chris955

Oh how we have missed you

Pistolpete2

The racism was always there but those on the receiving end have changed somewhat or is it just expanded or depends upon the mix of minorities in terms of nationality or religion in any given area as to how the heat is dispersed.

I enjoy listening to Jeremy Vine on Radio 2. There isn't a day that goes by that he isn't gobsmacked by the mean-spirited nature of modern-day Britain and says so.

The saddest thing is that the fear is actually being stoked by 'leading' politicians for political ends, while nobody lets actual facts get in the way of supposition.

chris955

I dont mind Jeremy Vine but he is a bit tabloid in his approach to things. If 99 people do the right thing and one does the wrong thing one guess who he will concentrate on. In my travels around the UK I dont see this mean spirited country, in fact just the opposite, we are gobsmacked by how friendly and helpful people generally are. There are exceptions but that is true of anywhere. Nun has a somewhat jaundiced view of this country that thankfully few share.
Like anywhere in the world the UK has racists, it always has and sadly always will. There are far fewer than many other countries and fewer than the other country I have lived in.

nun

I'm prone to the "things aren't what they used to be" mentality.

I hope that I get proved wrong in my low opinion of a lot of what goes on in the UK, and I hope that my view is biased by concentration too much on Daily Mail headlines....but I have seen tacit acceptance of Xenophobia creep into UK politics from UKIP, wash over the Tories and it is now lapping at Labour as they panic that if they have liberal migration/immigration policies they will lose the next election.

There are many good things about the UK, but being complacent about how good things are isn't one of them. Being an old socialist radical it's hard to be optimistic when I look at today's Britain, but at least there's beer and the National Theatre.

chris955

Of course things arent what they used to be, they arent anywhere. I grew up in Australia in the 60's and 70's and I can tell you that things arent what they used to be there either, as you would expect.
I find it extremely easy to be optimistic about todays Britain, believe me we wouldnt have bought our kids here if it was even remotely like you seem to think it is. Of course I can only comment from the perspective of actually living here.

colchar

Cameron does not think it is better to stay in the EU but the Lib-Dems do and, because he is in a coalition government with them, he is giving in so as not to lose power. If the Tories were governing with a majority government their position would be different.

colchar

There are many who would argue the Powell was proven right.

dunroving

Yes, I don't quite understand why so many people have difficulty grasping the concept of a coalition government.

I see Lib Dem voters on telly bleating about how they have been "betrayed" by the Lib Dems, and Conservative voters on telly bleating about how they have been "betrayed" by the Conservatives.

The fact is, if you end up in a coalition, you can't keep all of your election promises, you have to accept there will be com-promises.

nun

I know, that's what depresses me! I can understand the economic fear people might have connected with migration, even if study after study shows that immigrants are a net positive to a society. I have no time at all for any opinions based on perceive moral or ethical differences between nationalities or races.....and I've been increasingly hearing that.

Sally Redux

That is certainly a worry.

Harvester523

The problem is, Chris, that you can only comment from the perspective of living within means that many people can only dream of. You don't have to live in a built up area, you don't need a job.
I for one, am glad that I don't have to worry about the world my kids will inherit (only my stepkids).
I'm really getting tired of the head in the sand mentality.
Why am I here if I'm not repatriating? Because I'd love to live in an England that hadn't been ruined. Unless this is "a local thread for local people", I'm entitled. I left the UK because of what it became. It hasn't improved. I'm still waiting for someone to tell me what's better - something some people have studiously ignored.
I now have to wait for my pension for another 6 years. Fine, but you can't do that to people without giving them enough years to plan for it!
I wish I had your optimism Chris!! But you can't live on optimism.

chris955

Dont be too worried, they would be a small minority.

chris955

The good thing is you can easily live in an England that hasnt been ruined, it is exactly the one I live in. I think lots of things have improved since we last lived here, we find the country much more affordable in many ways, much greater choice and variety of everything from food to cars, most people seem to have a better standard of living. There are many things we personally find better now. Disagree of course but obviously it wont affect the way I think or my attitude to life here.
I dont need to live on optimism, that doesnt stop me being optimistic.

Sally Redux

Why 'ruined' though?

chris955

Yes, good question. As someone who lives here I see no evidence of anything being ruined. It is still very much a wonderful country to live in.