The UK makes me sad.

[Sephirah]

In light of guidelines with regard to politics et al, I figured I would post this here. I did not vote in today's elections in the UK. Because I believe Kier Starmer lied to the whole British people, and he is as slimy as a course of Frog's Legs in any French restaurant.

He did a giant bait and switch to get people to vote him and his party into power. Which, as someone who was raised in the North of England is practically heresy to talk about. Since he got in he has done his best to overturn freedoms, and liberties, just because he is, at heart, a lawyer. Very good at trying to spin how crap people have it.

I did not vote because the whole Reform thing is literally Trump's best UK ally... Nigel Farage. Who wants to tell you he's the common man when he's worth more than probably the top 10 companies in the UK, The guy wants to build concentration camps for people scared out of their minds.

No wonder he is best friends with Donald Trump.

[Charlotte Kitty ✅]

Well my whole council is now under Reform control. Lets see if we still have a pride this summer now.

[Sephirah]

Well my whole council is now under Reform control. Lets see if we still have a pride this summer now.

I hope you do.  This whole thing is like an 80's movie with Brian Glover.

[Stottie Girl]

Dare I comment on political matters.......

It stinks! I did not vote either for all of the reasons Lauren stated. I thought I might have voted for the Greens this year but they used a paper candidate, someone from South East England who did zero campaigning and knew nothing about the area and had no intention of moving up here to take up the post. Labour? Not on your nellie, Starmer is a liar, I'm sick of these elitist politicians pretending they care about the North. Tories, no chance I'm voting for them, Reform? Hell no the thought that they are headed for power in the next general election terrifies me. The Liberal Democrats didn't even put a candidate forward.

Things need to change fast if the country is going to avoid following in Trumps footsteps.

When starmer was a lawyer he was responsible for the factor 8 contaminated blood scandal, he did nothing to bring justice for those suffers and he is still not doing enough. Most of them will be dead before they get compensation. He's a total slimeball who is more interested in giving jobs to his mates.

I think I have managed to be quite muted there considering. I hope I don't get told off again!

Reform got in at my local Ward but the council has remained Labour but only because most of the seats weren't up for election this time around.

[Lori Dee ✅]

Dare I comment on political matters.......

Look at that, Sarah.

You voiced your opinion and didn't get in trouble!

I think you are getting the hang of this politics thing. Maybe you should run for office.

I'd vote for you.

😁

[Sephirah]

I second that. I have been known to also be somewhat outspoken with regard to all this stuff. Maybe it's just British people being given a voice when mostly here, we don't have one, haha.

I do have a newfound respect for our King though, after his recent visit to the US. He was a statesman in every sense of the word.

The Greens are kind of like Reform. They talk a good game but like... how realistic is anything they say? They are like politics version of Greenpeace. Good in theory, but it all falls apart in practice. With less ties to racism.

I hope things can change but I am not confident. Starmer likes to pretend that all the nasty stuff which goes on... he knew nothing about it. He pleads ignorance. I don't see him being Prime Minister much longer.

It just... it makes me sad.

[Petunia]

Do you ladies think things might change for the better when there is a new Labor leader.

My cousins talk about what the Tories did to the country, Nigel is a former commodities trader who is supposedly the poor peoples friend because he drinks and smokes.

He would likely Trumpify your country.

That doesn't leave many options.

I'm paranoid Australia might head down the same path as the far right is gaining popularity propped up by billionaire dollars

[Sephirah]

Do you ladies think things might change for the better when there is a new Labor leader.

My cousins talk about what the Tories did to the country, Nigel is a former commodities trader who is supposedly the poor peoples friend because he drinks and smokes.

He would likely Trumpify your country.

That doesn't leave many options.

I'm paranoid Australia might head down the same path as the far right is gaining popularity propped up by billionaire dollars

No, Petunia. As sad as that is to say. There is probably no one in the Labour party who could step up at this point because Starmer is kind of like a Tony Blair figure. Everyone just knows who he is. I think maybe Angela Rayner might make a go of it... but she is somewhat disgraced in politics circles because she did what they all do and play the system. We voted in the last general election for him. Not really the party. Most people couldn't really name anyone else in his government. They just make laws and we go about things like good little worker bees.

I do not think there would be a significant change with someone else in power. Sadly.

The Tories... I mean they were worse but at least they were honest about it.

I do hope that Australia doesn't head down the same road. You have always seemed like the more sensible approach to governing people.

[Charlotte Kitty ✅]

Its simple. Nothing will ever change for the good in politics. Add to that the UK is going one direction- down. Thats why I'm doing everything I want so quick. I don't believe there will be a decent life to live here in 10 years. This is probably my last chance at making something for myself before it goes to just existing.

Charlotte 😻

[Stottie Girl]

Look at that, Sarah.

You voiced your opinion and didn't get in trouble!

I think you are getting the hang of this politics thing. Maybe you should run for office.

I'd vote for you.

😁

Ha Ha! You put a smile on my face there Lori! Thank you!

[Stottie Girl]

I second that. I have been known to also be somewhat outspoken with regard to all this stuff. Maybe it's just British people being given a voice when mostly here, we don't have one, haha.

I do have a newfound respect for our King though, after his recent visit to the US. He was a statesman in every sense of the word.

The Greens are kind of like Reform. They talk a good game but like... how realistic is anything they say? They are like politics version of Greenpeace. Good in theory, but it all falls apart in practice. With less ties to racism.

I hope things can change but I am not confident. Starmer likes to pretend that all the nasty stuff which goes on... he knew nothing about it. He pleads ignorance. I don't see him being Prime Minister much longer.

It just... it makes me sad.

Yes, I'm a bit ambivalent towards the Royal family but I have to say Charlie Boy did us proud on this visit.

I think you will be right and Starme might be ousted but the thing is, changing leaders all the time just sows chaos and nothing ever gets done.

[Stottie Girl]

No, Petunia. As sad as that is to say. There is probably no one in the Labour party who could step up at this point because Starmer is kind of like a Tony Blair figure. Everyone just knows who he is. I think maybe Angela Rayner might make a go of it... but she is somewhat disgraced in politics circles because she did what they all do and play the system. We voted in the last general election for him. Not really the party. Most people couldn't really name anyone else in his government. They just make laws and we go about things like good little worker bees.

I do not think there would be a significant change with someone else in power. Sadly.

The Tories... I mean they were worse but at least they were honest about it.

I do hope that Australia doesn't head down the same road. You have always seemed like the more sensible approach to governing people.

I believe there are only two well known people who could save the Labour party. Angela Raynor (don't think that will ever happen because the media will have a field day over her tax evasion) and Andy Burnham (was blocked from becoming an MP by Starmer) given they are both blocked as it were, the future looks bleak. It needs a root and branch clearout of all the "new labour" fanatics, especially Wes Streeting as he is eyeing power next. Maybe someone will rise from obscurity from the back benches to grab the helm, We don't know the politics of the quiet background members.

The difference between the people at the top of all the three main political parties is tiny. We know that if either one of them gets in there will be no meaningful change. THis is why Reform and the Greens have made such big gains, people are crying out to be listened to and for the Westminster elite to be shown the door. I would take the Greens over Reform any day of the week mind.

[Stottie Girl]

Its simple. Nothing will ever change for the good in politics. Add to that the UK is going one direction- down. Thats why I'm doing everything I want so quick. I don't believe there will be a decent life to live here in 10 years. This is probably my last chance at making something for myself before it goes to just existing.

Charlotte 😻

It's not inevitable Charlotte. I agree with you, things look in freefall at the moment but change can happen. We need the same sort of democratic socialism that arose after the war and spawned things like the welfare system, the NHS and invested in proud British Industry. It has happened before, it WILL happen again, I just hope it happens sooner rather than later.

Keep the faith!

[Stottie Girl]

Well, surprisingly I was contacted by our new Reform councillor after a social media comment I posted. The guy does seem to have the interests of the local community at his heart, he lives in the area and is ex forces. Whilst I told him I do not agree with the upper echelons in his party, I do wish him well in trying to bring about local change.

A refreshing change to have a proactive councillor. I still won't vote for them though but maybe they aren't all lunatics.

[big kim]

Felt left out and let down by every UK political party for a long time.Working class, worked the rubbish jobs no one else wanted on shifts to make the money up. Dead end factory,warehouse,bus driving,hotel and bar jobs. Union member from 16,unashamed lefty. Now an OAP with COPD and type 2 diabetes. Glad I won't be around to see the far right destroy the sick,poor,disabled,working class,pensioners and LGBT community.
This is my country, don't want to live where I have to deal with new languages and money or drive on the other side of the road. I'm staying here and if the bastards come for me I won't be going without a fight.

[Lori Dee ✅]

I don't know enough about UK politics, but politics in general swings like a pendulum. There will be times when it swings to the far right, then, with major backlash, it will swing back to the left. More backlash, and it starts swinging back to the right.

The hope is that someday, it will finally stop somewhere in the middle, or at least the swings will be small and gentle. Then, some yahoo comes along and starts pushing hard to get it moving again. And it is never the common man who starts it moving again.

[Stottie Girl]

I think the problem is that the pendulum has been stuck right of centre in UK politcs since the days of Blair. It sounds great in principle but when it's stuck in the middle nothing big ever gets done for fear of alienating one side or the other. It is all about avoiding change so as not to upset one side or the other even when change is so badly needed, they will do everything they can to do nothing!

It should swing from left to right but it has been stopped for so long now that now it has started moving it is swinging wildly to the far right. This will inevitably lead to a much more polarized society.

Part of the reason for this backlash is that there is a general feeling that it doesn't matter who you vote for, the same centerist people get into power. That is why voter turn out has been so poor in the past.

It needs to go back to a steady left to right swing depending on what the country needs but this extreme swing will spell disaster for British society I fear.

The latest - Starmer has decided that after the terrible performance and wholesale rejection of his "New Labour" politics he is not going to step down, not going to change anything and is bringing ex PM Gordon Brown in to tell him what to do. Gordon Brown was an architect of new labour and is a despised figure that lost the only election where he stood as leader. Well done Kier, that will stop Reform in it's tracks at the next election.

We're all dooomed!

[davina61]

I aint sayin nuffin as I like coming here!!!

[Stottie Girl]

I aint sayin nuffin as I like coming here!!!

Wasn't this supposed to be the safe place? Oooops, Have I gone and done it again!

[Lori Dee ✅]

I think the problem is that the pendulum has been stuck right of centre in UK politcs since the days of Blair.

I agree that perspective can affect how the scale appears. When stuck in one position for too long, even the slightest movement can appear extreme.