How do I reply?

Rishi had no idea how to use contactless even….so removed from reality!

I’d be inclined to just say you think she doesn’t know what it is like to struggle financially so perhaps not correct in her views?
I don’t see much evidence of Christian feeling in those views by the way !

As she is a good friend after many years and unlikely to change her views I would just say ‘we must agree to differ’ and move the conversation on. I have a similar friend, it’s a waste of effort to engage on political views.

oh dear, never bring politics into a friendship is my motto

Don’t we all have a friend that doesn’t ‘get it’ . I don’t think that you have to have experienced it to understand and empathise.
Mine thinks people who use food banks are scroungers.
I ignore her views, no good trying to change them and try and make sure the subject is avoided.

I agree that certain topics should be avoided, even between good friends. Last week a friend told me she wanted to give her sons (substantial) money from her Mother’s ‘estate’ but couldn’t because having in excess of £12K in the bank would affect their benefits. She asked my opinion and I had to say that I had no comment to make on that.

I think everyone is entitled to their opinion on A, B & C, just let it go. Your friendship is surely stronger and far more meaningful than not seeing nor realising an issue.

I have friends that are far removed from my own personal view on situations BUT I love them for who they are.

Dont let it spoil your friendship, IF the friendship is strong enough.

Don’t say anything.
Change the subject and stay away from anything controversial in future

FC's approach is probably best, though she's right about most people knuckling down during and after WW2 so you could just agree with that bit. Most people always have, always do, and always will knuckle down; there's no alternative.

If you feel you do need to tackle the attitude of your friend then collect facts: pre/ postNHS death figures for poorer socio economic groups, look at numbers employed in traditional 'labouring class ' jobs..docks, farming, building, mining, steel industries etc etc. postvwar. Those industries are decimated today compared to post war & employ far fewer people as do factories. Where does she think those comparable folk now work? The world has changed, technology has reduced the need for physical/"unskilled " labour but has not replaced with sufficient alternatives. There are political reasons why car production, shipbuilding & mining etc. stopped & no alternative work opportunities put in place. I beleve the gap between wealthiest & poorest in UK is much bigger now than it has ever been.

Also Matthew 25: 40 could be a start!
Good luck..hard choice to go with principle or risk a friendship.

Nothing to add to Serendipity's post.

Your friend had a different life to you with inherited wealth and can’t relate to poverty and all it entails. You have said you are opposite poles so let it go you are never going to agree. It’s a life long friendship and it’s worked so far just keep it going for old time sake.

Serendipity says it all for me but much more succinctly. For you S ?.

Thank you all! We’ve always agreed we can talk to each about anything-the old joke we have to stay friends cos we know too much about each other! ?
We do accept our differences. She does have the ear of influential government folk so I do know she passes on what I say so feel I can let them know what “Jo/Josephine public thinks”
Our friendship is so valuable to both of us-we’ve been through much together especially bereavements as well as happy family occasions too.

When did it become the "norm" to discuss politics with friends. I always understood that certain subjects were simply not discussed, politics, religion, your salary and bringing them up is simply bad manners. I certainly don't discuss it with friends or even family that's not having a fun time. I laugh at funny jokes on these subjects but do not give my preference or views. Funnily enough my sister who is 6 years older than me was saying that the group of retired teachers that she meets up with about every 6 weeks and has done for over 10 years is getting rather depressing as it is all about, illness, operations of their own or partners and often seems to be whose is the most distressing problem. She says she wants to send a message to everyone before the next meet up. I laughed at that and said only a teacher would send out a message with topics for discussion at their social events.

Politics and Religion - taboo subjects between friends !

This thread is making me think about my friends. I should say I don’t have many friends but those I do have are close. One has very different views on religion. Another differs on politics and another who is my very dearest friend has opposing views on covid. Somehow we’ve stayed friends all these years by tacitly agreeing to differ. “There is more that unites us than divides us.” I’ve no idea where this quote comes from.

Politics, Religion and Money in my books, unless between very close friends.

A lifelong friend is to be valued & cherished. I think if I you were face to face it would be more difficult to not speak out but as your contact is now via telephone & emails best to not force any issues, perhaps gently over time bring her attention to certain news items.

My almost 87 year old BIL has recently moved to this side of the country and has started to visit regularly. I love the old bugger dearly, but try to keep him off one of his favourite subjects, which is criticising anyone not British and anyone of colour. Otherwise he`s great.

My longstanding friends fall into three main groups..my school friends, my husband's school friends, friends ( neighbours) from when DH& I first shared a home. I would say we are all broadly similar in our political perspective..minor disagreements.. but we talk politics a lot of the time! Amongst more recent friends, made since moving 11 years ago, there is a wider range of political opinion..though we all agree the current cabinet is a disgrace.
Not sure I could be really close friends with someone with very different political views....

Your friend said "money can’t be made out of thin air", well she managed it. She inherited her wealth because someone before her did all the hard work. Alright for some. Not quite sure how you would get that across to her, but that is the gist of her wealth.

Wasn't there a program on that showed people with nets catching thin air and putting it into kilner glasses to sell on the internet?

I'm sorry, I don't know what to say, I can't find much in common with the socially right wing

I would just say, I’m sorry we will have to just agree to differ…