To think my niece doesn’t really get a say on how good or bad she thinks the budget is

[Dennien]

I’m a single mum, I work full time, I have 3 children and I just about get by.
My niece is 26, she makes almost 100k (got lucky, was in the right rooms either the right people), and inherited 500k from her paternal grandparents.
She doesn’t have uni debt, she doesn’t have childcare costs. She happily pays £500 a month for a fancy London gym, lives in a flat share with her best friend etc.
Today she told me she didn’t think the budget went far enough etc. that Labour are useless and so on. She is a Lib Dem/Tory voter and very against reform too.

AIBU to say that young people in a privileged position shouldn’t really get to comment as they aren’t facing the same difficulties others are.

Even as a high earner family. I don't go around and say "oh look at me. I'm so much better. Just work harder".

I might think things, I'd never say them.

You might feel differently if you had had the childhood this successful young person has battled through, and a person like the OP sneering at your success.

No one has said that she’s ’going round’ saying these things. ‘Going round’ where? It appears it’s come up in a conversation about politics with someone she believes to be a close and loving(!) family member.

@Carandache18 @OopOop you make a fair point. I do agree with the niece anyway.

@Medexpert, I am totally with you on this. I see on MN and I think there seems to be a growing sentiment in the country of resentment towards aspiration, success and wealth.

The narrative speaks of “luck”and of suspicion towards those that have succeeded. People that are on lower incomes are on the defence.

We all make life choices as adults and yes, our upbringing does impact on the decisions we make. Of course for some people picking themselves up from generational dysfunction, neglect and or abuse is not easy. But some people do!

People seem to really resent inheritance. I have never inherited a thing! But even with inheritance, comes hard work, decision making and judgment.

I have family members and friends, that because of their decision making, life choices and lack of aspiration, will always be struggling or in debt. No amount of child benefits or UC top ups are going to affect their decision making. And I do empathise!

I have one child! Not by choice but having one child has allowed me to give her much more than I could if I had 3.

Ok, I am going to say it. I am one of 8, 3 different dads. Grew up on child benefit and the rest. I made the decision to live a very different life to the way I was brought up.

I am now in the top 10% of income earners. Nothing I have achieved is by luck. I have worked very hard. I used to work for the NHS. But burnt out! Got back on my feet.

I am not going to let jealous people diminish my achievements. We should all, no matter what our circumstances raise our aspirations.

There, I have had my rant for the day!

I agree with you exactly. There's a thread on middle earners and another thread were someone is worse off due to the budget. The replies are full of jealousy, envy and "boo hoo you're rich"

@EyeSpeyEyes, I know I am watching them. Wow, is this the country that we have become?

None of your arguments even matter. She is an adult citizen paying taxes, as are you.

You don't have any more right to a say than she does.

The fact she doesn't seem to have any empathy is a completely different point. That might make her a bit of a twat, but it doesn't remove her right to being part of democracy.

This is an interesting thread. Got to be honest, I’m grateful to the niece - she (and people like her) funded my hospital appointment earlier today. She is paying lots of tax and probably costs the state very little. Yes, her gym sounds expensive for my taste but I’ll bet they employ some people (who pay tax) and pay business rates.

I remember being young and earning good money (not as much as the niece but still pretty good). It was great! Is life really to be all grind and hardship?

The niece is exactly the kind of person I’d love to invite to a care leaver workshop meet the young folk who are in care. Discuss her outcomes , her drive.

Agree too. Depressing

If niece has made it in the entertainment industry then props to her. Yes, there's often an element of being in the right place at right time/catching a break, but that's always been the way. I bet there were 100 other singers that could've been the next Taylor Swift but didn't quite make it too.

Surely you know you're being ridiculous.

Well, there is also "an element of luck" in being born in one of the richest countries in the world.

However you frame it, she would not have been successful if she hadn't put an extraordinary amount of work in

She sounds luckier by the day. She lost her dad at a very young age, her grandparents in close succession AND she spent time in care. Such luck.

The argument that the niece is lucky can also be turned around. The OP is lucky to live in a country with a social safety net and benefits for families/single parents. It isn't a given everywhere.

Bloody hell - this is getting a bit outing now, isn't it? Do you want to add her address and NI Number?