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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

You are given the power to make three things illegal. What would you choose?

705 replies

SpringSunshineanddaffodils · 27/04/2025 08:40

I know people will post silly things that irritate them but think seriously. What three things would you make completely illegal right now?
Here's mine:

  1. The right to buy your council house
  2. Owning more than one property.
  3. Not keeping your cat contained in your own home. With hefty fines if it is caught killing any wildlife.
OP posts:
Morningup · 27/04/2025 09:31

Cakeonthefloor · 27/04/2025 09:29

270 million small animals and birds killed by pet cats in the UK. Some states in Australia have banned them from being allowed out. Pet cats exist in a density that would never occur naturally. There are many people who would support a ban on free roaming cats.

Source?
Time period?

Amiunemployable · 27/04/2025 09:31

Building new homes/housing estates that don't comply/have the following:

Solar Panels
Those super eco boilers
Shutters on windows
Basically making sure new homes have all the things that will help prepare new properties for climate change, extreme heat, flooding, etc. And as eco-friendly as possible.

For a certain number of houses/people, they also need to provide amenities such as new schools, doctors, shops, etc. So that current ones don't get overwhelmed/oversubscribed

And if it's a two bedroom for example not giving the main bedroom an ensuite and as a result having the 2nd room be a tiny box! Why does a 2 bed need an ensuite???

outlanderish · 27/04/2025 09:31
  1. If should be illegal to claim benefits if you are fully capable to work but never worked a day in your life. You should be prosecuted immediately, it's too soft now.
  2. Illegal to have children if you cannot physically afford to have them, support them or look after them. There's too many children growing up in poverty and care.
  3. The cost of houses should be illegal. It's literally brick and mortar. There should be a set cost per m2.
JulyJourney · 27/04/2025 09:31

I think that the OP is right and cats will eventually have to be kept inside. We're learning more about ecosystems all the time. 15 years ago nobody would have predicted that we'd have no mow May.
Mine things that should be illegal are:

  1. Vapes
  2. Owning a huge vehicle without a need for one
  3. Sheep grazing on higher ground.
FlakyCritic · 27/04/2025 09:31
  1. Motorbikes. I hate, and loathe motorbikes.
  2. Dogs in cafes and on transport (bar Guide Dogs of course)
  3. Very very loud speakers who practically shout and scream and you can hear them the next suburb over. One man in our local town talks at top volume (not drunk, nothing wrong with him, he just talks very, very loudly) and you can hear him from one end of the supermarket to other end.
Berryslacks · 27/04/2025 09:31

SpringSunshineanddaffodils · 27/04/2025 08:54

I am deadly serious on number 3.

I have no idea why you are bringing up strays. I said "your cat" as in owned cats. I am very clearly not talking about strays.

Of course there are several naturally occuring wildlife predators. They are a complelty different kettle of fish though, aren't they?

Domestic cats are being cared for and fed by humans, they have their medical needs met. This means they occur in FAR greater numbers than they would occur naturally, and have a completely unfair advantage over native wildlife. Plus, they kill for fun, rarely for food. They are endangering birds, hedgehogs and many other rodents. They are a serious problem.

I understand the concern regarding birds. We have lots of hedgehogs I have never seen them the slightest bit bothered by cats. I have seen both hedgehogs and cats happily munching hedgehog food together. Endangering rodents do you mean mice and rats? They can endanger those furry bastards as much as they like. I don’t have a cat anymore but loads where we live we have a large garden and I like to see various cats pottering about.

TroysMammy · 27/04/2025 09:32

Grey jogging bottoms
Parking on the opposite of the carriageway
Only allowing three things to be made illegal.

GagaBinks · 27/04/2025 09:34

I've got loads. These immediately stand out:

  1. Piercing your baby's ears.
  2. Make it illegal for mortgage lenders to ignore rental payment history
  3. Make corporate tax avoidance illegal

And if I could have a fourth then unpaid internships.

Gall10 · 27/04/2025 09:34
  1. cats shitting in other people’s gardens…. should be culled on the spot
  2. children sitting (worse still, standing) in shopping trollies…banned from all supermarkets
  3. buskers/ street performers using amplification…instant 10 yrs solitary!
notsureyetcertain · 27/04/2025 09:35

Most of the things that bother me are illegal and people do them anyway!

but off the top of my head -

Taking longer than a week to get a doctors/dentist appointment

Dismissing women’s health issues as anxiety

Companies/devices not answering the phone within five minutes and it has to be an actual person not a machine.

ASimpleLampoon · 27/04/2025 09:35

1). Not paying child support, including fiddling your income, going self employed etc to avoid paying it. You create a child you pay for the child. Every child you produce not just the do over kids you had when you decided you were ready to be a father. Yes I said father not parent. Not sorry.

  1. filming an autistic /ND person \child in distress without their consent and broadcasting it without their consent, unless to privately show to a medical professional or similar with 'the aim of getting specific support.

  2. electric scooters

5128gap · 27/04/2025 09:35

Fathering a child without the means to and intention of supporting them.
Paying the highest earners in any company or organisation more than 5 times the amount of the lowest earners.
Inheritance to a single beneficiary in excess of £500k.

HazelBite · 27/04/2025 09:35

I agree wholeheartedly with the leggings haters you seldom see anyone who really looks vaguely okay in them.
Also lip fillers! I'm getting disturbed and distracted by the number of friends and acquaintances who have lately morphed into ducks!
Also if you are a responsible cat owner you should be maintaining a clean cat litter tray, no self respecting cat will like using a dirty tray and will prefer to go outside.

Leafy74 · 27/04/2025 09:35

This reply has been deleted

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BunnyRuddington · 27/04/2025 09:36

Emotionalsupporthamster · 27/04/2025 08:47

  1. overpoliteness at roundabouts (just go, it’s your right of way!)
  2. dressing up days at school
  3. moaning about cats

Can I add overpolitness when I’m pulling out of the drive? People will stop and want je to pull out but 99% of the time they are blocking the way I want to go. Just keep driving and get out of the flipping way! Grin

howshouldibehave · 27/04/2025 09:36

Sending children to school in nappies!

If they do start in nappies, schools should be able to automatically claim some additional money per child (via a simple tick box form) to enable them to employ someone to support with changing nappies and potty training.

cadburyegg · 27/04/2025 09:37
  1. Smartphones for under 14s
  2. Not paying child maintenance, get rid of the loopholes that currently exist (self employment etc). The whole system needs a shake up
  3. Vaping unless you have previously smoked
biggerboat · 27/04/2025 09:37

Parkrun walkers starting at the front causing a pile up/bottle neck

Buggies at parkrun

Dogs at parkrun (I say this as a dog owner who once took dog to parkrun - v bad idea. Dangerous for all)

METR0NOMY · 27/04/2025 09:37

pornography
factory farming
soap sweets

myfitbitisfucked · 27/04/2025 09:37

RipleyJones · 27/04/2025 08:50

Wearing skin coloured leggings 🫣

Accompanied by white ribbed sports socks pulled up high and some sort of cropped puffer bonnet jacket and a face loaded with makeup including massive laminated brows, false eyelashes and a scowl.

KIlliePieMyOhMy · 27/04/2025 09:38

EmeraldShamrock000 · 27/04/2025 08:55

Enabling people to buy council properties builds communities, otherwise you have a revolving door, many times with antisocial behaviour.
This would not benefit society.

The government should be building consistently as the population grows.

Owning more than one property, is ridiculous, if people have the money, it is their right.

As are the cat rules.

I would change the law making it mandatory for absent parents to pay child maintenance or go to jail.

20 year minimum sentence for rape.

Pedophiles are castrated.

I grew up on a council estate. My parents had their same council house for 50 years.
Not a revolving door.

Dogaredabomb · 27/04/2025 09:38
  1. The police
  1. People who police others
  1. People who wish they could police others
PineappleChicken · 27/04/2025 09:38

Posting photos/videos of under 18’s (including your own) online in any capacity.

PineappleChicken · 27/04/2025 09:39

Dogaredabomb · 27/04/2025 09:38

  1. The police
  1. People who police others
  1. People who wish they could police others

Well, that’s just fucking stupid.

GoPissGirl · 27/04/2025 09:39

1 Pornography
2 Dogs off the lead in a non-designated area
3 Scrunch-bum leggins

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