Did we have the best of it ? Is Britain Lost ?

[safarimike11]

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Preston at the moment.

 

Where are you?

Sorry, the "planet" reply was meant for "sidjameson".

[Nick Carter icp]

14 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Was Britain of the late 70s and 80s—despite the strikes, inflation, and blackouts—a better place to live than the Britain of today?

Back then, there was struggle, yes—but there was also unity.

 

   Unity ?

Not for the younger ones it wasn't . 

Football supporters were fighting each other regularly. 

Punks, Skins and Moss were fighting each other regularly .

Postcode wars .

Then you had the Left and Right fighting .

Ethnic monitories getting attacked and well as gay bashing , race riots

Horrible violent times where there was violence everywhere 

 

 

 

[Screaming]

Well, the Supreme Court of Britain backs biological definition of men and women:

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg7pqzk47zo

 

The Brits got that going for them. Back in the good-ol-USA the Democrats cannot figure out what a man and woman are.

[Nick Carter icp]

5 minutes ago, Screaming said:

Well, the Supreme Court of Britain backs biological definition of men and women:

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg7pqzk47zo

 

The Brits got that going for them. Back in the good-ol-USA the Democrats cannot figure out what a man and woman are.

 

   Theres a thread about it here 

 

 

[MalcolmB]

Life is better than ever.

But more people complain.

 

The easier they have it the more they complain.

 

It is pretty pathetic.

[connda]

14 hours ago, CharlieH said:

It’s a question gaining traction across the country: did we have the best of it? Was Britain of the late 70s and 80s—despite the strikes, inflation, and blackouts—a better place to live than the Britain of today?

Yes it was.

[geisha]

2 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Politics, laws, economics, they can all be reversed.

 

Look at the whole trans thing.  At first people where willing to make changes in order to try to help trans people feel better.  Then, after a while, all the dangers came to light and it became obvious that people weren't acting in good faith and vulnerable people were being harmed or endangered.  It took a little bit of time, but gradually people woke up and things started to be put right.  And that's just over the last few years.

 

There's very often things that people can do.  Even just keeping a dialogue open and voicing your concerns is enough.

They’ve changed the law in UK since yesterday. Now, women are women again, which I’m happy with. The trans will have a different  choice of toilettes, hospital beds, sports events etc.

[geisha]

Illégal immigration should have never been allowed from the beginning.  They are costing the UK 7 million euros a day in lodging/ houses alone .Thats why the UK is going down the toilet. Only that.

[Kinnock]

49 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Preston at the moment.

 

Where are you?

Preston - used to have a busy port, now only has students or the unemployed.

[sidjameson]

47 minutes ago, safarimike11 said:

Sorry, the "planet" reply was meant for "sidjameson".

If you're up for a proper discussion about 80's Uk compared to today then say how you disagree.

[NanLaew]

48 minutes ago, safarimike11 said:

Pattaya: all the best.

 

Great place in the 80's but Oswaldtwistle is more fun these days. No need for speed.

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, Kinnock said:

Preston - used to have a busy port, now only has students or the unemployed.

 

And me. Neither a student nor unemployed.

 

Amazing, eh?

[Kinok Farang]

15 hours ago, NanLaew said:

We also had the best of Thailand when we came here in the 70's and 80's.

 

Things change and so do people.

 

Deal with it.

Hope you had more manners when you first came here,smart arse.

[Kinok Farang]

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

 

Great place in the 80's but Oswaldtwistle is more fun these days. No need for speed.

Only because it's half an hour from the Turf.

[Kinok Farang]

10 hours ago, sidjameson said:

Better food now.

Skilled working class labour like plumbing much better paid now.

Better TV, free (entertainment online) now.

Better minimum wage now.

Houses better heated now.

Anyone can and does enter university now.

Better flights to Europe now. Much cheaper.

Better state pension now.

Better access to information now.

Less perverts like Jimmy saville now.

Better place to be gay now.

Better place to be a woman now.

People less racist now.

Cheaper pubs now.

 

Things much better now, albeit there are problems that need fixing.

Not much fun for the thousands of grooming gang victims.

[NanLaew]

12 minutes ago, Kinok Farang said:

Hope you had more manners when you first came here,smart arse.

 

Oooh...nice. Let me me guess here.

 

Burnley?

 

9 minutes ago, Kinok Farang said:

Only because it's half an hour from the Turf.

 

Yes!

 

A dingle!!

 

Result!!!

[Kinok Farang]

8 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Oooh...nice. Let me me guess here.

 

Burnley?

 

 

Yes!

 

A dingle!!

 

Result!!!  

[nausea]

It was never that great during my lifetime, declining Empire mindset and all that. I have to say though, as a boomer, it was difficult not to make money just by existing. Feel sorry for today's kids. Having said that, my extended family in the UK seem to be doing OK, like some guys are always gonna make the best of a bad job. The weak and the listless fall by the wayside, but the guys (and gals, to be clear I use guys as a cover all nomenclature), those with a bit of vim and verve aren't doing so bad. Diffucult times though for sure, difficult times.

[sidjameson]

1 hour ago, Kinok Farang said:

Not much fun for the thousands of grooming gang victims.

Good point.

[sidjameson]

1980 average salary £25k pa (today's money)

2025 minimum wage £25k pa.

[Kinok Farang]

8 minutes ago, sidjameson said:

1980 average salary £25k pa (today's money)

2025 minimum wage £25k pa.

Nowhere near £25k salary in Lancashire in 1980.Bricklayers had to travel to Germany to earn anywhere near that.

[Kinok Farang]

7 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

If things "usually" change for the better, why are their increased global conflicts. Why is there more flooding, more wildfires, more weather extremes. Why is there more political extremism?

 

Back on topic, unless you blindly believe everything you read and see in the mainstream and social media, I don't see how 25 years of self-imposed 'exile' on Samui allows you to comment on the "here and now" in your homeland.

 

 

I agree while there are towns and regions in the UK where there are chronic issues, for the greater part of the UK, it is the opposite.

 

Like the stories of drunk British people in Pattaya are grabbing the headlines here and, for some here, paints an inaccurate picture of both the Brits and Pattaya, the truth, the good news, is that most British visitors aren't drunken hooligans.

No they take drugs too.

[Kinok Farang]

3 hours ago, geisha said:

They’ve changed the law in UK since yesterday. Now, women are women again, which I’m happy with. The trans will have a different  choice of toilettes, hospital beds, sports events etc.

Yes men are allowed to stop and search under the frocks of transwomen now.i can think of better jobs.

[anotherexpat4444]

all the hardworking  english people are working to feed the jihadi's and there 4 wives and  the countless  children including the inbred ones . 

[giddyup]

17 hours ago, Don Giovanni said:

I personally wouldn't.

 

I would let nature run it's course, understand that natural selection has chosen me for eradication, then once the pain set in, fly to Switzerland and hook myself up to the lethal injection.... Take a few deep breaths, play some nice music, and then...

 

(Press) Goodnight, Vienna.

 

The Don.

If you opt for assisted dying you aren't letting nature run it's course, are you?

[newbee2022]

23 hours ago, CharlieH said:

 

Did We Have the Best of It?

Reflecting on a Britain That Once Was

It’s a question gaining traction across the country: did we have the best of it? Was Britain of the late 70s and 80s—despite the strikes, inflation, and blackouts—a better place to live than the Britain of today?

 

Back then, there was struggle, yes—but there was also unity. The country came together to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee with street parties. You could speak your mind without a knock at the door. Children roamed the streets safely. Christianity shaped our cultural calendar, from hymns in schools to nativity plays, and no one was arrested for quoting the Bible in public.

 

Now, That Same Country Feels Foreign

Fast-forward to today, and it’s a different world. Preaching the Bible in a town centre can lead to arrest for “offensive” speech. Meanwhile, the Islamic call to prayer can be broadcast over a microphone in the high street without challenge. People are noticing. It’s not about religion—it’s about double standards. One set of rules for some, another for everyone else.

Two-tier policing has become visible. Social media posts—if they express the “wrong” opinion—can now carry a criminal sentence of up to two years. Law-abiding citizens are being treated like threats, while actual threats are often ignored or excused under the banner of “tolerance.”

 

Taxed, Ignored, and Left Behind

While this happens, the British taxpayer is squeezed harder than ever. People who have worked and contributed all their lives are now struggling to heat their homes, feed their families, and keep up with soaring bills. Yet illegal migrants are put up in hotels, given allowances, and provided with legal representation—funded by the very people now struggling to get by.

The question many are asking is no longer just “what happened?” but “why is this allowed to continue?”

 

What Did We Lose?

Mass immigration has changed the face of Britain. Some welcome that change. Others feel alienated by it—unheard in their own country, told that their concerns are racist, backward, or unimportant. National identity has become a battleground. The Union Jack is controversial. Royal celebrations are met with protests. Even the idea of being proud to be British can get you labelled.

 

So—Did We Have the Best of It?

Maybe we did.
Maybe the best of Britain was when it still felt like home.

 

One thing is for sure, I'm glad I got out of there when I did, I sure as hell wouldn't want to live there now. 

 

"Even the idea of being proud to be British"

...and this proudness is based on what ???? Harry Potter ?😂

[safarimike11]

9 hours ago, sidjameson said:

If you're up for a proper discussion about 80's Uk compared to today then say how you disagree.

I basically disagree with all your points.

[leonard beaven]

17 hours ago, sidjameson said:

Better food now.

Skilled working class labour like plumbing much better paid now.

Better TV, free (entertainment online) now.

Better minimum wage now.

Houses better heated now.

Anyone can and does enter university now.

Better flights to Europe now. Much cheaper.

Better state pension now.

Better access to information now.

Less perverts like Jimmy saville now.

Better place to be gay now.

Better place to be a woman now.

People less racist now.

Cheaper pubs now.

 

Things much better now, albeit there are problems that need fixing.

Not sure which Britain your in,,but check your list, then please tell me where Britain is better.better still,no don't bother.take a look into parliament and see how many foreigners are now running our country.Britain back in the 1960/70's was good,we were British and proud to say so.

I on a pension,and I'm treated better in Thailand than I would be back there.

[shackleton]

I think asking expats who live in Thailand  about life in the UK

Is 

That's why they are here The UK is not the Country it was was for all different reasons immigration woke asylum seekers all getting better  benefits than Brits sleeping on the streets and so nothing is positive any more 

I will just say I am glad I am here ✋️ 

 

[Tropicalevo]

13 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Back on topic, unless you blindly believe everything you read and see in the mainstream and social media, I don't see how 25 years of self-imposed 'exile' on Samui allows you to comment on the "here and now" in your homeland.

 

Hmm, I seem to have hit a nerve with you.

Sorry if I did.

To answer your question -

Samui has an International airport and many choices of ferries.

I have a passport.

This means that I can travel - lots.

My job allows me to communicate with people daily, mostly face to face.

I listen more than I talk (as explained to me by a professional salesman - two ears but one mouth).

Then, I also have friends and family that I communicate with.

Whilst I have not lived in the UK for more than 32 years, I have been there often, although not since Covid.

Friends who visit every year are now saying the same thing.

They are not sure if they will go back again for a holiday.

Just a quick personal visit or an emergency.

My daughter and granddaughter still live there and are happy.

My D-I-L and her children still live there but have moved to the countryside.

They started to feel 'uncomfortable' in the larger urban areas.