Leave the WA was a surrender document, and May was an idiot for not taking the Canada ++ that was offered.

Some are horrified that an audit is being done of no deal preparations in various departments; others are pleased that someone is making sure that preparations are either in place , or close to being completed.

The Commission thought it had it all stitched up...Boris is showing that they haven't, and that we may decide to walk away without a Withdrawal Agreement, and preparations are ongoing for that eventuality. It's called forward planning, and I for one am glad that someone is getting to grips with it.

Fifthtimelucky · 06/08/2019 17:23

@Clangus00 'the government' hasn't gone on holiday. There is a parliamentary recess. Many ministers are still in their offices getting on with work as normal.

Any even when there is no parliament, MPs continue to deal with constituency issues. Their parliamentary work is often quite a small proportion of what they do.

whyamidoingthis · 06/08/2019 17:36

A quote from the Irish Táiniste, Simon Coveney in relation to claims made by certain candidates during the tory leadership campaign: “We have to respect the British political system, but we have a responsibility to ensure that the commentary in relation to Ireland and Ireland’s position on Brexit is based on facts . . . people are entitled to their opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts.”

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