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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think the uk is on its knees

732 replies

Ilovemycatalot · 02/02/2023 13:43

Just this. Every day negativity. No one is happy with life or working conditions. The country is at an all time low. Living standards getting worse by the day people getting poorer. I know we are not in poverty like some countries but honestly can’t see us ever returning to decent living standards unless you’re the few top percent earners. Tell me I’m being dramatic perhaps I am but can’t see much of a way back from this .

OP posts:
beautifulpaintings · 02/02/2023 15:49

@THisbackwithavengeance I think its more the feeling that a lot of services are in a state, when people pay tax and have a right for things to be better. It's fair to be upset about that, regardless of whether people are optimistic, or have a nice life. Because it's their hard-earned money, and it should be managed better. I've seen from where we live now that that things CAN be managed so much better.

LauraNicolaides · 02/02/2023 15:49

We're in deep trouble economically!

We're doing considerably worse than the rest of the world (see the 31/01 IMF forecasts, but also many other analyses). Brexit is simply a national financial disaster. And it's really only just begun. The damage to exports is already serious. The shift of business and investment to be back on the other side of the barriers we chose to erect between ourselves and the lucrative single market has only just started. And the contraction of the economy caused by shortage of labour is a cumulative problem. Every year we will be relatively poorer. Our politics won't allow us to begin to correct this for many more years. We're on the road to being a poor country by choice. Let's at least hope we can say that we're poor but we're happy! Grin

Botw1 · 02/02/2023 15:51

@MarshaBradyo

But everyone you know is fine and happy?

The state service I work in is not fine or happy.

The area I live in has high rates of poverty. Not fine, not happy.

It has a lot of elderly people with a lot of health problems. Not fine, not happy

Schools are good but the teachers are striking so I guess they aren't fine or happy either

Eve · 02/02/2023 15:51

i am not angry about the fact that it will pass, it’s cyclical etc

what I am angry about is the fact that most of it was completely bloody avoidable in the 1st place!!!

Twawmyarse2 · 02/02/2023 15:53

Try having an octogenarian parent dying in hospital with a criminal lack of staff and care. You are very fucking lucky it's not affecting you yet. But it will.

The NHS has been “on its knees” for years - even before covid there were stories of long queues, lack of staff, hour long waits for ambulances - people have very short memories. This is not a new thing.

Of course people often only notice something when it affects them personally, that is why I am speaking from my own personal perspective. So far I and everyone I know is doing fine. It’s not a crime to say to the OP’s thread title “no, I don’t relate to that at all” - as many people here are saying.

LillianGish · 02/02/2023 15:54

It is the same all over Europe...never gets mentioned here in the UK as they like to pretend we are the only ones suffering (so they can blame Brexit) It really isn't the same all over Europe - that's what those in Government want you to believe and what some people choose to believe (said in the same breath as the UK had the best roll out of Covid vaccinations - completely missing the point that the UK also had one of the worst death rates and that the health service is still on its knees). There just seems to be a total blindspot among some Brits - a complete refusal to look facts in the face. I'm not sure whether it's because they can't believe it or because they don't want to believe it. Britain is the only G7 economy forecast to shrink next year. Denying it doesn't make it not true - it's time to face up to what's wrong, admit mistakes have been made and start to put them right.

sjxoxo · 02/02/2023 15:54

TheNoonBell · 02/02/2023 13:47

It is the same all over Europe, strikes everywhere, healthcare failing etc.

They had a general strike in France earlier this week, never gets mentioned here in the UK as they like to pretend we are the only ones suffering (so they can blame brexit).

I hate these ‘Europes the same’ posts - its genuinely BS… I’m in France and here’s a few truths from my last couple of weeks:

  • I paid €6.50 for 2 X-rays and a check up at the dentist (we have health insurance which pays a % as does the state)
  • I got an appointment with my GP no problems
  • I paid my nursery bill which is €135 per month for x2 days a week.

.. We have strikes but I’m afraid they’re not at all for the same reasons as the UK! Low pay, poor working conditions, no welfare state, poor subsidised childcare - these are all political choices. Europe hasn’t all made these choices…

Urging everyone to vote carefully next GE. X

4thonthe4th · 02/02/2023 15:55

sjxoxo · 02/02/2023 15:54

I hate these ‘Europes the same’ posts - its genuinely BS… I’m in France and here’s a few truths from my last couple of weeks:

  • I paid €6.50 for 2 X-rays and a check up at the dentist (we have health insurance which pays a % as does the state)
  • I got an appointment with my GP no problems
  • I paid my nursery bill which is €135 per month for x2 days a week.

.. We have strikes but I’m afraid they’re not at all for the same reasons as the UK! Low pay, poor working conditions, no welfare state, poor subsidised childcare - these are all political choices. Europe hasn’t all made these choices…

Urging everyone to vote carefully next GE. X

Show quote history

Why on earth do you need to urge people how to vote when you don’t even live here?

BanjoKnickers · 02/02/2023 15:56

Palomabalom · 02/02/2023 15:26

The UK and England in particular are extremely self critical and tend to see the worst in everything we have and so. We just seem to be so much more self deprecating than other countries and self flagellate. It only serves to make us appear weaker to the rest of the world and deflects attention from their shortcomings. We are in a difficult place at the moment but being angry at your own country solves absolutely nothing .

We just seem to be so much more self deprecating than other countries and self flagellate.

I can absolutely assure you that this is not how is looks from the outside! The UK appears to be arrogant and delusional. Exceptionalism has landed you where are, and we're not talking about exceptional levels of self-awareness. It's all a bit like the Prince Andrew interview, where he said his only fault was that he was just too honourable Grin

MarshaBradyo · 02/02/2023 15:56

Botw1 · 02/02/2023 15:51

@MarshaBradyo

But everyone you know is fine and happy?

The state service I work in is not fine or happy.

The area I live in has high rates of poverty. Not fine, not happy.

It has a lot of elderly people with a lot of health problems. Not fine, not happy

Schools are good but the teachers are striking so I guess they aren't fine or happy either

They seem to be yes. It really is a different mood to on here.

Even on strike day it was like a social club for Dc in the park.

One factor is increased wfh and flexible work since pandemic - it’s far greater impact on happiness as work life balance has changed so much. Quite a few at work actually while with dc yesterday.

Your area can of course be different without what I’m saying not also being the case.

sjxoxo · 02/02/2023 15:56

For those interested, the strikes here in France are about resisting the age of retirement. (Which is already lower than the UK.)

Of course France isn’t perfect! No where is. Just sharing to show that actually some of the main ‘themes’ of discontent aren’t necessarily issues we have here. Many are choices made by the UK government. X

LillianGish · 02/02/2023 15:57

Brexit is simply a national financial disaster. And it's really only just begun. The damage to exports is already serious. The shift of business and investment to be back on the other side of the barriers we chose to erect between ourselves and the lucrative single market has only just started. And the contraction of the economy caused by shortage of labour is a cumulative problem. Every year we will be relatively poorer. Our politics won't allow us to begin to correct this for many more years. We're on the road to being a poor country by choice. Absolutely spot on.

Botw1 · 02/02/2023 15:57

@Twawmyarse2

Do you work in health care?

This is absolutely a new thing.

There's also a difference between saying I personally don't relate (I'm alright Jack) and nope, definitely not happening any where at all ever and evdn if it is its worse everywhere else and was worse in the 70s and 30s!

Botw1 · 02/02/2023 15:59

@MarshaBradyo

So not really mixed in terms of actual deprevation then?

Sounds decidedly middle class!

sjxoxo · 02/02/2023 15:59

4thonthe4th · 02/02/2023 15:55

Why on earth do you need to urge people how to vote when you don’t even live here?

Show quote history

@4thonthe4th …even as a non-resident, I still have a vote in the UK and I am still very affected by political choices made in the UK..! I’m surprised at your comment..it’s a bit obvious - I mean brexit, NI contributions, UK savings & bank accounts… you don’t sever all involvement with your country of nationality when you live abroad! x

MarshaMelrose · 02/02/2023 16:00

sjxoxo · 02/02/2023 15:56

For those interested, the strikes here in France are about resisting the age of retirement. (Which is already lower than the UK.)

Of course France isn’t perfect! No where is. Just sharing to show that actually some of the main ‘themes’ of discontent aren’t necessarily issues we have here. Many are choices made by the UK government. X

Isn't France synonymous with strikes? The two just go together, don't they?

4thonthe4th · 02/02/2023 16:01

sjxoxo · 02/02/2023 15:59

@4thonthe4th …even as a non-resident, I still have a vote in the UK and I am still very affected by political choices made in the UK..! I’m surprised at your comment..it’s a bit obvious - I mean brexit, NI contributions, UK savings & bank accounts… you don’t sever all involvement with your country of nationality when you live abroad! x

Show quote history

You didn’t state you’re an expat. You just said you’re in France.

MarshaBradyo · 02/02/2023 16:02

Botw1 · 02/02/2023 15:59

@MarshaBradyo

So not really mixed in terms of actual deprevation then?

Sounds decidedly middle class!

I don’t think you can say that about SE London - it’s not Surrey.

It’s mixed in nationalities and incomes. I wouldn’t say deprived but not all over affluent either

beautifulpaintings · 02/02/2023 16:02

LillianGish · 02/02/2023 15:57

Brexit is simply a national financial disaster. And it's really only just begun. The damage to exports is already serious. The shift of business and investment to be back on the other side of the barriers we chose to erect between ourselves and the lucrative single market has only just started. And the contraction of the economy caused by shortage of labour is a cumulative problem. Every year we will be relatively poorer. Our politics won't allow us to begin to correct this for many more years. We're on the road to being a poor country by choice. Absolutely spot on.

We left because of Brexit.

I think you're right. It just seems sad to have opted out of the European market - we live in it, and we benefit in a lot of ways, lots of business opportunities for us cross borders, but we sadly can't do ANY business with the UK now even though we really wanted to because of costs, red tape, disorganisation, etc. And personal benefits like food, goods etc that are high quality that are easily sent cross European borders that won't be able to be sold in the UK now, lots of opportunity for our kids to travel cheaply, free uni, free really good healthcare.

When I listen to the news here theres virtually nothing about the UK (but why would there be, really). I do think that if the UK wanted to reverse Brexit, Europe would welcome us back personally, and that would offer a really great boost to the economy and so many other things.

MarshaBradyo · 02/02/2023 16:02

Actually scrap it’s not Surrey that’s probably mixed too

Blossomtoes · 02/02/2023 16:02

pristinesurfacesGBTD · 02/02/2023 13:52

Not on its knees, it's face down in the mud 😕

Completely agree. Having lived through the 70s, we’re in a far worse state now than we were then.

IMustDoMoreExercise · 02/02/2023 16:03

TheNoonBell · 02/02/2023 13:47

It is the same all over Europe, strikes everywhere, healthcare failing etc.

They had a general strike in France earlier this week, never gets mentioned here in the UK as they like to pretend we are the only ones suffering (so they can blame brexit).

Exactly.

On the BBC news, they interviewed a hospital doctor who said that she would rather be a patient in the UK than France.

The whole of Europe is in a war albeit indirectly, so things are going to be very tough until the war is over.

Botw1 · 02/02/2023 16:04

@MarshaBradyo

So when I asked if you lived or worked in a deprived area the answer should have been, no, I wouldn't say deprived

Which would explain the idyllic everything's wonderful picture

IMustDoMoreExercise · 02/02/2023 16:04

There have been riots in Paris for the last few days because Marcron wants to increase the pension age from 62 to 64.

The whole of France has been on strike.

beautifulpaintings · 02/02/2023 16:05

IMustDoMoreExercise · 02/02/2023 16:03

Exactly.

On the BBC news, they interviewed a hospital doctor who said that she would rather be a patient in the UK than France.

The whole of Europe is in a war albeit indirectly, so things are going to be very tough until the war is over.

Show quote history

I don't know where these untruths are coming from about Europe. Also we can't equate one country with Europe - the country I live in is in Europe, but isn't France, and I can't see much that we have in common with the French. You just can't say 'the whole of Europe' - its too big and too different.