What Is Happening To Our Country?

[badgerx16]

19 minutes ago, sadoldgit said:

A bit early to hit the bottle isn’t it Whelk? Not to early for the forum emoji stalker  though I see.

Nic was around earlier, but as it is early tomorrow morning in Thailand you'll have to wait for his next visit.

[sadoldgit]

42 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

Nic was around earlier, but as it is early tomorrow morning in Thailand you'll have to wait for his next visit.

Always a delight to get a laughing emoji from the other side of the world, but I was referring to the other person who follows me around here like a lost sheep and if he is not having a pop himself he is liking posts of those who do. Very sad.

[badgerx16]

A well known former football hooligan from Bristol died after falling off a ladder whilst hanging a flag from a lamp post. You would think a painter and decorator would be used to using ladders.

[Weston Super Saint]

1 hour ago, badgerx16 said:

A well known former football hooligan from Bristol died after falling off a ladder whilst hanging a flag from a lamp post. You would think a painter and decorator would be used to using ladders.

With ladders he was an expert.

With lamp posts, not so good.

[Gloucester Saint]

11 hours ago, Weston Super Saint said:

With ladders he was an expert.

With lamp posts, not so good.

A ‘working class hero’ apparently https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/well-known-bristol-football-fan-10699651

Beating people up, prison, being a seeming rogue. Now he’d raised that money to help ensure the kids in that very deprived part of S Bristol got a hot meal or towards renovating one of the community centres there, then I’d have been more inclined to agree. But he used it to litter the public realm with flags. He didn’t deserve to fall off a ladder and lose his life, but I’m struggling to see a hero.

[rallyboy]

Some political leaders tactically trying to dress up this intimidation campaign as patriotism.

We want our flag back.

[badgerx16]

They have now decided that the "first black woman in Britain" was in fact more likely to have been white.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce86jzgxxy4o

[sadoldgit]

1 hour ago, badgerx16 said:

They have now decided that the "first black woman in Britain" was in fact more likely to have been white.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce86jzgxxy4o

Perhaps the rest were black and she was the first white woman?

😉

[Turkish]

1 hour ago, badgerx16 said:

They have now decided that the "first black woman in Britain" was in fact more likely to have been white.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce86jzgxxy4o

Beachy head lady is quite tidy in a computer generated type way 

[rallyboy]

14 hours ago, Turkish said:

Beachy head lady is quite tidy in a computer generated type way 

Don't be fooled, remember when we saw a headshot of Priti Patel, she turned out to be 4ft high, 4ft wide and frothing at the mouth screaming hate at everyone.

[Gloucester Saint]

The behaviour of Labour, Tories, Reform politicians and the press around the Motability scheme (yes, it did need some readjustment but without some of the misleading headlines) has led unsurprisingly onto poor public behaviour towards blue badge holders https://inews.co.uk/news/motability-backlash-sparks-abuse-blue-badge-holders-4125168?srsltid=AfmBOoqfQjQFsn_sAjTf1yY97P97owEtMOcQWLAK1fQ5hEnrich26WL-

For a start, blue badges are a different scheme to Motability.

There is also for balance some abuse of blue badges by family members - some stiff penalties there for misuse (rightly so) https://n-somerset.gov.uk/news/north-somerset-council-tackles-blue-badge-abuse

But no excuse for the behaviour displayed in these clips

 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

People have become real dicks.

[sadoldgit]

2 hours ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

People have become real dicks.

Indeed.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/dec/22/man-in-uk-charged-alongside-five-others-with-sexual-offences-against-his-wife

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, sadoldgit said:

Indeed.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/dec/22/man-in-uk-charged-alongside-five-others-with-sexual-offences-against-his-wife

Horrific. A smaller scale echo of the French case.

[sadoldgit]

Another far right outfit to be concerned about.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/04/leading-uk-far-right-activist-russian-nationalist-event-mark-collett

[Turkish]

Used to love this place when I lived near there. Bad times

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/25740136.ceno-bar-restaurant-portswood-announces-closure/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZnRzaAPIvYBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe-z3pu-l-61VatKsOW8cC2G-2EuA_gkCSH8Hitdr2ahTUtzZuJjV-K2AVKaQ_aem_XrXiXqBzEAgVf0NtPtrkvw#Echobox=1767623854

 

[Turkish]

looks like their concerns were valid, unless it’s just the right wing stirring it up 

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/25739957.man-staying-southampton-asylum-hotel-admits-sex-offences/

 

[sadoldgit]

You find these people funny nic?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriotic_Alternative

[Gloucester Saint]

I think we’ve just identified what Niccy used to do for a living…

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg4n0vxl376o

[egg]

2 hours ago, Turkish said:

Used to love this place when I lived near there. Bad times

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/25740136.ceno-bar-restaurant-portswood-announces-closure/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZnRzaAPIvYBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe-z3pu-l-61VatKsOW8cC2G-2EuA_gkCSH8Hitdr2ahTUtzZuJjV-K2AVKaQ_aem_XrXiXqBzEAgVf0NtPtrkvw#Echobox=1767623854

 

Who do you believe, an unnamed spokesperson or Ceno's, or the spokesperson for Hampshire Police who said:

"Our local neighbourhood policing team have regular contact with businesses in the area, and have made near weekly visits to Cenos in recent months to try and engage with them and understand if there are any issues they want to raise or discuss with us.

"However, no concerns have been raised with our team on these visits.

"We are also not aware of any incidents of criminal damage."

Sounds like the finger of blame is being wrongly pointed. I'd hazard a guess that punters don't like all the agitated flag wavers outside though. 

[Turkish]

10 minutes ago, egg said:

Who do you believe, an unnamed spokesperson or Ceno's, or the spokesperson for Hampshire Police who said:

"Our local neighbourhood policing team have regular contact with businesses in the area, and have made near weekly visits to Cenos in recent months to try and engage with them and understand if there are any issues they want to raise or discuss with us.

"However, no concerns have been raised with our team on these visits.

"We are also not aware of any incidents of criminal damage."

Sounds like the finger of blame is being wrongly pointed. I'd hazard a guess that punters don't like all the agitated flag wavers outside though. 

Do you think a police spokesman would says "im not surprised, it's hell down there and has been for years"

[The Kraken]

15 minutes ago, egg said:

I'd hazard a guess that punters don't like all the agitated flag wavers outside though. 

According to the counter protesters, they also don’t like the agitated flag wavers inside either.  This is a message I received on it. All I can say is that I walked past the protests a couple of times and both sides were absolutely chock full of bellends who should know better.

 

Southampton Stand Up To Racism – Statement on the closure of Ceno Bar

The closure of Ceno Bar is sad news for Portswood, and for the workers and residents affected.

It is important, however, to be clear about the context.

Highfield House Hotel has been home to asylum seekers since 2020. During those years, local businesses — including Ceno Bar — operated alongside it without incident.

What changed was not the presence of asylum seekers.

What changed was the emergence of the far-right group calling themselves “Southampton Patriots”.

Over recent months, their repeated demonstrations outside the hotel — often two or three times a week and lasting for hours — have caused serious disruption. Local residents have experienced noise, intimidation and disturbance. Police time and resources have been repeatedly diverted to manage alcohol-fuelled protests that brought tension into a residential area.

This environment has consequences. Footfall drops. People stay away. Businesses suffer.

It was deeply unhelpful that far-right activists were reportedly allowed to use Ceno Bar as a base, reinforcing the perception that the protests were being tolerated or enabled. Many local people understandably chose not to frequent the venue as a result.

Attempts to blame asylum seekers or the hotel for the bar’s closure are misplaced and unfair.

The facts are clear:

Ceno Bar traded successfully for years alongside the hotel.

Its decline followed the start of sustained far-right activity last summer.

Portswood is a diverse, welcoming community. Residents and businesses want peace, safety and cohesion — not division, intimidation or racism.

Asylum seekers are part of our community and deserve dignity and respect.

Racism and far-right agitation have no place in Portswood.

[egg]

4 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Do you think a police spokesman would says "im not surprised, it's hell down there and has been for years"

The police wouldn't publicly lie and say there'd been no complaints of criminal damage if there had been, and that Ceno's had been asked to raise concerns if they hadn't. One side isn't telling the truth. 

I liked Ceno's back in the day. No way would I have gone there over recent times though. That's not because of the hotel residents, but because of the knuckle draggers hanging around. 

[egg]

3 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

According to the counter protesters, they also don’t like the agitated flag wavers inside either.  This is a message I received on it. All I can say is that I walked past the protests a couple of times and both sides were absolutely chock full of bellends who should know better.

 

Southampton Stand Up To Racism – Statement on the closure of Ceno Bar

The closure of Ceno Bar is sad news for Portswood, and for the workers and residents affected.

It is important, however, to be clear about the context.

Highfield House Hotel has been home to asylum seekers since 2020. During those years, local businesses — including Ceno Bar — operated alongside it without incident.

What changed was not the presence of asylum seekers.

What changed was the emergence of the far-right group calling themselves “Southampton Patriots”.

Over recent months, their repeated demonstrations outside the hotel — often two or three times a week and lasting for hours — have caused serious disruption. Local residents have experienced noise, intimidation and disturbance. Police time and resources have been repeatedly diverted to manage alcohol-fuelled protests that brought tension into a residential area.

This environment has consequences. Footfall drops. People stay away. Businesses suffer.

It was deeply unhelpful that far-right activists were reportedly allowed to use Ceno Bar as a base, reinforcing the perception that the protests were being tolerated or enabled. Many local people understandably chose not to frequent the venue as a result.

Attempts to blame asylum seekers or the hotel for the bar’s closure are misplaced and unfair.

The facts are clear:

Ceno Bar traded successfully for years alongside the hotel.

Its decline followed the start of sustained far-right activity last summer.

Portswood is a diverse, welcoming community. Residents and businesses want peace, safety and cohesion — not division, intimidation or racism.

Asylum seekers are part of our community and deserve dignity and respect.

Racism and far-right agitation have no place in Portswood.

Thanks, and that was my point. Who wants to go to an establishment with loads of yobs outside baying for brown blood. Ceno's have laid the blame at the door of the asylum seekers, not the people paying them a visit and causing issues. 

[Gloucester Saint]

1 hour ago, egg said:

The police wouldn't publicly lie and say there'd been no complaints of criminal damage if there had been, and that Ceno's had been asked to raise concerns if they hadn't. One side isn't telling the truth. 

I liked Ceno's back in the day. No way would I have gone there over recent times though. That's not because of the hotel residents, but because of the knuckle draggers hanging around. 

Ceno’s have just learned what Trump voters learned the hard way - aligning with overt racism is expensive and requires deep pockets. Clearly not deep enough in this instance and the owners have paid a hefty price. 

[Whitey Grandad]

2 hours ago, The Kraken said:

According to the counter protesters, they also don’t like the agitated flag wavers inside either.  This is a message I received on it. All I can say is that I walked past the protests a couple of times and both sides were absolutely chock full of bellends who should know better.

 

Southampton Stand Up To Racism – Statement on the closure of Ceno Bar

The closure of Ceno Bar is sad news for Portswood, and for the workers and residents affected.

It is important, however, to be clear about the context.

Highfield House Hotel has been home to asylum seekers since 2020. During those years, local businesses — including Ceno Bar — operated alongside it without incident.

What changed was not the presence of asylum seekers.

What changed was the emergence of the far-right group calling themselves “Southampton Patriots”.

Over recent months, their repeated demonstrations outside the hotel — often two or three times a week and lasting for hours — have caused serious disruption. Local residents have experienced noise, intimidation and disturbance. Police time and resources have been repeatedly diverted to manage alcohol-fuelled protests that brought tension into a residential area.

This environment has consequences. Footfall drops. People stay away. Businesses suffer.

It was deeply unhelpful that far-right activists were reportedly allowed to use Ceno Bar as a base, reinforcing the perception that the protests were being tolerated or enabled. Many local people understandably chose not to frequent the venue as a result.

Attempts to blame asylum seekers or the hotel for the bar’s closure are misplaced and unfair.

The facts are clear:

Ceno Bar traded successfully for years alongside the hotel.

Its decline followed the start of sustained far-right activity last summer.

Portswood is a diverse, welcoming community. Residents and businesses want peace, safety and cohesion — not division, intimidation or racism.

Asylum seekers are part of our community and deserve dignity and respect.

Racism and far-right agitation have no place in Portswood.

And there's the problem. 

[AlexLaw76]

West Midlands police 😂

[Turkish]

25 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

West Midlands police 😂

The police don’t lie pal

[AlexLaw76]

3 minutes ago, Turkish said:

The police don’t lie pal

Zionist hooligan plot