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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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6
CoolFineDoneWicked · 15/03/2026 00:02

Goatsarebest · 14/03/2026 23:52

Freedom of movement didn't mean you could just get a job in another EU Country. You still had to compete for the job and if you can not compete in Ireland you wouldn't be competitive in any other EU Country where you can add language requirements and processes and systems less aligned with UK systems than Irish systems, to the mix.
So there might be a debate to be had about consequences on freedom of movement, but you can't use a headline that is just wrong and then accuse other people who don't vote how you want them to vote as being misinformed or dumb.

Yes but freedom of movement meant you had the right to reside in any EU country, regardless of job status. Now, you can't just go to an EU country as a tourist and look for a job, like you could before. In most of them you'd need to apply for one of a multitude of possible visas, some of which would prohibit you looking for work after the fact. It's a huge barrier.

TempestTost · 15/03/2026 00:24

You can still emigrate if you can find a country that wants you.

In any case, where do you think you would find a society without similar issues?

I think partisan civil servants is a terrible idea, however, that is already what is there, so... it's not Farage's fault, and unless it changes an overtly partisan cs is what will result whether Reform does it or someone else down the line. The civil service has really degraded.

HRTQueen · 15/03/2026 00:34

Viviennemary · 14/03/2026 23:52

I think Nigel Farage enjoys life far too much to want to be PM. Much more fun just sitting back telling everyone how you'd do it much better. I think he'd emigrate if he was elected

I agree

He likes to campaign, hang around on the very edges of Trumps team and cause disruption. He has finally got a seat in the HOP and can barely be bothered to stay in the country this will soon start bothering his supporters

TempestTost · 15/03/2026 00:37

catinateacup · 14/03/2026 23:58

Daft as a brush

Freedom of movement didn't mean you could just get a job in another EU Country.

That’s exactly what it meant 🤦‍♀️

Edited
  • Hello, M. Leblanc, I am moving to France and would like to work in your law firm.
  • Ah, oui, do you know any French, or anything about French law, or belong to the relevant professional organisations in France?
  • No, I am a member of the EU though, so I can work in any country.
  • ? Quel idiot!

I think you might have massively missed the point there.

TooBigForMyBoots · 15/03/2026 00:52

Partisan civil servants?

What do you mean?

Screamingabdabz · 15/03/2026 01:00

Yeah we get it…. Reform and brexit voters are thick as pig shit and should be rounded up, which is just plain old fashioned snobbery disguised as political commentary.

Funny how the left never offers a satisfactory alternative for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised.

Just more of the same economically disastrous woke idealism, bankrupt the country to pander to people who contribute nothing (at all ends of the spectrum). The low and middle income workers keeping the wheels on, breaking their backs and paying tax for every grabby opportunist, sex offending billionaires and feckless dope smoking dossers.

If the left really cared about people voting for these extreme parties they’d read the room - they’d prioritise society for people who work hard, abide by the law and do right by their kids.

TooBigForMyBoots · 15/03/2026 01:13

Screamingabdabz · 15/03/2026 01:00

Yeah we get it…. Reform and brexit voters are thick as pig shit and should be rounded up, which is just plain old fashioned snobbery disguised as political commentary.

Funny how the left never offers a satisfactory alternative for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised.

Just more of the same economically disastrous woke idealism, bankrupt the country to pander to people who contribute nothing (at all ends of the spectrum). The low and middle income workers keeping the wheels on, breaking their backs and paying tax for every grabby opportunist, sex offending billionaires and feckless dope smoking dossers.

If the left really cared about people voting for these extreme parties they’d read the room - they’d prioritise society for people who work hard, abide by the law and do right by their kids.

Reform are an economic disaster. Ignorant and arrogant. Just look at how they're performing in the councils they control.🙈

Nigel Farage, the owner of Reform, is a workshy traitor whose lack of commitment and work ethic is laid bare on an almost daily basis, along with his contempt for the UK and British people.

Therefore I'm not inclined to think favourably regarding the intelligence of Reform voters. I think most of them are being manipulated by an experienced shyster.🤷‍♀️

CoolFineDoneWicked · 15/03/2026 01:32

Screamingabdabz · 15/03/2026 01:00

Yeah we get it…. Reform and brexit voters are thick as pig shit and should be rounded up, which is just plain old fashioned snobbery disguised as political commentary.

Funny how the left never offers a satisfactory alternative for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised.

Just more of the same economically disastrous woke idealism, bankrupt the country to pander to people who contribute nothing (at all ends of the spectrum). The low and middle income workers keeping the wheels on, breaking their backs and paying tax for every grabby opportunist, sex offending billionaires and feckless dope smoking dossers.

If the left really cared about people voting for these extreme parties they’d read the room - they’d prioritise society for people who work hard, abide by the law and do right by their kids.

I don't think you need to be rounded up. You're doing a brilliant job of isolating the UK all by yourselves, rounding yourselves up.

Vote for whoever you like, just don't expect people to respect you for falling for this grift over and over again. Farage has been playing the same big con for decades - UKIP, The Brexit Party, Reform. They're not even real political parties in the later iterations - why bother? His fans are like those old dears who fall for romance scams on Facebook and send their life savings to some bloke in Ghana.

And if you think he's not up to his elbows in the arses of billionaires, Russian oligarchs and other miscreants, then yes, you are thick as pigshit. He is the grabby opportunist, and he has zero interest in the ordinary workers beyond fleecing them to keep his scams going.

Yellowshirt · 15/03/2026 01:56

I don't think the country can get much worse than it is now.

We have been absolutely flooded with migrants and its a disaster waiting to happen. They have just been moved out of a hotel in Shropshire and given brand new houses.

The taxes are already high and yet working class people are getting absolutely nothing back. I honestly don't see the point anymore in going to work to see taxes continuely wasted. It's not a fair tax system at all. I will be better off and have less stress if I don't work so what's the point.

I don't think Farage is the answer at all but Labour just isn't working.

The greens don't want a military and want to legalise drugs so they are not getting my vote.

So I'll look to see if the conservatives can actually make decisions and fix the country but they were a disgrace before Labour got in. Otherwise I'll reluctantly vote Reform.

Neurodiversitydoctor · 15/03/2026 02:33

Screamingabdabz · 15/03/2026 01:00

Yeah we get it…. Reform and brexit voters are thick as pig shit and should be rounded up, which is just plain old fashioned snobbery disguised as political commentary.

Funny how the left never offers a satisfactory alternative for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised.

Just more of the same economically disastrous woke idealism, bankrupt the country to pander to people who contribute nothing (at all ends of the spectrum). The low and middle income workers keeping the wheels on, breaking their backs and paying tax for every grabby opportunist, sex offending billionaires and feckless dope smoking dossers.

If the left really cared about people voting for these extreme parties they’d read the room - they’d prioritise society for people who work hard, abide by the law and do right by their kids.

I don' t disagree but it is the top 10% of earners pay 60% of all tax. It isn't the low and middle earners at all.

TooBigForMyBoots · 15/03/2026 02:56

Yellowshirt · 15/03/2026 01:56

I don't think the country can get much worse than it is now.

We have been absolutely flooded with migrants and its a disaster waiting to happen. They have just been moved out of a hotel in Shropshire and given brand new houses.

The taxes are already high and yet working class people are getting absolutely nothing back. I honestly don't see the point anymore in going to work to see taxes continuely wasted. It's not a fair tax system at all. I will be better off and have less stress if I don't work so what's the point.

I don't think Farage is the answer at all but Labour just isn't working.

The greens don't want a military and want to legalise drugs so they are not getting my vote.

So I'll look to see if the conservatives can actually make decisions and fix the country but they were a disgrace before Labour got in. Otherwise I'll reluctantly vote Reform.

I don't think the country can get much worse than it is now.

I remember this exact argument being used by Leave voters in 2015.🤨 It can get worse. Much worse.🙄

MissingSockDetective · 15/03/2026 03:11

It's like a test that many will fail. If you can't see that Farage is only in it to make himself and his mates millions then that's rather sad. He pretends to have the backs of the very people he clearly despises, people who are vulnerable and easily led into voting for him. Some people in this country have become so entitled, they've lost sight of reality.

This country could absolutely be worse, in many, many ways we are very lucky. It is sad how people struggle to see that. Also, thank goodness we've someone with a calm head in charge right now.

Meadowfinch · 15/03/2026 03:43

TooBigForMyBoots · 14/03/2026 21:21

If Reform win the next election the UK is over. But don't worry about everyone, Farage's children have dual nationality. As do Boris Johnson's. David Cameron's family have enough money that it doesn't matter.🤷‍♀️

No it isn't finished. It'll be a grim 5 years followed by a return to centrist politics once Labour, the Tories and the LibDems have cleared out their old guard.
We'll have the reset uk politics badly needs, and people should stay around and make sure that happens, not give up and run away.

Screamingabdabz · 15/03/2026 08:33

CoolFineDoneWicked · 15/03/2026 01:32

I don't think you need to be rounded up. You're doing a brilliant job of isolating the UK all by yourselves, rounding yourselves up.

Vote for whoever you like, just don't expect people to respect you for falling for this grift over and over again. Farage has been playing the same big con for decades - UKIP, The Brexit Party, Reform. They're not even real political parties in the later iterations - why bother? His fans are like those old dears who fall for romance scams on Facebook and send their life savings to some bloke in Ghana.

And if you think he's not up to his elbows in the arses of billionaires, Russian oligarchs and other miscreants, then yes, you are thick as pigshit. He is the grabby opportunist, and he has zero interest in the ordinary workers beyond fleecing them to keep his scams going.

I’m not a reform voter - I agree they’re corrupt and a rag tag bunch without credibility, but insulting the people who do vote for them misses the point. They’re not looking for ‘respect’ from the likes of you. They’re voting for an idea of ‘change’ which the other parties are failing to deliver because like you, they have an elitist snob laden attitudes towards the working poor, don’t listen and don’t learn.

twentyeightfishinthepond · 15/03/2026 09:07

APatternGrammar · 14/03/2026 21:08

Your UK passport enables you to live in Ireland so they‘d have to

Including Southern Ireland?

twentyeightfishinthepond · 15/03/2026 09:13

You’re right @Screamingabdabzbut they are going to be sorely disappointed by that grifter. Can’t people even see how he treats his constituents? He can’t be arsed.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 15/03/2026 09:24

CoolFineDoneWicked · 14/03/2026 23:58

I agree. Poisoned chalice, it's the last thing he wants. He's far too good of a grifter to put himself in the position of having to do actual work. He'll probably pull a similar trick as in 2019 and back the Tories at the last minute. Or sack off the whole thing in the next twelve months in favour of the US right wing media circuit.

I think he's probably done a deal with Robert Jenrick - Farage clearly doesn't want to be PM so will step down and let Jenrick lead if Reform is elected.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 15/03/2026 09:27

Screamingabdabz · 15/03/2026 01:00

Yeah we get it…. Reform and brexit voters are thick as pig shit and should be rounded up, which is just plain old fashioned snobbery disguised as political commentary.

Funny how the left never offers a satisfactory alternative for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised.

Just more of the same economically disastrous woke idealism, bankrupt the country to pander to people who contribute nothing (at all ends of the spectrum). The low and middle income workers keeping the wheels on, breaking their backs and paying tax for every grabby opportunist, sex offending billionaires and feckless dope smoking dossers.

If the left really cared about people voting for these extreme parties they’d read the room - they’d prioritise society for people who work hard, abide by the law and do right by their kids.

And how has Brexit improved the lives of the disadvantaged and disenfranchised exactly?

PandoraSocks · 15/03/2026 09:34

I don't think Reform will win the next GE. Their bubble is slowly deflating. Also there is the problem of finding candidates. Reform's vetting has been poor to date as we have seen. If vetting is improved the number of candidates actually able to pass it will shrink even further.

I am in Wales and there are Senedd elections in 7 weeks. Reform has not announced a single candidate yet.

5128gap · 15/03/2026 09:36

In the unlikely event Reform win the next election, they will not last long. They are highly dependent upon the vote of the dissatisfied, disadvantaged and lower social and economic level of the electorate, who currently believe they can stop immigration and that this will make their lives better.
They believe there will be more housing, less crime, higher income, better services. Yet nothing Reform have pledged to do will result in any of these things.
Reduced welfare, the depletion of the NHS, fewer employment rights, the rich taking an even greater wealth share, and a vague statement about immigration but with no clear plan about how this will be feasible in practice.
Reforms popularity is dependent on never being in a position to govern as that way they remain the mythical 'solution' without being required to solve anything.
The majority of their supporters would be worse off under their administration and a gap will be created for a new 'solution'. Maybe a swing to the left.

twentyeightfishinthepond · 15/03/2026 09:39

The worst of it is, if he did get in, we’d have someone in charge with the same politics as Trump. We’d be knee deep in war right now.

CoolFineDoneWicked · 15/03/2026 14:21

Screamingabdabz · 15/03/2026 08:33

I’m not a reform voter - I agree they’re corrupt and a rag tag bunch without credibility, but insulting the people who do vote for them misses the point. They’re not looking for ‘respect’ from the likes of you. They’re voting for an idea of ‘change’ which the other parties are failing to deliver because like you, they have an elitist snob laden attitudes towards the working poor, don’t listen and don’t learn.

Yes, yes, I bought into all this patrician, don't-treat-them-like-idiots schtick after Brexit. I duly acknowledged that all these noble, hard working, simple Jack-and-Vera folk just wanted change*.

Well, they got change, and they now regret voting for Brexit, and they're still supporting Farage.

So no, they're morons. Stupid is as stupid does.

*even though, in reality, all the Brexit voters I know seemed to really dislike change - specifically the change in skin colour of people in towns they didn't even live in.

Yellowshirt · 15/03/2026 16:42

MissingSockDetective · 15/03/2026 03:11

It's like a test that many will fail. If you can't see that Farage is only in it to make himself and his mates millions then that's rather sad. He pretends to have the backs of the very people he clearly despises, people who are vulnerable and easily led into voting for him. Some people in this country have become so entitled, they've lost sight of reality.

This country could absolutely be worse, in many, many ways we are very lucky. It is sad how people struggle to see that. Also, thank goodness we've someone with a calm head in charge right now.

Calm head? You mean a head that can't make simple decisions. Any decision he makes he then backtracks and changes his mind.
Don't worry though I'm sure he will find money for welfare/benefits, immigration and rich pensioners who already bought cheap houses and have savings.
Just forget people going out to work everyday struggling with rent/mortgages and cost of living. I really appreciate the calm head.

Yellowshirt · 15/03/2026 16:46

5128gap · 15/03/2026 09:36

In the unlikely event Reform win the next election, they will not last long. They are highly dependent upon the vote of the dissatisfied, disadvantaged and lower social and economic level of the electorate, who currently believe they can stop immigration and that this will make their lives better.
They believe there will be more housing, less crime, higher income, better services. Yet nothing Reform have pledged to do will result in any of these things.
Reduced welfare, the depletion of the NHS, fewer employment rights, the rich taking an even greater wealth share, and a vague statement about immigration but with no clear plan about how this will be feasible in practice.
Reforms popularity is dependent on never being in a position to govern as that way they remain the mythical 'solution' without being required to solve anything.
The majority of their supporters would be worse off under their administration and a gap will be created for a new 'solution'. Maybe a swing to the left.

But your list is what does need fixing in the country. Labour just will not fix anything.
Some of it like housing is very basic to fix as well.

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