What Is Happening To Our Country?

[Gloucester Saint]

21 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Of course I want less immigration. A majority of the British people want that too. More of particular types of people will equal a higher rate of crime. Not difficult to understand but I'm fine with you tapping out.

A majority also want a free at the point of entry health service, social care at affordable levels for their folks and to have a state pension if they’re not already OAPs when they get there. Reduce legal migration further and with an ageing population that become impossible in the near future.

So they need to decide what’s most important.

Having blown several % off the economy witn Brexit from the same part of the electorate, their margin for further error is small.

Asylum is where most of us agree there needs to be further reductions.

Edited Wednesday at 19:08 by Gloucester Saint

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, Gloucester Saint said:

A majority also want a free at the point of entry health service, social care at affordable levels for their folks and to have a state pension if they’re not already OAPs when they get there. Reduce legal migration further and with an ageing population that become impossible in the near future.

So they need to decide what’s most important.

Having blown several % off the economy witn Brexit from the same part of the electorate, their margin for further error is small.

I can't speak for others but I am pro immigration and pro controlled immigration as a priority.

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

I can't speak for others but I am pro immigration and pro controlled immigration as a priority.

Fair enough. As long as enough of the population realise and acknowledge the trade offs needed.

[hypochondriac]

2 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Fair enough. As long as enough of the population realise and acknowledge the trade offs needed.

I believe there is much we can do on a policy level in order to reduce (though not eliminate) our reliance on unskilled immigration from abroad. The first thing I would do is stop all benefits to anyone who isn't a British citizen. I also believe that if we were much stricter and quicker about removing people who shouldn't be here then the general public would be on average more welcoming of the immigrants who are grateful to be here, seizing opportunities presented to them and being a benefit to the country. 

[ecuk268]

4 hours ago, whelk said:

The northern Irish have always loved a balaclava and a riot 

 

[Gloucester Saint]

3 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

I believe there is much we can do on a policy level in order to reduce (though not eliminate) our reliance on unskilled immigration from abroad. The first thing I would do is stop all benefits to anyone who isn't a British citizen. I also believe that if we were much stricter and quicker about removing people who shouldn't be here then the general public would be on average more welcoming of the immigrants who are grateful to be here, seizing opportunities presented to them and being a benefit to the country. 

Firmly in agreement on the second point. This is where far more volume of tribunals and less judges chairing asylum appeals is inevitable.

On the first point, someone can come here for a skilled job, be sponsored to come and the firm either goes pop for reasons none of their making or gets taken over. I’d be uncomfortable if they didn’t have a bit of bridge/safety net until the next role which they should secure with the skills they came in on. Time limited to some extent but if they’re homeless at the end of the month that’s going into America territory.

We need to re-skill our own NEETs but it takes time, a lot of coaching and investment, and there needs to be semi-stable jobs to go into. It might help ease some of the resentment though for their parents/grandparents. 

 

[Gloucester Saint]

3 minutes ago, ecuk268 said:

 

Doesn’t take a lot with the hardest core bits of the UDF or dissident Republicans.

Change from Guinness to Murphy’s (which I actually prefer) being served in their local pub is probably sufficient for two full days of rioting, and 3 burned out buses. 

Edited Wednesday at 19:31 by Gloucester Saint

[Saint_clark]

26 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Fair enough. As long as enough of the population realise and acknowledge the trade offs needed.

Large scale alterations to the cultural outlook of the country is not a necessary sacrifice anywhere else in the world, so shouldn't be here. 

[Gloucester Saint]

7 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Large scale alterations to the cultural outlook of the country is not a necessary sacrifice anywhere else in the world, so shouldn't be here. 

Depends who is coming in. Many churches are only still open due to Polish and Nigerian incomers for work.

And most parts of the world, certainly Europe, haven’t flogged off most if not all of their essential infrastructure and failed to translate their oil boom into a sovereign fund like Norway. Add in the debts, Brexit economic impact and yes, sacrifices and compromises are necessary if we are to have a comprehensive health system, better social care and financial provision still when we’re older.

Edited Wednesday at 19:46 by Gloucester Saint
Incomers

[Gloucester Saint]

The water companies are a disaster. Thames is bad enough but South West Water is another level of criminal. The water bills are eyewatering in Devon and Cornwall for supposedly keeping the beaches clean. And there was the Brixham poisoning incident.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2d8krmgj9o

 

[hypochondriac]

49 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Firmly in agreement on the second point. This is where far more volume of tribunals and less judges chairing asylum appeals is inevitable.

On the first point, someone can come here for a skilled job, be sponsored to come and the firm either goes pop for reasons none of their making or gets taken over. I’d be uncomfortable if they didn’t have a bit of bridge/safety net until the next role which they should secure with the skills they came in on. Time limited to some extent but if they’re homeless at the end of the month that’s going into America territory.

We need to re-skill our own NEETs but it takes time, a lot of coaching and investment, and there needs to be semi-stable jobs to go into. It might help ease some of the resentment though for their parents/grandparents. 

 

Agree with that. I'd be happy to have time limited benefits in certain limited circumstances like you describe. It would remove them as an incentive then.

[ecuk268]

50 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Depends who is coming in. Many churches are only still open due to Polish and Nigerian incomers for work.

And most parts of the world, certainly Europe, haven’t flogged off most if not all of their essential infrastructure and failed to translate their oil boom into a sovereign fund like Norway. Add in the debts, Brexit economic impact and yes, sacrifices and compromises are necessary if we are to have a comprehensive health system, better social care and financial provision still when we’re older.

Over 400000 are students without which a number of UK universities would be in financial trouble.

[AlexLaw76]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/10/asylum-officers-england-badges-could-intimidate-migrants/

[Osvaldorama]

Interesting call on LBC. Shows how out of touch the politicians are with 80% of the country 

[tdmickey3]

4 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

Interesting call on LBC. Shows how out of touch the politicians are with 80% of the country 

Interesting to you and the rioters in Southampton and NI, I have no doubt

[badgerx16]

19 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

Interesting call on LBC. Shows how out of touch the politicians are with 80% of the country 

Where does "80%* come from ? Just because a caller on LBC wasn't a raving nutcase does not mean he is correct in his assertions.

[Farmer Saint]

32 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

Interesting call on LBC. Shows how out of touch the politicians are with 80% of the country 

What, that you can't remove people who are here legally? What kind of fuckwit would think that's a good idea?

And where did the 80% number come from? I didn't realise that this country was that full of cunts.

[AlexLaw76]

1 hour ago, Farmer Saint said:

What, that you can't remove people who are here legally? What kind of fuckwit would think that's a good idea?

And where did the 80% number come from? I didn't realise that this country was that full of cunts.

The chap who tried to cut the head off a a stranger is here legally. Guess anyone who wants him removed is some sort of fuckwit 

each to their own 

[Turkish]

35 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

The chap who tried to cut the head off a a stranger is here legally. Guess anyone who wants him removed is some sort of fuckwit 

each to their own 

Which part of the NHS was he working in? Or was he an engineer?

[ecuk268]

"Robert Jenrick has asked who granted the Belfast attacker a five-year visa to remain, before quickly realising it was him. 

Jenrick was the government’s Immigration Minister in 2023 when the attacker was granted leave to remain in the UK, a fact he appears to have conveniently forgotten over the last 48 hours.

“Oh shit, that was me wasn’t it?” said former immigration minister Robert Jenrick.

“Okay, well that makes things slightly tricky for me. I’ve literally just announced Reform would ban visas for anyone coming from Sudan. People are going to think I’m lying again. We don’t want that, do we?

“I suppose if I keep lying they might just believe I had nothing to do with letting the attacker stay in the UK in the first place. Yes, that’s it. I’ll act like it was nothing to do with me, and that it was the current government’s fault it happened. Reform voters will believe any old tripe we feed them.

“In fact, I bet if I’m really savvy about it I could probably convince Reform supporters that Keir Starmer was actually immigration minister in 2023. Obviously a quick Google search and having the slightest bit of common sense would expose my lie. But hey, that’s not something I really have to worry about with this lot, is it?

“God, I love Reform.”

[AlexLaw76]

Good tips

 

[Anders]

On 10/06/2026 at 12:42, Turkish said:

It very easy to dismiss it all as people just being racist, that’s a big part of the problem. 
 

The UK is on its arse, people are struggling and whilst the country has gone to the gutter we’ve seen a increase in mass immigration, a succession of terror attacks and murders and an increase in diversity and inclusion to the point where if you watch TV you’d think every family in the country was mixed racist with one gay and one disabled person. the whole time the average man on the street is told that theyre the problem 

I’ve used the example of Bradford in the past. I’ve lived up north for nearly 14 years and people tell me 20 Years ago Bradford was  great city, diverse yes, a large Asian community but by and large everyone got on side by side. Now it’s a cesspit over run with drug and grooming gangs, crime is through the roof, it’s filthy and you wouldn’t want to walk anywhere in the city alone at night. If you were a Bradford person who had seen that happen over the last 20 years yet were told nothing was wrong, in facts it’s all wonderful and if you don’t agree it’s your fault and you’re racist to say so I wonder how that would make you feel?

it’s easy for middle class people to sit in their comfortable homes dismissing everyone as racist and of course it doesn’t excuse people behaving like morons but maybe there is a bit more to it than “well everyone is racist”

Bradford? This Bradford? 🤔

[Gloucester Saint]

22 hours ago, ecuk268 said:

Over 400000 are students without which a number of UK universities would be in financial trouble.

And shouldn’t be in the net migration figures in the first place.

[Gloucester Saint]

16 minutes ago, Anders said:

Bradford? This Bradford? 🤔

The same Bradford where the Muslim households of Manningham neighbouring Valley Parade opened their doors en masse to help supporters fleeing the fire disaster in 1985 including access to their telephones pre mobile phones and comfort.

 

[Turkish]

2 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

The same Bradford where the Muslim households of Manningham neighbouring Valley Parade opened their doors en masse to help supporters fleeing the fire disaster in 1985 including access to their telephones pre mobile phones and comfort.

 

Exactly 

[ecuk268]

15 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

And shouldn’t be in the net migration figures in the first place.

If they weren't then the last year's net migration figures of 171000 would be -229000.

[The Wyvern]

5 minutes ago, ecuk268 said:

If they weren't then the last year's net migration figures of 171000 would be -229000.

Surely they’re counted when they arrive and depart, so net effect either way would be quite minimal?

[ecuk268]

9 minutes ago, The Wyvern said:

Surely they’re counted when they arrive and depart, so net effect either way would be quite minimal?

Not quite that simple.

They don't all graduate and go home. A student visa is for 2 or 3 years.

About 60% get new visas for post-graduate studies or employment. After 5 years you can apply to remain permanently,

Prior to 2023 some were dropping out of their degree programs and getting work visas as it was seen as an easy route to staying permanently.

This loophole has now been closed and they need to complete their degree if the they want a new visa.

[The Wyvern]

2 minutes ago, ecuk268 said:

Not quite that simple.

They don't all graduate and go home. A student visa is for 2 or 3 years.

About 60% get new visas for post-graduate studies or employment. After 5 years you can apply to remain permanently,

Prior to 2023 some were dropping out of their degree programs and getting work visas as it was seen as an easy route to staying permanently.

This loophole has now been closed and they need to complete their degree if the they want a new visa.

So it makes sense they’re included in the net migration figure. 

[ecuk268]

1 hour ago, The Wyvern said:

So it makes sense they’re included in the net migration figure. 

Probably, yes.

What often gets overlooked is that they pay more in fees than UK students so they are of significant benefit to the UK economy not just in fees but in their everyday living expenditure.

[Farmer Saint]

On 11/06/2026 at 10:27, AlexLaw76 said:

The chap who tried to cut the head off a a stranger is here legally. Guess anyone who wants him removed is some sort of fuckwit 

each to their own 

Not sure how you've got to the point where removing one person who tried to cut someone's head off is the same as removing everyone. Perhaps you can explain that?

[Gloucester Saint]

7 hours ago, ecuk268 said:

Probably, yes.

What often gets overlooked is that they pay more in fees than UK students so they are of significant benefit to the UK economy not just in fees but in their everyday living expenditure.

Quite. If they’re going to be counted in the figures then at least there should be some proper acknowledgement that they are a significant net contributor and they are funding large numbers of domestic jobs for UK people who then pay tax on that.