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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is the UK about to collapse?

778 replies

Penfield · 07/10/2021 14:20

Sorry - There was probably a better way to put this.

Does anyone else have a feeling that we are close to some collapse, explosion, disintegration of society ...

With gas prices, petrol shortages, inflation, Brexit fall out, Covid, gaslighting government etc

I feel like we're on the edge of something - big ...

OP posts:
52andblue · 07/10/2021 14:55

@BringPizza

“Ah yes - we weren't sure whether we were going to die of AIDS or a nuclear war.

Honestly, compared to that, COVID is a piece of piss”

Between the AIDS tombstone adverts at the bus stop and the stupid leaflets about painting your windows white and sitting under the dining table I think we were all battle hardened before we left primary school…

Yes! I was a teenager in the mid 80's. Aids, Nuclear War ('Protect & Survive'), Miners strikes (& the decimation of an industry), Teachers strikes, my StepFather lost his job as a printer - 40 years of time served (after a 7 year apprenticeship) and Wapping happened and he was out. Never worked again. I remember the Miners sent US a food parcel (they remembered we'd collected for them, god love them). But I am scared for my kids. I am scared to put the heating on. I have holes in my roof, I can't afford to visit family / friends. This winter could be a long one. Boris Johnson is economically illiterate as well as gaslightingly nasty about women / 'the poor' / the EU etc.
idiotfacelicker · 07/10/2021 14:55

The "don't look at the news" fools are the ones that got us where we are now.

x2boys · 07/10/2021 14:55

@BringPizza

“Ah yes - we weren't sure whether we were going to die of AIDS or a nuclear war.

Honestly, compared to that, COVID is a piece of piss”

Between the AIDS tombstone adverts at the bus stop and the stupid leaflets about painting your windows white and sitting under the dining table I think we were all battle hardened before we left primary school…

Very true! Op stay away from mumsnet for your news.
MichelleScarn · 07/10/2021 14:56

I actually think some people enjoy the 'we're doooooomed! The end of the world is nigh! claptrap.

Gimlisaxe · 07/10/2021 14:56

@mikedyson

If I knew that I would be working in the government, could be anything from major corruption, although with this government I don't think it would be that big a story. It might be something like Johnson has more children out there, again not a massive surprise, but for him to have an affair during covid, might turn supporters against him.

Massive drink or drug problem?? I think my problem is that anything I could think of I would not be surprised of this government.

The only thing that I can think of, that would turn the majority of the country against the Tory party is something like massive fraud within the NHS, but I don't know if that is possible

BackInBlackAgain · 07/10/2021 14:57

Things are getting more than a bit sticky. Those of us who are awake can feel and see it now. Others will feel and see it later - when it's too late.

Oh give over OP

Wheelz46 · 07/10/2021 14:57

Of course it's media frenzy and you are buying into it, this post confirms that! You mention a petrol shortage, what petrol shortage? There wasn't one, it was simply people panic buying because of what they heard, just like there was no toilet roll shortage!

The world has seen worse!

mikedyson · 07/10/2021 14:58

@OhWhyNot

MN has always aired on the dramatic side

The predicted riots after Brexit, after we actually left the EU, during the marches and demonstrations of last year non of happened
which I believe has been disappointing to some

We are mostly too comfortable

Oh yes I forgot we were supposed to be living in caves and throwing rocks at each by now, due to Brexit.
JassyRadlett · 07/10/2021 14:58

The saving grace of this particular government is that they are relatively free of any ideology that isn’t ‘get re-elected at all costs’. We’ve seen that they’re willing to borrow to do it, and we still have good capacity to borrow.

The moment the marginals start looking dicey, money and solutions will be chucked at the problem of the day. In the same way that Covid did not cause total economic Armageddon, the current clusterfuck will be very bumpy and uncomfortable and I think we’re in for a shit winter, at a minimum.

The problem with this lot (well, one of many) is that they are optimists and honestly believe that most of these things aren’t a problem and will resolve themselves. So that by the time they wake up and start dealing with the problem, the solution is more expensive and less effective.

dreamingbohemian · 07/10/2021 14:58

By the way, life is much nicer all round if you don't watch the news & current affairs on tv, and stop buying a newspaper. I've been doing that for about three years now, and it's very restful

I'm starting to understand why the Tories are still doing so well in the polls

Sulusu · 07/10/2021 14:59

Er no, that's a ridiculous notion. Despite all recent events if you live in the UK, it's a very stable country and you are fortunate to live there. Same thing for most of EU countries.

Some people have lived very sheltered lives I think, and should probably best stay away from the relentless doom and gloom of social media.

Hellotoallmyfans · 07/10/2021 14:59

I was thinking this the other day whilst driving. It's a horrible time to be alive.

Really? Wow. Life expectancy in 1900 was 47. Black Death, no real doctors, high numbers of fatalities in childbirth, only the wealthy had enough to eat, small children working in factories etc. I know when I'd rather be alive!

I think it depends on your overall outlook on life in general ie look on the bright side or pessimistic.

mikedyson · 07/10/2021 15:00

[quote Gimlisaxe]@mikedyson

If I knew that I would be working in the government, could be anything from major corruption, although with this government I don't think it would be that big a story. It might be something like Johnson has more children out there, again not a massive surprise, but for him to have an affair during covid, might turn supporters against him.

Massive drink or drug problem?? I think my problem is that anything I could think of I would not be surprised of this government.

The only thing that I can think of, that would turn the majority of the country against the Tory party is something like massive fraud within the NHS, but I don't know if that is possible[/quote]
Exactly - this government has killed satire because they already exceed the most execrable behaviour at every turn.

vivainsomnia · 07/10/2021 15:02

It's a horrible time to be alive
How far back would you rather go back?

Kljnmw3459 · 07/10/2021 15:02

Nah too much effort, we'll just keep going like this.

PieMistee · 07/10/2021 15:04

Er no, that's a ridiculous notion. Despite all recent events if you live in the UK, it's a very stable country and you are fortunate to live there. Same thing for most of EU countries.

I was beginning to feel better at the start of your post but then you said most EU countries which we're not anymore so went back to my place of dooooom Shock

dreamingbohemian · 07/10/2021 15:04

I don't think the UK will collapse but I understand how you feel OP

I'm 50 so I also remember previous decades. The difference now for me is that back then, there was at least some sense that human beings might decide to do the right thing and avert disaster. Nuclear war was terrifying but you could still hope that the US and USSR wouldn't really go that far. Lots of domestic issues but you could hope the next election would change things, or that demos and riots would have an impact.

Today the scariest threats are things that humans can't reason with. We cannot stop climate change at this point. We cannot predict where the next pandemic will emerge. Energy resources are going to dry up.

I think when you add those things to the usual dumbfuckery that humans get up to, it means the coming years will be rather chaotic and difficult, yes.

vivainsomnia · 07/10/2021 15:04

I think it depends on your overall outlook on life in general ie look on the bright side or pessimistic
Or a deluded expectation that life should only be about fun, enjoyment, full freedom, few demands, and everyone making you happy!

Original poster
Penfield · 07/10/2021 15:04

@dreamingbohemian

By the way, life is much nicer all round if you don't watch the news & current affairs on tv, and stop buying a newspaper. I've been doing that for about three years now, and it's very restful

I'm starting to understand why the Tories are still doing so well in the polls

This
OP posts:
1forAll74 · 07/10/2021 15:05

The world won't collapse entirely,but there may be some huge problems with all these climate change issues eventually. Also there are lots of barmy leaders of some countries, who don't know the meaning of peace, and would try and damage other countries and their peoples. But don't study the media too much, as there are hundreds of people everyday there, all thinking they are experts,and spout a load of rubbish .

( Lets just trust David Attenborough, he knows everything )

HelloTreacle9 · 07/10/2021 15:05

Things do feel a little...apocalyptic. The UK seems to be in a particular mess because of Brexit but everyone globally is also still dealing with the pandemic and failing to deal with climate. I still have hope that things have to get really bad before the pendulum swings the other way and positive change happens in society, as has mostly been the case.

I have faith (and professional understanding) that, in the background, there are big businesses (brains, money and a growing impetus to be good corporate citizens and make positive societal and environmental change) working with NGOs and charities (expertise and grassroots understanding) and governments (Power to change policy and remove red tape) working together for good.

Growing up with the threat of nuclear war, the AIDS crisis and starting my career in London while the IRA were still bombing everything didn't feel a lot better than this tbh. I find stepping away from the news and Twitter helps.

MarshaBradyo · 07/10/2021 15:05

@MichelleScarn

I actually think some people enjoy the 'we're doooooomed! The end of the world is nigh! claptrap.
Probably.
Gimlisaxe · 07/10/2021 15:06

@mikedyson

Which is why I think they are throwing alot of shit at it. I don't care, how much in a bubble you live in the Tory party, but you can't have missed the outrage of taking away the £20 UC yet on the same day that happened an MP came out and said that the £87,000 that MPs get paid is not enough to live on.

If nothing happens, its not going to affect me, I am still going to be skint, worked into the ground, not have enough energy to protest against this government, futher than calling them crap on various social media sites, so indirectly (or maybe deliberatly) they have already won with me.

pussycatlickinglollyices · 07/10/2021 15:06

@Hellotoallmyfans

I was thinking this the other day whilst driving. It's a horrible time to be alive.

Really? Wow. Life expectancy in 1900 was 47. Black Death, no real doctors, high numbers of fatalities in childbirth, only the wealthy had enough to eat, small children working in factories etc. I know when I'd rather be alive!

I think it depends on your overall outlook on life in general ie look on the bright side or pessimistic.

The Black Death was in the 1300s.
NotDavidTennant · 07/10/2021 15:07

Could you be more explicit about what you think will happen? So far you're being quite vague and then chiding anyone who doesn't share your fear at whatever this unspecified disaster is going to be.