Westminstenders: It couldn't get any worse... Until today

[RedToothBrush]

We are trapped in the tailspin of the end of the UK. Firmly headed downward and getting more and more frenzied and desperate.

Even the most sensible of types like David Allen Green have finally noticed that Brexit isn't about leaving the EU it's about the frenzied and wilful destruction of our state instutions and structure. The collapse of the civil service, of our justice system, our democratic institutions and social order. All in the name of rule Britannia, a warped sense of taking back control to preserve an ideal that never existed and an idea of sovereignity that simply was a fantasy.

We move ever closer to Johnson becoming Prime Minister and a life under President Trump.

Joy.

Ode to Joy really isn't that bad.

Some vague allusion to UKIP "Kippers"? Or he's a twat. Both work for me.

LASH I am scared too. Yesterday's Trump rally chilled me to the core. But know this, there are many many people who reject this with all our hearts and who will continue to fight for equality and to repel this in any way we can.

It is completely terrifying on so many levels. I am worried we won't get another election, as I think many people both in US and UK were on the fence but have to be under no illusions now. I don't believe the majority in either country is racist or hating of the poor enough to vote Tory/Trump again, which makes me wonder when/if we will get the chance.

I know I’m mixing Brexit/Trump but the two events have always been in a wild dance together.

This is not so far fetched - think of the 1930s with Franco winning in Spain, Mussolini in Italy, Hitler in Germany - it seemed half of Europe fell under the spell of Fascism/Dictatorship.

In the UK now with a more moderate President like Obama still, would the Tory Government have been encouraged to see some sense? Instead we have Trump egging on Johnson and Farage and destroying an Ambassador. Despite our Government's fondling talking of a Special Relationship.

LASH I’d like to say don’t worry it will all be ok. But it really is shit right now.

A friends German au pair was told to “fuck off where you came from” That poor 18 year old was in the U.K. for a few months to improve her (already) excellent English.

We are getting a taste of what a lot of the population actually thinks. And it’s really ugly.

A friend's German au pair was told to “fuck off where you came from”

Horrible. But who was it? Young, old, male,female etc.

We shouldn't over estimate the numbers of racist people like this. (Nor underestimate them.) But isn't it mostly older people like my FiL who are literally a dying breed plus a few younger white male Tommy Robinson types.

It's horrid but it isn't that many... is it. Please tell me it isn't? How many do you know? I can think of one couple only plus FiL.

I despair at what is happening to humanity. What happened to caring about our fellow humans and wanting the best for everyone?

I'm horrified at how selfish our - elected - leaders are and how they came to grab power. And, in the UK, how our leaders' attitudes have changed to become more selfish and outright fascist.

While the Tories were obviously never Socialists, Thatcher's era politicians, and even through the Blair years, we didn't see the hard right attitudes being displayed now (even from politicians who now display those attitudes).

So what changed? What made it more acceptable to be thick (or appear to be) and selfish and - hard - right wing? Is it coincidence that as the popularity of social media has increased, so has the number of - frankly - godawful people?

I dunno. It would make a fascinating - if horrifying, I imagine - academic study for people.

On a base level I'm sure that a massive majority of people the world over are still decent humans. But somehow we've managed to vote in absolute horrors. It baffles me. It also baffles me how passive we - as in the population as a whole, not us lot here - are in just letting it happen. Though 'they' ignore us when we try to fight, so I think it's less apathy, more beaten down.

I'm on holiday atm.
Brexit heartlands in the NE.
I have not seen a single BAME person since we arrived.
It's only just struck me how odd that is.

As for May's speech...
She knows that she is on record doing/saying/writing all the things she is now condemning, right?
Does she think the electorate are that stupid?
The woman is deranged.

{It baffles me. It also baffles me how passive we - as in the population as a whole, not us lot here - are in just letting it happen.}

I am afraid this is the main reason that I (as a remain voter) think the UK NEEDS to leave. There, for some reason, is no fire in the almost half of the UK to really fight to remain. Is it some sort of feeling that 'it won't be too bad', a minimising of what can happen?
There have been a few well attended marches, and I presume smaller local protests but there should have been a far stronger opposition to the lies and rantings of the Leave campaigns.

But why @flouncyfanny? That's the bit I don't get! Being proud of being a dimwit is bizarre (to me, anyway!).

Some people flaunt their ignorance as a badge of honour.

The "I've never read a book and it hasn't done me any harm..." types.

Those that mock "experts".

There are plenty of them around.

No wonder our HV loved our bookcase crammed full of children's books, flouncy! Reading is a massive thing in our house.

Both kids get books at bedtime (DD - just 6 - is working through Roald Dahl with DH and DS - not quite 5 - is still on story books like the 'Ten Little...' series with me).

My first degree was Eng. Lit., so I really don't get the 'never read a book' pride. Books are awesome!

Me too, flouncy! 😂

I wanted to go to the Chalet School.

Look at Harry Hill, he trained as a doctor but would rather dress as a big-collared bald tit to make a living

how dare you. Harry Hills not exactly high brow humour. But he’s great and definitely not a tit.
Loved it when he went on Last Leg and congratulated them on their inclusive guest list for International Women’s Day. No one had though to invite a female guest and the presenters face was a picture.

From Guardian comment:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/18/african-uk-visa-rejections-home-office-global-britain

Add the sentiments in this, to the UK rejection of the EU, the relationship with the USA which in practical terms will be 'arms length' as opposed to having close relations and it becomes very depressing.
The UK appears to be heading towards being N Korea on sea. Isolationist and very unpleasant.
The chanting by Trumps followers last night is also disgusting.

I wonder if there is an element of sour grapes with the 'not reading' issue? Many in previous generations were perfectly able but were undereducated because e.g. of lack of money for the grammar school, or having to go out to work to help the family income, so they pretend that education doesn't matter.

Unfortunately among teacher friends I have heard the opinion expressed 'what can you expect from children like these?' Expect nothing and you won't be disappointed.
I also saw two teacher friends get into a big arguement about Secondary Moderns - one declared that you could remotivate children in them. The other asked why they were demotivated in the first place.

None of this applies to the likes of Boris Johnson though, except I am 100% sure that if he'd been a lad from a sink estate going to the worst sort of school he would have messed around at the back, and wouldn't have been indulged as he is now.