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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think "small boats" is an invented problem?

33 replies

DatumTarum · 23/08/2023 10:22

All secure, developed countries have 'underground' immigration which can be dealt with.

The amount of refugees we take compared to other (inc some smaller and poorer) countries is really quite small.

All the noise about it is sheer manipulation by the Tory party to get elected. To stoke up a fear of the 'other': vote for the nasty party and we will be nasty to the people you're scared of!!!

Why? Because their financial backers want to continue asset stripping the country.

I'm predicting another Tory gov next year.

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Peony654 · 23/08/2023 10:25

Agree. They are making an enormous deal of something that affects few people. But Tories think it makes them look good to be sorting it. They don’t know how to sort the NHS underfunding/cost of living /mental health crisis, so they’re focusing on something they think they can fix

WeetabixTowels · 23/08/2023 10:25

I 100% agree about another Tory government. Everyone I know thinks Labour is a fine deal. I tell them that they should never underestimate just actually how many ‘secret’ Tory voters there are.

WeetabixTowels · 23/08/2023 10:28

I think a lot of politicians only focus on topical issues.

For example, a section of the public are FURIOUS that Lucy Letby didn’t attend her sentencing hearing. They want her ‘kicking and screaming’ into the dock. Cue politicians in BOTH parties giving TV interviews about “I will change the law around this”. I mean, did they give a shit the day before when no one was kicking off? I doubt it!Focus on what affects us and not what you think we want to bloody hear you useless incompetent schisters

CallieJones · 23/08/2023 10:30

I agree.

lavenderlou · 23/08/2023 10:31

Dog-whistle politics

ethelredonagoodday · 23/08/2023 10:32

Totally agree. It's taking up far too much ministerial time and all the while, there's an absolute dearth of useful policy being made in other areas. I work in local govt and we have been waiting for the release of new guidance for one of our areas of work for 18 months now. Eighteen!

DatumTarum · 23/08/2023 10:33

In fact, I'd say it's actually in the interests of the Tory party to keep the small boats coming.

It gives the public something to focus on other than the rampant corruption at the heart of the government.

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DatumTarum · 23/08/2023 10:34

ethelredonagoodday · 23/08/2023 10:32

Totally agree. It's taking up far too much ministerial time and all the while, there's an absolute dearth of useful policy being made in other areas. I work in local govt and we have been waiting for the release of new guidance for one of our areas of work for 18 months now. Eighteen!

I'm also public sector and in a similar situation.

We badly need some ministerial time and we can't get it

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Iam4eels · 23/08/2023 10:35

Of course it's an invented problem. The government closed all the safe routes, cut staffing numbers to the departments that process applications and made it so that you can only claim asylum once you're physically in the UK so people have no choice but to risk getting here in order to do so.

Numbers could be vastly reduced by reopening safe routes, allowing people to apply for asylum from their country of origin/current country, and speeding up the processing time by streamlining it and increasing staffing.

But they won't because it makes a handy dead parrot for them whenever they need to whip up the populace as a distraction.

newnamethanks · 23/08/2023 10:36

Of course. All the Tories have got is culture wars and making people feel afraid. Unfortunately, they told their usual targets of hate to go back where they came from. And they did. So now they've only got the poor sods in boats. It'll be our turn next. Disabled, single mums, HB recipients, prepare to be in line for some public hate.

ethelredonagoodday · 23/08/2023 10:37

It's beyond irritating @DatumTarum.

Crikeyalmighty · 23/08/2023 10:39

The Tory's use it as a distraction to appeal to a certain type of voter- never mind that our councils have no money to keep care of the infrastructure or you can't get a specialist appointment in good time - keep your mind on 'small boats'

FriedasCarLoad · 23/08/2023 10:41

It's an enormous problem in a very small part of the country. If you're not in Kent, it'll almost certainly make zero difference to you.

Although I suppose it's problematic for national security when there's a route into the country which bypasses border checks, and in that sense it's potentially a problem for all of us.

DatumTarum · 23/08/2023 10:50

FriedasCarLoad · 23/08/2023 10:41

It's an enormous problem in a very small part of the country. If you're not in Kent, it'll almost certainly make zero difference to you.

Although I suppose it's problematic for national security when there's a route into the country which bypasses border checks, and in that sense it's potentially a problem for all of us.

I worked in Kent for awhile. No big deal.

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luckylavender · 23/08/2023 10:54

DatumTarum · 23/08/2023 10:33

In fact, I'd say it's actually in the interests of the Tory party to keep the small boats coming.

It gives the public something to focus on other than the rampant corruption at the heart of the government.

This

D1nopawus · 23/08/2023 11:27

DatumTarum · 23/08/2023 10:33

In fact, I'd say it's actually in the interests of the Tory party to keep the small boats coming.

It gives the public something to focus on other than the rampant corruption at the heart of the government.

I think you have just identified government policy.

SerendipityJane · 23/08/2023 11:43

In fact, I'd say it's actually in the interests of the Tory party to keep the small boats coming.

Not really sure how anyone who claims to have a brain could think otherwise, really. There are a lot of perverse incentives in government - and society in general.

The real issue of "small boats" is how it's being used to crowd out stories that we aren't supposed to hear.

MrsSkylerWhite · 23/08/2023 11:45

It’s a terrifying thought but I fear you may well be right about another Tory government. I don’t really recognise the country I was born and grew up in any more. Where has all of the hate come from?

SerendipityJane · 23/08/2023 11:54

MrsSkylerWhite · 23/08/2023 11:45

It’s a terrifying thought but I fear you may well be right about another Tory government. I don’t really recognise the country I was born and grew up in any more. Where has all of the hate come from?

One of the UKs crowning achievements isn't it ? It's been a lot of hard work, but we are getting there.

DatumTarum · 23/08/2023 11:56

SerendipityJane · 23/08/2023 11:43

In fact, I'd say it's actually in the interests of the Tory party to keep the small boats coming.

Not really sure how anyone who claims to have a brain could think otherwise, really. There are a lot of perverse incentives in government - and society in general.

The real issue of "small boats" is how it's being used to crowd out stories that we aren't supposed to hear.

Plenty of people are fail for it.

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ethelredonagoodday · 23/08/2023 17:37

MrsSkylerWhite · 23/08/2023 11:45

It’s a terrifying thought but I fear you may well be right about another Tory government. I don’t really recognise the country I was born and grew up in any more. Where has all of the hate come from?

Totally agree.

BIossomtoes · 23/08/2023 17:39

DatumTarum · 23/08/2023 10:33

In fact, I'd say it's actually in the interests of the Tory party to keep the small boats coming.

It gives the public something to focus on other than the rampant corruption at the heart of the government.

You’re right. It’s a classic “Look over here” tactic.

disluznews · 24/08/2023 15:25

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