The “ I’ve got something to say, but it doesn’t warrant its own thread “ thread.

[BenTheFox]

On 23/07/2025 at 05:34, Sampson said:

I would say though. Why I think it clearly does cause issues and people are right to feel that way, the reality is we *do* have to accept either mass immigration or raising of the pension age, things like winter fuel allowance being cut, less NHS treatment etc. That is just the reality of an ageing population, it’s going to be impossible in a few decades to have a population of a working population entirely working to fund a pension system otherwise and there’s not much the ruling parties can do when the electorate won’t accept either option.
 

And populists are just saying “no you don’t need to accept either”, but then offer no explanation of what they’d do instead (because their isn’t an answer) other than blame the civil service and separation of powers as being slow beurocracy and scream “we’d get things done” by making the government overly powerful and removing the separation of powers that 2,000+ years of European history have shown us democracy needs to stop individuals being able to get too powerful and create authoritarianism. 

As someone who is on the left I can fully acknowledge how out of step the left are with the majority of the country on immigration. It's a difficult issue for the left to deal with because, as you've mentioned, we have an ageing population, and a declining birth rate. Someone on the right is going to have to tell me how radically reducing net migration figures wouldn't result in raising the pension age and an even further decline public service provision and what alternatives could be employed to alleviate these problems. 

 

One way of addressing our ageing population is to massively increase the birthrate by encouraging people to have children. There are a couple of very big issues here. One obvious issue is that this doesn't address the problems that come with an ageing population is that this doesn't resolve immediate labour shortages. Children also require 16 years + of state investment in the form of education and health care. The even bigger issue is that fewer and fewer people can afford to have children. If you are going to encourage people to have children, you have to introduce policies that make having children more affordable, whether it be state subsidies for childcare, building more social housing, giving workers better bargaining rights for higher wages etc. These are things that the right typically oppose. 

 

An argument I hear is that our identity has been somewhat watered down by the influence of immigration with Turkish barbers, Polish butcher shops and foreign takeaways etc. popping up in our town centres. I am actually somewhat sympathetic to this argument. However, many of the people making those arguments don't seem to have an issue with town centres also being dominated by American fast food restaurants such as McDonald's, Starbucks, KFC, Subway etc. For the record, I am not comfortable with that either. However, British town centres are in a dire state and I suppose I'd rather there be fewer empty commercial units and more people out spending money and enjoying themselves. 

 

Another thing worth mentioning is that over the past few years, a large percentage of the net migration figures have been foreign students. Foreign students bring in vast amounts of foreign capital to the UK by paying far more for degrees. Our university education is a very large export. This is very good for our economy and wanting to drastically cut these numbers is a very bad idea. 

Edited 25 July 2025 by BenTheFox

[Jon the Hat]

7 hours ago, BenTheFox said:

Another thing worth mentioning is that over the past few years, a large percentage of the net migration figures have been foreign students. Foreign students bring in vast amounts of foreign capital to the UK by paying far more for degrees. Our university education is a very large export. This is very good for our economy wanting to drastically cut these numbers is a very bad idea. 

Australia has just cut the number of international students allowed, at least partly to reduce the pressure on housing.  Universities are not happy.

[urban.spaceman]

I cannot for the life of me remember the last time I dialled 1471.

 

[Parafox]

3 minutes ago, urban.spaceman said:

I cannot for the life of me remember the last time I dialled 1471.

 

 

I guess not many people have landlines these days.

[FoyleFox]

10 hours ago, urban.spaceman said:

I cannot for the life of me remember the last time I dialled 1471.

 

I did a couple of weeks ago. First time for months. My mother does it each time she returns home from being out. 

[Trav Le Bleu]

On 25/07/2025 at 01:02, BenTheFox said:

One way of addressing our ageing population is to massively increase the birthrate by encouraging people to have children

Labour's next campaign slogan - Shag, shag and shag some more!

 

I think it'd be popular.

[CosbehFox]

A piss up with the England Female team looks it would be far more entertaining and full of personality than the same with the male squad. 

[Parafox]

1 hour ago, CosbehFox said:

A piss up with the England Female team looks it would be far more entertaining and full of personality than the same with the male squad. 

 

Unless JV was on the decks. 

[FoyleFox]

5 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

A piss up with the England Female team looks it would be far more entertaining and full of personality than the same with the male squad. 

It's quite a low bar that though... I'm not seeing a night out (after any of the previous tournaments) with Southgate and Kane as a great night! 

[Trav Le Bleu]

Peta calls for Skegness mascot Jolly Fisherman to be replaced - BBC News

 

https://share.google/zQr5Nv7FxGkS9Ii3a

 

Triggered!

 

[Samilktray]

I’ve had an ear infection since Saturday and this is 1 of the most unpleasant things I can remember going through 

[Foxdiamond]

2 minutes ago, Samilktray said:

I’ve had an ear infection since Saturday and this is 1 of the most unpleasant things I can remember going through 

Very nasty. Hope you have a quick recovery 

[RonnieTodger]

Jeremy Vine’s Radio 2 show is wild.

 

He’s just read a load of heartfelt texts about Gaza and gone straight into Fight For This Love by Cheryl Cole.

Edited 30 July 2025 by RonnieTodger

[bovril]

2 minutes ago, RonnieTodger said:

Jeremy Vine’s Radio 2 show is wild.

 

He’s just read a load of heartfelt texts about Gaza and gone straight into Fight For This Love by Cheryl Cole.

 

[jonthefox]

Would you rather be first in line to fight Oleksandr Usyk , or last in line to bang Bonnie Blue?.

[Sly]

1 minute ago, jonthefox said:

Would you rather be first in line to fight Oleksandr Usyk , or last in line to bang Bonnie Blue?.

Uysk, how is that even a question!!! 

 

[The Bear]

2 minutes ago, Sly said:

Uysk, how is that even a question!!! 

 

Either way you'd be flat on your back and fvcked within 30s!

[Sly]

5 minutes ago, The Bear said:

Either way you'd be flat on your back and fvcked within 30s!

I’m taller than Uysk. 
 

I reckon if I keep him at range with my jab, I could last a minute. 

[CosbehFox]

8 hours ago, RonnieTodger said:

Jeremy Vine’s Radio 2 show is wild.

 

He’s just read a load of heartfelt texts about Gaza and gone straight into Fight For This Love by Cheryl Cole.

Yeah it’s Partridge 

[CosbehFox]

18 hours in Kingston upon Thames yesterday for work. A real mix in its population those not able to pay Richmond/Twickenham prices and YouKay, roadmen. 

[Parafox]

On 30/07/2025 at 07:39, Trav Le Bleu said:

Peta calls for Skegness mascot Jolly Fisherman to be replaced - BBC News

 

https://share.google/zQr5Nv7FxGkS9Ii3a

 

Triggered!

 

Me too.

 

What kind of ****ery is this?

[ithuriel]

On 28/07/2025 at 12:10, urban.spaceman said:

I cannot for the life of me remember the last time I dialled 1471.

 

Have an answer phone and have done a few times, had quite a few from sales peeps saying they are energy advisors and on occasion some really dodgy calls about a huge amount suddenly spent on Amazon or Ebay and I should ring there bank advisory team  a simple F off can be quite therapeutic.

Edited 31 July 2025 by ithuriel

[Trav Le Bleu]

1 hour ago, Parafox said:

Me too.

 

What kind of ****ery is this?

Yeah.

 

If the Jolly Fisherman was gleefully bludgeoning fish on a rock or hysterically tossing dynamite over the side of his boat, it might make sense.

 

Might.

[Tommy G]

2 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

18 hours in Kingston upon Thames yesterday for work. A real mix in its population those not able to pay Richmond/Twickenham prices and YouKay, roadmen. 

What’s YouKay roadmen?

 

As I fall deeper into my 30s I can’t keep up with the language these days. 
 

I had to look up aura farming the other day.

[leicsmac]

15 minutes ago, Tommy G said:

What’s YouKay roadmen?

 

As I fall deeper into my 30s I can’t keep up with the language these days. 
 

I had to look up aura farming the other day.

It's an absolute minefield, isn't it?

 

Goodbyes knows what half to two thirds of both the terms and emoji that Gen A use really mean to them.