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Little Britain - the state of England today

(655 Posts)
Dinahmo Tue 13-Jul-21 21:36:42

I have picked upon England since I am not as aware of what is going on in the other countries of the Union with regard to the state of the nation.

I've been sitting in my home in France, with tempests outside, watching the Channel 4 News. It was so depressing.

90,000 families living in sub-standard temporary accommodation.

Racism

Water companies deliberately releasing sewage into rivers and sea, despite all the rules and regs and heavy fines.

Cuts to overseas aid - by one of the richest nations.

30,000 children in care moved last year away from their local area, schools, support networks etc, often without prior warning (not on Channel 4)

Cuts in the arts lessons in schools.

Football

We came to France, bought a plot of land and built a house. I guess we were lucky to do so. It was an adventure, something to stop us getting bogged down in our retirement. At the time we didn't intend to stay here but now I'm not so sure. The England that I loved has disappeared.

In the early fifties we moved to Dorset. Parents under 30 with 3 children. We got a council house, possibly because of my Father's job - I don't know. In those days we had one bath a week and didn't have individual towels. The loo was in the bathroom. in the early sixties we moved to a brand new house, with, joy o joy, a second separate loo. Today my house has 3 bedrooms and 3 bath/shower rooms. And at the same time there are tens of thousands of families living in sub standard housing. WHY?

The govt is picking on subjects like Voter ID. statues and BLM because they know that it will stir up a large proportion of the population. But they're not as important as other things that are happening, like the slow but sure privatisation of the NHS. How many of you have only been able to access your GP (if you have one, as we did in times gone by, who knew oneself) by video calls or Zoom or whatever?

The water companies are privately owned so they don't give a toss. Southern Water has been fined £90 million - so much but yet not enough to prevent them from continuing to release sewage into the sea. Channel had a map showing where there were releases along the south coast today. At least a dozen. it's lucky it's raining and there are heavy seas so people won't be swimming there any time soon.

The behaviour of football fans towards supporters of the opposition. Forcing their way into the stands reserved for the Danes and being abusive. Pulling a Danish mother's hair and calling her a whore and spitting at people.

I care about these things and yet I don't live in the UK at the moment. Why aren't you all caring about the wrongs? And, if you do, why aren't you doing something about it?

You can tell me that it's always been like this but I've been on this earth for 74 years and it's about times things changed.

Welshwife Sat 17-Jul-21 21:33:08

The beta variant is as yet quite minor in mainland France - it is in Reunion that it is rife being almost 100% of the cases.

joysutty Sat 17-Jul-21 20:50:57

Very sad to read all of This. The UK has been way ahead in the covid19 vaccine roll-out. Fact. With France being way behind. Fact. Unfortunately, Football always has had it's issues. Fact. In lockdown I have had nothing but the best of care from our own surgery + local hospital with diabeties, which is now under control, anxiety + been supported plus my husband needed a pacemaker last March then a 2nd heart oblation in December. Re. The Paris riots - a few years ago - know of a friend of a friend's son who died. Her only child. You obviously live in the countryside I would imagine. My water board Board, Severn Trent have been marvellous + we have now saved hundreds having a water meter + they sent me some freebies only the other week. How's about that then !! But now France has the Beta covid variant + tourism will go down - as from today anyone coming back into the UK has to self-isolate once again. Our NHS is for Free. Know my sister in law over in the South of France has to pay. People here in the UK have considered others more than ever during the lockdowns. Plus we all have to live to our means on what we can afford, in which ever country we live.

Callistemon Sat 17-Jul-21 20:05:30

Actually, I never know what these emojis mean
grin

Callistemon Sat 17-Jul-21 20:04:44

?

MissAdventure Sat 17-Jul-21 19:56:16

Yeah but, no but, yeah but no but, don't say it's not a thing cos it is a thing!
And stop giving me evils! grin

Callistemon Sat 17-Jul-21 18:16:42

I blame David Walliams and Matt Lucas.

GrauntyHelen Sat 17-Jul-21 17:51:12

For any favour yet another thread where England is referred to as the UK or Britain it's not it's England ! The UK is Northern Ireland Wales Scotland and England and Britain is the UK minus Northern Ireland #gladtobeinScotland

Callistemon Fri 16-Jul-21 22:34:28

Never forget -

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Chewbacca Fri 16-Jul-21 22:26:42

Ah but Keffie Dinahmo qualified that observation by saying I accept that many of you are doing as much as you can but many aren't So, it's all hands to the pumps.....

Callistemon Fri 16-Jul-21 22:25:39

Different language - rather more like Welsh!

Ellianne Fri 16-Jul-21 22:22:11

Correct Bretagne, not Grande!
Even many a Breton doesn't consider themselves French!

Keffie12 Fri 16-Jul-21 22:19:16

Dinahmo

I have picked upon England since I am not as aware of what is going on in the other countries of the Union with regard to the state of the nation.

I've been sitting in my home in France, with tempests outside, watching the Channel 4 News. It was so depressing.

90,000 families living in sub-standard temporary accommodation.

Racism

Water companies deliberately releasing sewage into rivers and sea, despite all the rules and regs and heavy fines.

Cuts to overseas aid - by one of the richest nations.

30,000 children in care moved last year away from their local area, schools, support networks etc, often without prior warning (not on Channel 4)

Cuts in the arts lessons in schools.

Football

We came to France, bought a plot of land and built a house. I guess we were lucky to do so. It was an adventure, something to stop us getting bogged down in our retirement. At the time we didn't intend to stay here but now I'm not so sure. The England that I loved has disappeared.

In the early fifties we moved to Dorset. Parents under 30 with 3 children. We got a council house, possibly because of my Father's job - I don't know. In those days we had one bath a week and didn't have individual towels. The loo was in the bathroom. in the early sixties we moved to a brand new house, with, joy o joy, a second separate loo. Today my house has 3 bedrooms and 3 bath/shower rooms. And at the same time there are tens of thousands of families living in sub standard housing. WHY?

The govt is picking on subjects like Voter ID. statues and BLM because they know that it will stir up a large proportion of the population. But they're not as important as other things that are happening, like the slow but sure privatisation of the NHS. How many of you have only been able to access your GP (if you have one, as we did in times gone by, who knew oneself) by video calls or Zoom or whatever?

The water companies are privately owned so they don't give a toss. Southern Water has been fined £90 million - so much but yet not enough to prevent them from continuing to release sewage into the sea. Channel had a map showing where there were releases along the south coast today. At least a dozen. it's lucky it's raining and there are heavy seas so people won't be swimming there any time soon.

The behaviour of football fans towards supporters of the opposition. Forcing their way into the stands reserved for the Danes and being abusive. Pulling a Danish mother's hair and calling her a whore and spitting at people.

I care about these things and yet I don't live in the UK at the moment. Why aren't you all caring about the wrongs? And, if you do, why aren't you doing something about it?

You can tell me that it's always been like this but I've been on this earth for 74 years and it's about times things changed.

Who says people aren't doing anything about it. Just because you don't hear about it there are millions of us who actively work behind the scenes on the major problems going on today

I am glad you have a nice life however there is many of us me included who object to you saying no one does anything because they do.

Not everyone needs plaudits and honours for what they do. If it isn't sensational and newsworthy drama then the media don't want it as it doesn't sell

lemongrove Fri 16-Jul-21 22:18:24

Black and white, like the Cornish flag.

Chewbacca Fri 16-Jul-21 22:15:56

Brittany Ellianne?

Callistemon Fri 16-Jul-21 22:15:56

Bretagne!

(The little one)

lemongrove Fri 16-Jul-21 22:14:33

Yes, tell, tell!
We can work out some sort of prize later....

Callistemon Fri 16-Jul-21 22:03:34

Ellianne

Work that one out * Chewbacca*!!

I know!

Should I tell - is there a prize for the winner?

lemongrove Fri 16-Jul-21 21:44:32

Perhaps we should all clasp hands and have a rousing chorus of Land Of Hope And Glory at this point.....smile

What is that strange flag Ellianne ?

lemongrove Fri 16-Jul-21 21:42:05

I suspect Dinahmo you are now regretting starting this thread.?

lemongrove Fri 16-Jul-21 21:39:18

MayBee70

mokryna

I did breed cats many many yonks ago which the offspring must have kept many people company in recent times. Will that count?

Not if it’s the British shorthair I had that wee’d and poo’d everywhere and exuded huge balls of fur everywhere she moved. And killed every bird that set foot in the garden.

Even British cats are coming in for it now! Try a French one, I expect it’s house trained and ever so chic.?

Callistemon Fri 16-Jul-21 21:34:34

Oh, so it was to me?

Kali2 Fri 16-Jul-21 21:33:29

It was a typo, I am afraid, and will apologise for that ;)

Friends who moved to Eastern France spent months discussing all the ins and outs, pros and cons, with their children and grand-children, and the move was a joint decision.

Callistemon Fri 16-Jul-21 21:31:08

Callimston
I may need to apologise, Kali2 your post was addressed to another poster, not me!

Kali2 Fri 16-Jul-21 21:31:02

''Who would never ever xonsidered going to NZ or OZ, or even USA, for the very reason mentionned.

A very underhand remark to make knowing how many Gransnetters who have family living in farflung places whom they are missing very much at the moment.'

you miss the massive difference here- truly. It depends who made the decision. If children move their family so far away, it is their choice, not yours. And oh yes, I feel the pain- I am not sure I would deal with this very well, especially if for health, or even financial reasons- visits would be very rare or impossible.

Very different if the parents/grandparents decide to move to nearby France or short flight away from UK- because they want to stay close and have very regular contact and visits, and also host children/grandchildren in their abroad home- to share the adventure and joy with them.

Ellianne Fri 16-Jul-21 21:29:40

Work that one out * Chewbacca*!!