General Election - 4th July 2024

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Disagree with you regarding the class thing. Sounds a bit patronising in fact.

Also, on the RBS thing, presumably you also despise anyone that took their money out of Northern Rock during the run on the bank, because they really did make the country poorer by their actions?

Patronising is something I’ve never been accused of before!

They were trying to protect their savings, not feeding off the misery of others. So no, I don’t despise them. I empathise with them.

 

[Churchlawtonblue]

Living in Essex with a black wife and black in-laws, 15% seems fairly realistic. I think people would be genuinely shocked by the attitudes of a sizeable chunk of the population. I know I was.

Let’s be honest, if you're white, you haven’t really got a clue because you never see it or experience it. I was admittedly entirely ignorant to it myself before I met my wife and was firmly in the “racism isn’t really a thing in this country” camp.

I’m not claiming it’s worse than other countries, mind. It is definitely better than Portugal, probably Spain and Italy too. That doesn’t mean it’s not a thing.

That said, I actually do agree with you, there’s more behind the Reform vote than just simple racism. It’s a whole counter-culture that is basically nostalgia goggles for a segment of the population that thinks the British Empire was all really great and had no problems and we should go back to it.

It's very dissapointing isn't it. I know there is an undercurrent of it in our society and Farage definitely expoits those sentiments. I got called out at a Christmas due last year by a chap who was a white english barber, when I said I went to a local Turkish barber. He wasn't happy at all and I was a bit stunned.

But I would like to think it's not as bad as some European countries. France, Spain Portugal, Italy and Germany. We have some German friends and they have told us there is deep resentment by many Germans at the amount of immigrants that have arrived in recent years but many don't think they can speak out.

 

[Churchlawtonblue]

Had a staff member tell me yesterday that he’s voting reform. When I asked why he said to keep the immigrants out. When I pointed out the 2 other staff stood next to him were from Portugal and Spain and wouldn’t be welcome under reform he told me

“But these 2 are ok”

So what he really means are all the Asians who arrive here that he doesn’t want, therefore I conclude he’s fucking racist.

I'm lucky our staff are generally educated to degree level so there is much less chance of that conversation occuring. Im not trying to be elitist, I'm just assuming people understand the complexities of the issue more.

 

[Big Joe Corrigan]

I supose that this depends to a degree on whether you judge everyone who thinks that the UK is allowing too many immigrants in is a racist? Do you think that?

I certainly believe a large percentage are racist, whether that’s the three blokes I work with, or the two lads who did my kitchen roof recently.

 

[Eccles Blue]

Only Tory boys get gout…. Rich man’s disease ….

I can very much disprove that as I have just finished my course of tablets for an attack of gout...... and I don't drink and I am definitely NOT rich!!! :-)

 

[west didsblue]

Disagree with you regarding the class thing. Sounds a bit patronising in fact.

Also, on the RBS thing, presumably you also despise anyone that took their money out of Northern Rock during the run on the bank, because they really did make the country poorer by their actions?

For someone who purports to be knowledgeable about economics and finance, that comparison is just bizarre.

 

[SkyBlueFlux]

My experience, too. Was blissfully ignorant until then. Real eye-opener. That said, my wife thinks continental Europe is worse and the UK does integrate better than most. Essex is a bit iffy in places, though :)

Mid-Essex where we live is probably a bit worse than most places, in fairness. Ironically my wife is a doctor of psychology who works a few days a week in Clacton (as well as other parts of the Essex trust)… Her English is better than mine but probably won’t surprise you to hear she has had patients who refuse to be treated by her. Now she works with adolescents who are an easier demographic in that respect.

Things were definitely better living in Manchester and London, but we moved out here to be able to afford to buy a house. We’ll definitely move at some point but it’s hard to know where and when given we both have family to consider.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

For someone who purports to be knowledgeable about economics and finance, that comparison is just bizarre.

Completely different scenarios. Absolutely wank comparator.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Mid-Essex where we live is probably a bit worse than most places, in fairness. Ironically my wife is a doctor of psychology who works a few days a week in Clacton (as well as other parts of the Essex trust)… Her English is better than mine but probably won’t surprise you to hear she has had patients who refuse to be treated by her. Now she works with adolescents who are an easier demographic in that respect.

Things were definitely better living in Manchester and London, but we moved out here to be able to afford to buy a house. We’ll definitely move at some point but it’s hard to know where and when given we both have family to consider.

Was in Southend earlier this week. And it was definitely quite racist.

 

[BobKowalski]

It's very dissapointing isn't it. I know there is an undercurrent of it in our society and Farage definitely expoits those sentiments. I got called out at a Christmas due last year by a chap who was a white english barber, when I said I went to a local Turkish barber. He wasn't happy at all and I was a bit stunned.

But I would like to think it's not as bad as some European countries. France, Spain Portugal, Italy and Germany. We have some German friends and they have told us there is deep resentment by many Germans at the amount of immigrants that have arrived in recent years but many don't think they can speak out.

The German situation is nothing new. Back in the day it was Turkish workers they grumbled at. Modern day Germany was built on the back of the guest worker program and still needs immigrant labour. As do all European countries. Might as well grumble at water for being wet.