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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think the UK has become awful?

815 replies

ma1formed · 13/09/2023 20:26

I can't pinpoint when, but it feels like everything that was once pretty good is now quite awful

So expensive
No doctors
Uni costs for kids insane
Terrible rent / can't buy a house
Everyone seems quite unpleasant or racist

Is it just me?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
JamSandle · 13/09/2023 20:27

In some ways I agree but people make a place. I do think instead of complaining people should either do what they can to make there little corner better or try to start a life elsewhere.

I'm considering moving to Aus next year but I'm under no illusions it's a utopia.

BeautifulWar · 13/09/2023 20:32

Most people are nice IME: kind, polite, helpful, decent.

What do you mean there are no doctors?Since when?

MariaLuna · 13/09/2023 20:34

It's the fucking useless government innit....

Austerity, Brexit..

Never knew England had potholes....

5th biggest economy?? Really??

Where is the money going?

Not where it's needed, that's for sure.

Thementalloadisreal · 13/09/2023 20:35

I expect things have always been awful in some ways or others, but we have much more access to the details of the awfulness now.

Stifado · 13/09/2023 20:35

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

MrsRetriever · 13/09/2023 20:36

Life for a lot of people isn’t great at the moment but

  • everywhere is expensive
  • what do you mean by no doctors?
  • uni has been expensive for a while & there are other options
  • housing is shit or expensive in some areas but not everywhere
  • really? I don’t see this in my daily life at all.
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 13/09/2023 20:39

So expensive- tbh it’s not the expense it’s the wage compression, many many other comparable countries are more expensive but their wages are better

No doctors- yep the nhs now scares me

Uni costs for kids insane - I think times change, it wasn’t going to be free for ever. I think the bigger issue is lack of focus on labour / trade skills

Terrible rent / can't buy a house- yep awful!

Everyone seems quite unpleasant or racist- bullshit, compared to most other countries we are still one of the most integrated, inclusive welcoming countries

verdantverdure · 13/09/2023 20:40

It's the worst I can remember.

You can't even take the little ones for a paddle because the rivers and beaches have had actual human shit regularly dumped on them by our water companies.

And what does the government do?

Nothing.

Except try to gaslight us that it's a good thing because it's "nutrient pollution"

Give me strength.

csiaddict · 13/09/2023 20:41

Not to mention the postal service. There was a time when first class post meant delivered next day, and didn't cost the earth.

No chance of an NHS dentist.

Pot-holes in every road.

Don't want to be cynical but I sometimes feel that it's all part of a tory-master plan to run all public services into the ground so people are forced to go private and so line the pockets of all the tory-donors...

tescocreditcard · 13/09/2023 20:41

I'm in my 50's and I don't recognise the country I was born in. It has changed hugely, and not in a good way.

Jackydaytona · 13/09/2023 20:42

Tory slash and burn

Oldthyme · 13/09/2023 20:46

If only the Govt/local govt would do something, anything, to uplift us and some of the areas we have to live in.
Less tax, mend pot holes, cut grass and vegetation in public areas, scour graffiti away, sweep & wash our filthy streets and so on.
Just small things to uplift us and make the population feel valued and looked after.
In my area we do our own litter picking and other activities to make our village a nice place to live but when I go into the city, I’m appalled at the lack of investment to make our lives more pleasant. Very sad. Such a mess we’re in.

TrustPenguins · 13/09/2023 20:49

Depressing as it is, I do agree with those who say the country is in a mess.
Totally blame the Tories.

NutellaEllaElla · 13/09/2023 20:50

Compared to where? I swear people who bitch piss and moan about the UK so much haven't travelled. We're one of the best places to live in the world. Fair enough we can always improve, but we're not bad by any stretch.

nationallampoons · 13/09/2023 20:50

Agreed, it's completely depressing but I don't think any government can fix it. Labour are just as shit as the Tories

I'm pregnant and entitled to free dental but can I hell find a dentist. It's awful

VivienneViennetta · 13/09/2023 20:51

That’s the heady combination of a Conservative government and Brexit for you.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 13/09/2023 20:51

Labour are just as shit as the Tories this rubbish is why we have a Torie government!

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 13/09/2023 20:52

Oldthyme · 13/09/2023 20:46

If only the Govt/local govt would do something, anything, to uplift us and some of the areas we have to live in.
Less tax, mend pot holes, cut grass and vegetation in public areas, scour graffiti away, sweep & wash our filthy streets and so on.
Just small things to uplift us and make the population feel valued and looked after.
In my area we do our own litter picking and other activities to make our village a nice place to live but when I go into the city, I’m appalled at the lack of investment to make our lives more pleasant. Very sad. Such a mess we’re in.

How the hell would less tax help!!!!!

TheThinkingGoblin · 13/09/2023 20:53

NutellaEllaElla · 13/09/2023 20:50

Compared to where? I swear people who bitch piss and moan about the UK so much haven't travelled. We're one of the best places to live in the world. Fair enough we can always improve, but we're not bad by any stretch.

Compared to peer countries - US, Canada, Australia..as an example. Similar with EU countries.

The UK (England is driving it) has massively deteriorated, which is seen now by the noticeable reduction in the standard of living of the average person in the UK.

Its very noticeable if you travel abroad a lot. The country looks run down and in dire need of major investment.

Princessandthepea0 · 13/09/2023 20:54

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 13/09/2023 20:52

How the hell would less tax help!!!!!

Show quote history

All the tax is coming from those on PAYE and it isn’t sustainable any more.

Original poster
ma1formed · 13/09/2023 20:56

It does feel like it started with austerity and then brexit was the real downhill slide.

OP posts:
Basilthymerosemary · 13/09/2023 20:56

From the news everywhere is currently awful.

Make your home not awful- it's the only thing we can do.

jgw1 · 13/09/2023 20:57

ma1formed · 13/09/2023 20:26

I can't pinpoint when, but it feels like everything that was once pretty good is now quite awful

So expensive
No doctors
Uni costs for kids insane
Terrible rent / can't buy a house
Everyone seems quite unpleasant or racist

Is it just me?

Its the will of the people.

verdantverdure · 13/09/2023 20:57

VivienneViennetta · 13/09/2023 20:51

That’s the heady combination of a Conservative government and Brexit for you.

I read the other day that Brexit has now cost us more than 47 years of EEC & EU membership.

And what are we getting for it?

Nothing but problems

Teddleshon · 13/09/2023 20:57

The UK is one of the least racist countries on earth.

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