Little Britain - the state of England today

MissAdventure

So, what are you doing about it?

As I am sure that you are aware I live in France so there's not a lot I can do physically. Apart from anything else I am 74 and not physically fit. However, I campaign and I donate.

So, what are you doing about it?

Alegrias1

I grew up in a 2 room flat with a shared toilet on the landing outside. I like to think it makes me appreciate some of the issues faced by people today who aren't as lucky as me, sitting in my 4-bedroom 2-bathroom house.

Keep posting Dinahmo.

Thank you. My sentiments exactly which is why I mentioned my own home. Most of us seem to have acheived quite a lot in terms of housing which is why I'm so shocked about the conditions for many families in the UK today.

Dinahmo

"Art in schools? I'm more worried about the mental health of our children and young people. They need to socialise and play and catch up on the basics. Art, music and drama will play a part I'm sure. It's not only 'Little England' where this is a problem surely."

Art, music and drama will help the mental health of children. Also the UK has over the centuries produced excellent practitioners of all 3 disciplines. The orchestras and ballet companies are world renowned. As regards acting - the US produces film stars whilst the UK produces great actors who are far more versatile than most American actors.

I can remember when I was 18 hitching a lift with a young couple who were involved in art therapy in schools. A few years ago I knew an art teacher who was about to lose her job in a school because of (this) government cuts. It was the Conservatives who sold off school playing fields. Don’t they say that exercise and being outdoors is good for our mental well being? Leicestershire schools were renowned for the quality of their music teaching in schools. That went. Then again Johnson wanted children to learn Latin because he thought it would be good for them. That’s how far removed from reality he is.

Gwyneth

MaizieD just out of interest what evidence have you got that people who give of their time voluntarily to support others vote and support the current government? In truth, I find this statement quite offensive and hurtful.

Some years ago I could have given you several. I was treasurer of a Save the Children Fundraising branch for 20 years when I lived in Suffolk. They had just lost their treasurer and a friend asked me if I would take it on. I happened to be at a time in my life when I thought I ought to do some charitable work. Most of the other ladies on the committee were in their 60's and all bar one were Tories. They came from the upper echelons of local society and had good contacts. At one point one of them was Women's Captain of the local golf club. The club celebrated its 100th anniversary and they threw a golf day for SCF. The provided the catering and the raffle and other prizes and the charity ended up with £10,000. This was 30 years ago so pretty good going.

To answer your question - they did support others and did support the Tories. Our MP then was John Selwyn Gummer (of burger fame) who was an excellent constituency MP. He was supportive of many community activities and was very knowledgeable about the various groups that existed back in the 80s and 90s.

Mamardoit yes, I did mean 'that' John Major, who by the way, I didn't vote for, nor have I ever voted for any Conservative candidate
Do you not find it concerning that a naturally right wing politican criticises the current regime of corruption, jingoism and dog whistle politics?
They are devoid of any shred of morality, decency or truth

Ellianne

No country is better or worse, just different. They all have their problems, as I was pointing out looking back over the centuries. What we see is just a snapshot.
I would live back in France in a flash, I would laugh at the foibles of my own country back home, but I wouldn't constantly criticise and dwell on everything negative in England from my new lofty tower.
A lot of people do care everywhere you go and are trying to make a difference. That is why we object to stereotyping.

Firstly take a look at my last post above and then tell me that I am constantly criticising the UK.

You may think I have a lofty tower - I don't. We just chose to swap a cottage in Suffolk for a piece of land in France and a modernist house. I am sure that there are many of you on here who live in houses that are worth a lot more than our Suffolk cottage.

To answer someone else - I don't think I'm privileged - possibly lucky, but maybe not because house prices in France are nowhere near as expensive as those in England apart from some areas - the same ones as in England - cities, coast etc.

"Art in schools? I'm more worried about the mental health of our children and young people. They need to socialise and play and catch up on the basics. Art, music and drama will play a part I'm sure. It's not only 'Little England' where this is a problem surely."

Art, music and drama will help the mental health of children. Also the UK has over the centuries produced excellent practitioners of all 3 disciplines. The orchestras and ballet companies are world renowned. As regards acting - the US produces film stars whilst the UK produces great actors who are far more versatile than most American actors.

Alegrias1

Henning Wehn, famous German , on charities

“We don’t do charity in Germany. We pay taxes. Charity is a failure of governments’ responsibilities.”

I agree with Henning. There is not the proliferation of charities in France that there are in the UK because the French think that the govt should be dealing with the problems. Obviously there's Medecins sans Frontieres, there's the SPA and several smaller animal charities. In the autumn there's a collection of food and other items that takes place over a few weekends for Resto au coeur and a Telethon - which I haven't seen.

Ellianne

The complaints being discussed here are timeless and universal. We recognise them all.
France itself lurches from crisis to crisis and has always had its own political turmoils. I am just wondering whether the OP has studied the writings of Rousseau and others to understand this? Or looked into the Algerian war.

Yes to both.

I grew up in a 2 room flat with a shared toilet on the landing outside. I like to think it makes me appreciate some of the issues faced by people today who aren't as lucky as me, sitting in my 4-bedroom 2-bathroom house.

Keep posting Dinahmo.

Rosie51 Are you aware how many GP surgeries have been taken over by American companies? ie privatised? Recently I've signed some petitions aimed at Islington Council and ongoing privatisation of GP practices.

My OP was not a dig at the GPs because they often have no control over what happens.

We only have one toilet/bathroom. It would be easier if the toilet was separate from the bath facilities tbh but I feel the issue is more that housing is just so bloody expensive in this country rented or otherwise and that wont change anytime soon as too many people are milking it in which refers back to the original post

Maggiemaybe I used a description of my childhood homes just to show how things have moved on for the majority but there are thousands of people living in appalling conditions. There were 6 of us in the house with the second loo and I can assure you that it was very welcome. With 6 of us getting ready to go out to work or to school in the morning life was sometimes difficult.

Lucca

Whataboutery at its finest

Nope, it’s entirely relevant to the OP and complaints thereof.

Mamardoit

I would never say my country right or wrong. But neither would I call my fellow citizens 'Little Englanders'.

Is all UK TV available on the continent or do people have to pay to view?

We have a satellite dish. To be honest we watch mainly UK tv because it's generally better than the rest.

People who live in them, stones, and all that jazz.

??

Lucca

Whataboutery at its finest

Perhaps many posters live in glass houses.

Whataboutery at its finest

SueDonim

^Why aren't you all caring about the wrongs? And, if you do, why aren't you doing something about it?^

How do you know ‘we’ don’t care and are not doing anything about it? I could reel off loads of things that people in my world do to make lives better for others. Just because we don’t make a big noise about it doesn’t mean we don’t care.

Lots of people are assisting in all kinds of ways.

What are you doing about the French Algerians, many of whom are homeless, and others living in appalling rat infested blocks? Given no help in the education system, mostly unemployed and left to fend for themselves. This was all shown in a documentary a few months ago.

I loved it.
From a miserable thread about how many bathrooms a person has, and racism, a little gem.

lemongrove

Cunco ?I wondered about the fiend as well.The best typo I’ve seen for ages.Good to have something to smile about on here.

Well I guess those of a more xenophobic persuasion might see people from other countries as fiends !! ( like uncle Matthew )

MissAdventure

Fiends from other countries?

Fat finger mistype sorry

Alegrias1

Is this something that's been cooked up amongst those without a rational argument?

3 times today I've seen "I'm going to go and do something more interesting and leave you to it", or words to that effect.

I hope you didn't count me as one of your 3. I assure you I can form a rational argument with anyone on GN if I choose to.