Gransnet forums

News & politics

Performance politics but empty words

(204 Posts)
PoliticsNerd Tue 21-Jan-25 07:41:12

Much of today's display of 'performance politics' may appear to yield results, but ultimately, it's unlikely that these promises will come to fruition. Signing public documents or holding photo opportunities in no way guarantees the passage of these bills and policies. However, this facade is what Trump supporters will initially remember. Like many Brexit supporters who have come to realise that getting what they wanted has not improved their lives or, in fact, led to nothing being done, some may eventually move towards authoritarianism.

Winston Churchill famously said that a democracy requires an informed voter. Unfortunately, too many people are either misinformed or uninformed. Those who are uninformed are, by default, the most susceptible to manipulation. My initial optimism about the potential of Citizens' Juries to empower citizens and foster informed debate now seems misplaced, as they have become mired in the complexities of government.

So, how can we, as individuals and as a society, work towards becoming better informed?

MaizieD Sun 26-Jan-25 10:51:02

The countries and their individual stories are all different.Some are really escaping persecution from hardline authorities, for political views, or being gay for instance, most are wanting to come West for a better economic life.

And your evidence for 'most wanting to come to the West for a better economic life' is...?

Most of the asylum seekers are granted asylum. Asylum is not granted just because the applicant wants a better economic life.

David49 Sun 26-Jan-25 11:37:13

“Most of the asylum seekers are granted asylum. Asylum is not granted just because the applicant wants a better economic life.”

There is no hope if you believe that, IF they admit their nationality (most don’t) they cannot be returned because that country is deemed “not safe”.
Which includes most of Africa and the Middle East, most are economic migrants that claim persecution, if you are from Africa claiming to be gay is a certain way of getting Assylum.

Iam64 Sun 26-Jan-25 19:13:48

No hope in what way David49?
Being gay in some African countries is indeed dangerous

Oreo Sun 26-Jan-25 19:18:27

David49

“Most of the asylum seekers are granted asylum. Asylum is not granted just because the applicant wants a better economic life.”

There is no hope if you believe that, IF they admit their nationality (most don’t) they cannot be returned because that country is deemed “not safe”.
Which includes most of Africa and the Middle East, most are economic migrants that claim persecution, if you are from Africa claiming to be gay is a certain way of getting Assylum.

I think the last government just gave up where asylum was concerned and waved them through to get the numbers down.
I do believe that most are economic migrants from what I have seen and read.
They won’t stay in France but make a beeline for the UK.It’s here or Germany they seem to want to be.

PoliticsNerd Sun 26-Jan-25 19:25:54

MaizieD

Mamie

Well if the Normans get sent home, I will be living in the right place. 😂

Oh dear. I had a Great Uncle who paid for genealogy research which traced his family back to William the Conqueror. Not that the connection did them much good. From my genealogy research they seem to have spent the 19th C as skilled artisans in Ipswich..

I have everything in my 'line' except Celtic... Given a choice can I be deported to the Caribbean please?

What is it with Ipswich?. We had some Huguenot ancestors who escaped to Britain and went to live there.

Allira Sun 26-Jan-25 20:32:55

PoliticsNerd

MaizieD

Mamie

Well if the Normans get sent home, I will be living in the right place. 😂

Oh dear. I had a Great Uncle who paid for genealogy research which traced his family back to William the Conqueror. Not that the connection did them much good. From my genealogy research they seem to have spent the 19th C as skilled artisans in Ipswich..

I have everything in my 'line' except Celtic... Given a choice can I be deported to the Caribbean please?

What is it with Ipswich?. We had some Huguenot ancestors who escaped to Britain and went to live there.

😁 Mine went to the Nuneaton area.
And must have married some Anglo-Saxons descendants.

DH's were, apparently, marauding Vikings and ancient Britons.

Our DC must be bitzers.

MaizieD Sun 26-Jan-25 21:37:57

What is it with Ipswich?. We had some Huguenot ancestors who escaped to Britain and went to live there.

IIRC Huguenots tended to end up settled in the eastern ‘home counties’. I expect Ipswich was as good a place as any. I wouldn’t know, I’ve only been there twice. grin

MaizieD Sun 26-Jan-25 21:40:38

David49

“Most of the asylum seekers are granted asylum. Asylum is not granted just because the applicant wants a better economic life.”

There is no hope if you believe that, IF they admit their nationality (most don’t) they cannot be returned because that country is deemed “not safe”.
Which includes most of Africa and the Middle East, most are economic migrants that claim persecution, if you are from Africa claiming to be gay is a certain way of getting Assylum.

I think I prefer to believe that the process for approving asylum applications is more rigorous than the right wing press makes it out to be. David.

Allira Sun 26-Jan-25 21:48:14

MaizieD

^What is it with Ipswich?. We had some Huguenot ancestors who escaped to Britain and went to live there.^

IIRC Huguenots tended to end up settled in the eastern ‘home counties’. I expect Ipswich was as good a place as any. I wouldn’t know, I’ve only been there twice. grin

Silk weaving.

The Huguenots brought their silk weaving skills with them.

Allsorts Sun 26-Jan-25 22:00:29

Maisie, I don’t know where you get your information from. If people come through safe countries don't you ask why. We are a soft touch.

M0nica Mon 27-Jan-25 07:06:18

The Huguenots were Protestants who fled catholic France and Wallonia (southern Belgium) from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century due to religious persecution during the European Wars of Religion. After the English protestant Reformation, England was seen as a safe place for refugees.

As stated from the France/Belgium Channel shore Eastern England was the nearest area of England. They settled, mainly in London, but also in East Anglia and Kent.

Most Huguenots were craftsmen, especially in the silk weaving business and established themselves over here. The Spittalfields area of London, between White Chapel and Shoreditch was the centre for their settlement.

One in six of us has Huguenot ancesters. Nigel Farage, Simon Le Bon, The Cortauld family, who established the textile company fo that name. Portals, and Fourdrinier, who established modern papermaking machines are all, of Huguenot descent www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/refugee-week-the-huguenots-count-among-the-most-successful-of-britain-s-immigrants-10330066.html

David49 Mon 27-Jan-25 07:19:22

The UK has always accepted genuine refugees recent Ukrainians are a recent example, when the war ends most will return.
Those who say it is OK for migrants that cross the channel deliberately destroying their passports knowing they cannot be sent back are naive in the extreme.

nanna8 Mon 27-Jan-25 07:21:04

You’re only intelligent and educated if you agree with me ? That’s the exact opposite of being educated as far as I’m concerned.

MayBee70 Mon 27-Jan-25 07:27:14

nanna8

You’re only intelligent and educated if you agree with me ? That’s the exact opposite of being educated as far as I’m concerned.

Imo being educated and intelligent means not taking anything at face value. Questioning everything. Seeing that there are two sides to everything. And not always assuming that you are always right.

Mamie Mon 27-Jan-25 08:37:49

Allsorts

Maisie, I don’t know where you get your information from. If people come through safe countries don't you ask why. We are a soft touch.

Of course, many migrants do stay in France and Germany, but the reason quoted from those wanting to go to the UK is that they speak the language and / or have family there.
And the fact that the UK doesn't have identity cards, so it is much easier to live under the radar....

MaizieD Mon 27-Jan-25 08:44:38

nanna8

You’re only intelligent and educated if you agree with me ? That’s the exact opposite of being educated as far as I’m concerned.

I completely fail to see the relevance or the value of this remark. Who has said anything about intelligence or education?

growstuff Mon 27-Jan-25 08:56:00

David49

The UK has always accepted genuine refugees recent Ukrainians are a recent example, when the war ends most will return.
Those who say it is OK for migrants that cross the channel deliberately destroying their passports knowing they cannot be sent back are naive in the extreme.

Who said that?

growstuff Mon 27-Jan-25 09:06:04

MaizieD

^Three countries out of five voted to remain in the EU…^

I'm struggling to find the fifth country in the British Isles. grin

Gibraltar?

Allira Mon 27-Jan-25 10:44:55

growstuff

MaizieD

Three countries out of five voted to remain in the EU…

I'm struggling to find the fifth country in the British Isles. grin

Gibraltar?

Which voted overwhelmingly to remain.

England as a whole voted to leave and, of course, has the largest population.

Retroladywriting Mon 27-Jan-25 10:56:28

Whitewavemark2

galaxy I think as far as I am concerned, it is a concept that is not particularly useful, in discussion, as it’s history is riddled with meaning.

It isn’t a term I have ever used. But I do think what to me is its original meaning of simply being aware of others misfortunes etc. the best.

Agreed.

Retroladywriting Mon 27-Jan-25 10:59:20

Intelligence to me means curiosity and willingness to find out before jumping to conclusions.

maddyone Mon 27-Jan-25 11:08:53

If there’s anyone left in the country who is unaware of the situation regarding immigration, both legal and illegal (irregular if you prefer) over the last several years, I’d be very surprised.

Allira Mon 27-Jan-25 11:12:07

David49

I know quite a few Italians, they visit their origins regularly to pay respects to the head of the family, their Grandfathers came over as POWs, they were peasants from the south and Sicily. Nothing for them there except sunshine.

There are many people of Italian descent both here and in many other countries eg Australia, not so many descendants of POWs but the Italian diaspora of the late 1800s then again post WW2.

MaizieD Mon 27-Jan-25 12:10:12

growstuff

MaizieD

Three countries out of five voted to remain in the EU…

I'm struggling to find the fifth country in the British Isles. grin

Gibraltar?

Is Gibraltar a country?

I had thought of it, I admit, but couldn't decide its status.

GrannyGravy13 Mon 27-Jan-25 12:36:29

MaizieD

growstuff

MaizieD

Three countries out of five voted to remain in the EU…

I'm struggling to find the fifth country in the British Isles. grin

Gibraltar?

Is Gibraltar a country?

I had thought of it, I admit, but couldn't decide its status.

It’s classed as a British Overseas Territory

Over 95% of votes cast in the referendum were for remain.