Entering the UK- or going to happen now

Has Britain got so much worse? I had relatives who emigrated to Australia in the 50s when I was a child. What was life like in an industrial city in the midlands?

Like the other kids I played in the bombed building sites, lots of fun but not exactly ideal.
Peasoupers where you literally couldn't see your hand in front of you. No wonder I was blue lighted to hospital with severe bronchitis round about the same time DH nearly died of pneumonia. Don't think the pollution helped us much.
Oh how I'd have loved central heating and double glazing although as a child I did like the patterns jack frost left on to he inside of my bedroom window.
Toilet at the top of the backyard, common where I grew up, not many about now.
Very strict discipline at school, well you can't have much time to comfort a scared five year old when you've got 48 in the class and don't even know what a TA is.
In the 60s I started work, like most of us I got paid about half what a man doing the same job got paid.
I lived near a home for unmatrird mothers, when I was queuing to use the phone id hear them begging to be allowed to bring baby home. I think most were adopted. Do we still have those homes?
As a young mum in the 70s I have memories of trying to get baby, toddler, shopping and pushchair on a bus. Of course the pushchair had to be folded and it was hard. I take GC on the bus now and the driver lowers the floor so I just wheel him on and park him in a designated space. Even bigger thing for people in wheelchairs, how did they ever go out?

Oh I forgot we didn't have as many potholes.

Mamie

I guess if posters have never lived abroad for a time, they can't really make judgements of the level of knowledge and understanding that the British abroad have of the UK. Obviously it will vary enormously.
Though these days it is not like we live in the Himalayas with The Times arriving once a month by Special Messenger.
I remember many years ago on Gransnet being accused of "fleeing the country". Very Burgess and Maclean. 😂

I think you will find many of us have spent years living abroad and have families, in Australia and other countries, who need the correct paperwork when they visit the UK, as they do when visiting other countries.

The AI's analysis is that the aim seems to be primarily to vent frustration and express anger which it goes on to expand:

More specifically, the post appears to:

*Complain about a perceived rule or policy
The writer is upset about being told they must show a UK passport to visit the UK, despite holding an Australian passport and having lived abroad for decades.
*Express indignation and emotional reaction
Phrases like “I am absolutely furious,” “How dare they?” and “I will never visit again” show this is emotionally driven rather than a calm request for clarification.
*Use sarcasm to criticize UK immigration policy
The line about “going in a little boat from Calais” is almost certainly sarcastic. It references media coverage of small boat crossings by migrants and implies a perceived double standard - suggesting that irregular entry might be treated more leniently than lawful travel requirements.
*Provoke discussion or validation
The tone suggests the poster may be looking for agreement, outrage, or debate rather than practical advice.

*So overall, the aim seems to be:
To vent
To criticize UK border/immigration policy
Possibly to provoke a reaction or spark political discussion

*It does not read like a genuine request for help, even though it is framed around a travel issue.

Having read this it's easy to understand the confusion that follows. Maybe it's worth analysing such posts first, before deciding whether to join the thread?

I did point out in my post, that it is not unusual for a country to add a requirement to people entering. I paid for an ESTA to visit the USA, as I said, and jumped through several ( expensive) hoops to travel to India and Russia.
I understand that nanna is exasperated, but if she wishes to travel outside of her own country, then this is the price we pay : no one is being unreasonably mean to her or her family.

Indeed Chocolatelovinggran.

But then it seems that the OP "does not read like a genuine request for help, even though it is framed around a travel issue". So all those who genuinely want to help (GN at it's best) were on a hiding to nothing and that at some point, someone would be told they were being "rude".

DaisyAnneReturns

Mamie

I guess if posters have never lived abroad for a time, they can't really make judgements of the level of knowledge and understanding that the British abroad have of the UK. Obviously it will vary enormously.
Though these days it is not like we live in the Himalayas with The Times arriving once a month by Special Messenger.
I remember many years ago on Gransnet being accused of "fleeing the country". Very Burgess and Maclean. 😂

I think you will find many of us have spent years living abroad and have families, in Australia and other countries, who need the correct paperwork when they visit the UK, as they do when visiting other countries.

The AI's analysis is that the aim seems to be primarily to vent frustration and express anger which it goes on to expand:

More specifically, the post appears to:

*Complain about a perceived rule or policy
The writer is upset about being told they must show a UK passport to visit the UK, despite holding an Australian passport and having lived abroad for decades.
*Express indignation and emotional reaction
Phrases like “I am absolutely furious,” “How dare they?” and “I will never visit again” show this is emotionally driven rather than a calm request for clarification.
*Use sarcasm to criticize UK immigration policy
The line about “going in a little boat from Calais” is almost certainly sarcastic. It references media coverage of small boat crossings by migrants and implies a perceived double standard - suggesting that irregular entry might be treated more leniently than lawful travel requirements.
*Provoke discussion or validation
The tone suggests the poster may be looking for agreement, outrage, or debate rather than practical advice.

*So overall, the aim seems to be:
To vent
To criticize UK border/immigration policy
Possibly to provoke a reaction or spark political discussion

*It does not read like a genuine request for help, even though it is framed around a travel issue.

Having read this it's easy to understand the confusion that follows. Maybe it's worth analysing such posts first, before deciding whether to join the thread?

Is that in response to me DAR? If you read the thread my interest is partly because this will affect my Spanish grandchildren and partly because I tend to respond to posts suggesting that people who chose to spend time living abroad can't possibly know anything about the UK.
In no way do I agree with or condone negative or inflammatory comments about the UK. It is not my experience.

RosiesMawagain

I don’t know why you are so angry or even surprised. This is the situation the other way round

UK citizens traveling to Australia for tourism or business (up to 3 months) must obtain an electronic visa, typically the free eVisitor (subclass 651) or the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (subclass 601) via the app. Applications are made online or via app, usually requiring no embassy visit. Other options include Working Holiday visas (subclass 417) for ages 18–35

This seems to be the situation for other nationalities visiting the UK
Visitors from other countries to the UK generally require a "Standard Visitor visa" for stays up to 6 months, costing £127, applied for online up to 3 months before travel. Many nationalities may instead need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) (£16) for short visits. Requirements vary by nationality; check eligibility via GOV.UK

Presumably you CHOSE to become an Australian citizen.

Exactly this! Why didn’t OP retain her British passport as I, and many others, have done? Why so much anger when it’s been law for other countries and Britain is just “catching up”? As for the small boats comment, words fail me!

And that is a totally valid interest Mamie

I would guess that knowledge of another country varies like everything else. My son, British/Australian probably knows more than I do about UK politics and his different perspective is invaluable. My brother, living in America, also offers a different view - not currently, of course, the family there is very quiet but then, that's a perspective in itself I suppose.

But this thread doesn't seem to have set out to be a request for help/information. My posts about this are, as much as anything, a lesson to myself about which posts to get involved in.

Chocolatelovinggran

I did point out in my post, that it is not unusual for a country to add a requirement to people entering. I paid for an ESTA to visit the USA, as I said, and jumped through several ( expensive) hoops to travel to India and Russia.
I understand that nanna is exasperated, but if she wishes to travel outside of her own country, then this is the price we pay : no one is being unreasonably mean to her or her family.

I understand that nanna is exasperated, but if she wishes to travel outside of her own country

Can't she travel wherever she likes on an Australian passport, all except for the UK which requires someone with dual British/Other nationality to have both passports?

I've posted this before and I will post it again.

Some of the rules for certain countries were brought in OVERNIGHT! It meant travel plans were disrupted, families upset because people coming from overseas missed family celebrations or funerals etc. There was absolutely no need for that knee-jerk reaction on the part of the Government who wished to do something to show that they were doing something about illegal immigration. It penalised ordinary people who were visiting for holidays etc.

No, Allira, as my post said, there are countries with requirements - I pointed out some that I have had to meet.
She can't " travel anywhere she likes on an Australian passport" , anymore than I can on a British passport, without adhering to the entry conditions of the country.

Allira were the new regulations literally brought in OVERNIGHT, i.e. with no forewarning etc?

LizzieDrip

Allira were the new regulations literally brought in OVERNIGHT, i.e. with no forewarning etc?

It would be useful to have the link for this assertion.

Yes please.

LizzieDrip

Allira were the new regulations literally brought in OVERNIGHT, i.e. with no forewarning etc?

Some, LizzieDrip, not the ones relating to Australia.

It is confusing eg
Those visiting from Trinidad and Tobago had no notice as the requirement for a visa was implemented overnight last March.

I do not know which, if any, countries were affected by this sudden decision.

I do not know which other, if any, countries were affected by this sudden decision.

Tuliptree

LizzieDrip

Allira were the new regulations literally brought in OVERNIGHT, i.e. with no forewarning etc?

It would be useful to have the link for this assertion.

🤔

If you do not believe me Tuliptree, I will find the link.

Even lawyers were confused, different Chambers giving different information.

As widely reported in the media today, the UK is introducing a visa requirement for all visitors from Trinidad and Tobago, effective immediately.
12th March 2025
www.ein.org.uk/news/new-statement-changes-immigration-rules-imposes-visit-visa-regime-trinidad-and-tobago

Allira

Even lawyers were confused, different Chambers giving different information.

As widely reported in the media today, the UK is introducing a visa requirement for all visitors from Trinidad and Tobago, effective immediately.
12th March 2025
www.ein.org.uk/news/new-statement-changes-immigration-rules-imposes-visit-visa-regime-trinidad-and-tobago

Thank you. Reading it, it wasn’t quite overnight in effect - people with existing ETAs and confirmed travel were exempt. Most changes came in a few weeks later. The changes were basically introduced because of apparently wide spread abuse of the existing rules. That’s a pity for decent people but we all get caught up in changes that come about because of other’s bad behaviour. It was only one country You made it sound much more widespread.

BlueBelle

She has to come here using her British passport, but as she is refusing to renew her British passport, she basically won’t be coming, and as she blames Keir Starmer 🤣🤣🤣🤣she ll probably vote for the first time in 50 years 🙄🙄

🤣🤣🤣

Tuliptree

Allira

Even lawyers were confused, different Chambers giving different information.

As widely reported in the media today, the UK is introducing a visa requirement for all visitors from Trinidad and Tobago, effective immediately.
12th March 2025
www.ein.org.uk/news/new-statement-changes-immigration-rules-imposes-visit-visa-regime-trinidad-and-tobago

Thank you. Reading it, it wasn’t quite overnight in effect - people with existing ETAs and confirmed travel were exempt. Most changes came in a few weeks later. The changes were basically introduced because of apparently wide spread abuse of the existing rules. That’s a pity for decent people but we all get caught up in changes that come about because of other’s bad behaviour. It was only one country You made it sound much more widespread.

It was only one country You made it sound much more widespread.

I did not.

I said it was Trinidad in my earlier post.
Trinidad and Tobago in fact.

Then
I do not know which other, if any, countries were affected by this sudden decision..

I have a feeling of Déjå vu 😂

Cossy

BlueBelle

She has to come here using her British passport, but as she is refusing to renew her British passport, she basically won’t be coming, and as she blames Keir Starmer 🤣🤣🤣🤣she ll probably vote for the first time in 50 years 🙄🙄

🤣🤣🤣

It's no funny, it is in fact quite ridiculous.

People of dual Australian/British nationality cannot come here on their Australian passport with a visa or ETA.
Those are the new rules.

However, people who emigrated 50 years ago and have not visited or kept up their British passports can vote in our elections. They have to pay for the right not to be able to vote in our elections.

Barmy.

Oh well, if nothing else, this thread has informed me of an issue of which I was completely unaware. After much ferreting about online we’ve established that my dual citizen son in the US needs to get his US-born children British passports as well as their US pps for a visit later this year. He’s setting that into motion and hasn’t complained about anything, it’s just another hurdle to straddle in life.

SueDonim

Oh well, if nothing else, this thread has informed me of an issue of which I was completely unaware. After much ferreting about online we’ve established that my dual citizen son in the US needs to get his US-born children British passports as well as their US pps for a visit later this year. He’s setting that into motion and hasn’t complained about anything, it’s just another hurdle to straddle in life.

But it’s also a huge plus once they’ve done it in terms of options - could come in handy

SueDonim

Oh well, if nothing else, this thread has informed me of an issue of which I was completely unaware. After much ferreting about online we’ve established that my dual citizen son in the US needs to get his US-born children British passports as well as their US pps for a visit later this year. He’s setting that into motion and hasn’t complained about anything, it’s just another hurdle to straddle in life.

Yes, many people are unaware and most of those won't be reading this thread!

Well as Nanna is being told she must just suck up the regulations regarding having to get a British passport then we must just suck up the regulations that she's entitled to vote in our elections, and I hope she and all the others this applies to will.
I still think that her Australian granddaughters with Australian passports being told they must apply for British passports is stupid, but if they're the rules then they're the rules.