This is why we left the UK nearly 250 years ago; a parliament gone mad and government “experts” who thought they knew better then working men and and women, and who believed that force was the only option to get those men and women to submit. Now the descendants of those lowlifes who lost America are now doing the same madness on the home islands; people can never say they weren’t warned; all it will take is for a well meaning constable or “social media counselor” to do something stupid and you could have a genuine revolt at home. Maybe you need your own July 4……
“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality.”- Ayn Rand
This hits uncomfortably close to home. I spent my formative years in South Africa and watched the slow, almost imperceptible slide into chaos. Overcrowded prisons, crime so rampant it stopped registering, and sex offences that rarely resulted in real consequences. When corruption and ideology intertwine, the result isn’t utopia—it’s metastasis. A broken system with a scapegoat built in.
And now I’m watching similar cracks appear here in the UK.
I love this country. But saying that aloud now earns you suspicion. Either you’re a closet nationalist or “a bit Brexity,” whatever that means. Patriotism is now a slur, and earning above £37k a year is a sin—unless you’re loud about your virtue. Support the right causes, donate to the right charities, post it all online, and suddenly your privilege is forgiven or at least tolerated.
We’re arresting thousands over tweets while releasing predators early, who often reoffend more frequently than others. Our policies wobble between soft handed incompetence and hardline absurdity, and somehow both sides of the aisle are too ideologically blinkered to course correct.
What’s being described here isn’t just decay. It’s desensitisation.
And once a society loses its ability to feel outrage. Real, unbridled outrage, it becomes easy to govern through distraction, tribalism, and borrowed scapegoats. What comes next is the question we’re all avoiding.
It really is like watching a horror movie, screaming “no, don’t do that!” But you already know the main character will, and you’re powerless to stop it 😣
I think we need a Churchill like figure to see us out of this, particularly if things continue to escalate with Russia and Iran. Unfortunately we seem to have been stuck with a bunch of quivering Neville Chamberlains like figures for several years instead 🫤
Loving the content, Francis. A slight correction re. tax if I may… “In the UK if you earn over £37,700 you get hit with a 40% tax rate”
The 40% tax rate starts at £50,270 and is tiered, so you only pay 40% on the amount above £50k:
£0 - £12,570: 0% (the personal allowance)
£12,570 - £50,270: 20%
£50,270 - £125,140: 40%
£125,140+: 45%
The £37,700 you mentioned is the size of the basic rate tax bracket.
£100k to £125k has an effective tax rate of 60%, as you lose your personal allowance by £1 for every £2 you earn over £100k.
Rishi froze the thresholds in 2021, which is a tax by stealth (fiscal drag). The higher rate band, had no freeze occurred, would’ve been around £65k by now!
They remain frozen until 2028 and I wouldn’t be surprised if the freeze is extended as it’s an easy way to raise billions in taxes without officially raising a tax.
Great social commentary Francis, only problem is I think you undercooked it a little! I also did a Nigel Farage count and unfortunately you failed the test at zero. Must try harder!!
Sad facts. I, however, firmly believe mankind is mostly responsible, caring and considerate. It's the monsters in power that we need to confront.
We will continue to see corruption, abuse and injustice reign supreme across the planet until human beings gather and, as a united force, take a stand against the inhuman egos in power.
This is why we left the UK nearly 250 years ago; a parliament gone mad and government “experts” who thought they knew better then working men and and women, and who believed that force was the only option to get those men and women to submit. Now the descendants of those lowlifes who lost America are now doing the same madness on the home islands; people can never say they weren’t warned; all it will take is for a well meaning constable or “social media counselor” to do something stupid and you could have a genuine revolt at home. Maybe you need your own July 4……
“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality.”- Ayn Rand
Really funny, sharp, but oh so sad too.
This hits uncomfortably close to home. I spent my formative years in South Africa and watched the slow, almost imperceptible slide into chaos. Overcrowded prisons, crime so rampant it stopped registering, and sex offences that rarely resulted in real consequences. When corruption and ideology intertwine, the result isn’t utopia—it’s metastasis. A broken system with a scapegoat built in.
And now I’m watching similar cracks appear here in the UK.
I love this country. But saying that aloud now earns you suspicion. Either you’re a closet nationalist or “a bit Brexity,” whatever that means. Patriotism is now a slur, and earning above £37k a year is a sin—unless you’re loud about your virtue. Support the right causes, donate to the right charities, post it all online, and suddenly your privilege is forgiven or at least tolerated.
We’re arresting thousands over tweets while releasing predators early, who often reoffend more frequently than others. Our policies wobble between soft handed incompetence and hardline absurdity, and somehow both sides of the aisle are too ideologically blinkered to course correct.
What’s being described here isn’t just decay. It’s desensitisation.
And once a society loses its ability to feel outrage. Real, unbridled outrage, it becomes easy to govern through distraction, tribalism, and borrowed scapegoats. What comes next is the question we’re all avoiding.
I watched the same movie as you in SA and I am now watching the sequel too here in the UK. We know how it ends.😔
It really is like watching a horror movie, screaming “no, don’t do that!” But you already know the main character will, and you’re powerless to stop it 😣
💯 But in stead of screaming at the cinema or TV screen we are screaming at our phone screens. 🤷♀️
I think we need a Churchill like figure to see us out of this, particularly if things continue to escalate with Russia and Iran. Unfortunately we seem to have been stuck with a bunch of quivering Neville Chamberlains like figures for several years instead 🫤
Loving the content, Francis. A slight correction re. tax if I may… “In the UK if you earn over £37,700 you get hit with a 40% tax rate”
The 40% tax rate starts at £50,270 and is tiered, so you only pay 40% on the amount above £50k:
£0 - £12,570: 0% (the personal allowance)
£12,570 - £50,270: 20%
£50,270 - £125,140: 40%
£125,140+: 45%
The £37,700 you mentioned is the size of the basic rate tax bracket.
£100k to £125k has an effective tax rate of 60%, as you lose your personal allowance by £1 for every £2 you earn over £100k.
Rishi froze the thresholds in 2021, which is a tax by stealth (fiscal drag). The higher rate band, had no freeze occurred, would’ve been around £65k by now!
They remain frozen until 2028 and I wouldn’t be surprised if the freeze is extended as it’s an easy way to raise billions in taxes without officially raising a tax.
Once they raid your pay packet, then they steal even more with VAT, property tax, car tax, tv license etc.
They make the mafia blush.
Was a little worried no one might have picked this up...perhaps there is a need for an edit of the relevant pargraph the the piece!
Really funny 🤣
"Bit Brexity" or not immigration is a right dogs breakfast.
"Always look on the bright side of life."
I think it was a great British philosopher who said that 🤔
One thing I am proud of about Britian, is we know how to do the best podcasts. 😘👌
As opposed to "the dog's bollocks." Whatever happened to Eddie Izzard? I really liked his comedy, if not his politics.
Great essay Frankie!
The French at least eat and drink better…
It’s not that bad Francis, we talked about it a few weeks back… sure it will hit the fan
But any change comes with pain…
Look at the bright side - you’ll have a slavic experience to go through, and you can be jaded and fucked up like us😀
The Labrador made me chuckle
Great social commentary Francis, only problem is I think you undercooked it a little! I also did a Nigel Farage count and unfortunately you failed the test at zero. Must try harder!!
The much much worse is probably on the way 🥲
What?! We are all going to turn French? Sacre bleu!!! Oh no, the transformation has begun 😱
That's as bad as it could get 😂
It’s tragic. But if we don’t laugh, we’ll cry, so thanks for this.
Brilliant! We really are a screwed up country now.
not funny Francis. Are you off colour?
How about you move to the U.S.? The U.K. is like California. Eventually, it forces you to leave.
Thanks for this post.
Sad facts. I, however, firmly believe mankind is mostly responsible, caring and considerate. It's the monsters in power that we need to confront.
We will continue to see corruption, abuse and injustice reign supreme across the planet until human beings gather and, as a united force, take a stand against the inhuman egos in power.
Written in a tongue in cheek way, but hits the spot in truths! Really good piece Francis!
Must say, I found myself laughing several times while reading this.