It’s easy to point fingers when things go wrong, and lately, immigration—legal and illegal—has been a lightning rod for Britain’s frustrations. I understand the concerns about integration and the pressures on our communities, but the real issue runs deeper.
Over the past two years, we’ve seen significant demographic shifts, with some claiming that 2% of the British population has been “replaced.” (source - Of about 69,000,000 people in the UK; another 1.3 million net, came to the UK in 2023 and 2024 = about 1.8%) But blaming the boats and immigrants misses part of the bigger picture: Britain’s decline has been decades in the making, driven not only by newcomers but by systemic failures rooted in our own society.
Since the 1960s, Britain has been on a downward trajectory. It wasn’t Margaret Thatcher who kicked off the economic struggles—monetarism and cutbacks began under the Labour government in the late 1970s, which even required an IMF bailout.
By 1979, the Tories capitalized on the slogan “Labour Isn’t Working” amid a global recession that deepened our woes. Fast forward to today, and the challenges persist: a budget deficit potentially ballooning to £100-200 billion, whispers of another IMF intervention, and an economy struggling to stay afloat.
https://www.idnfinancials.com/news/57125/britain-faces-threat-of-2025-fiscal-crisis-need-an-imf-bailout
The public sector tells a similar story. Despite claims of austerity since the end of COVID, governments across the UK—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—have added 200,000 to 250,000 public sector workers. How can we call this austerity when employment in this sector has surged? Meanwhile, unemployment hovers around 30% in some areas, with millions either unable or unwilling to work—a situation that’s simply unsustainable.
But it’s not just economics. There’s a cultural malaise, too. I saw it first-hand today in Glasgow’s affluent West End, a place that, like many British cities, feels like it’s been crumbling for decades. I went to a local gym to lift weights, only to find a group of teenagers loitering, disrupting the space with no regard for others.
I guarantee you that in countries like Japan, South Korea and CERTAINLY not in Cambodia, this wouldn’t happen—discipline and respect for shared spaces are non-negotiable there. Here, I had to move to another set of weights, knowing that intervening would likely get me in trouble. This small incident reflects a broader lack of discipline that’s plagued Britain since the 1960s, when we began to lose our sense of collective responsibility.
Immigrants aren’t the root of this problem, though some argue they exacerbate it. The real issue lies with the majority—80-85% of the population, particularly the middle and working classes—who’ve allowed this decline to fester. From economic mismanagement to a lack of civic pride, we’ve failed to keep up with the rest of the world.
The irony? The world seems to be catching up to our struggles, with similar issues emerging in France, Germany, and beyond.
So, what’s the solution? Some pin their hopes on Reform, but I’m sceptical it’ll change much. Our democratic system, while valuable, has struggled to address these deep-rooted issues. Stronger leadership—perhaps even a more authoritative approach, as seen in places like China—might be needed to restore order and purpose. But that’s a tough sell in a country that cherishes its alleged freedoms - where a misplaced social media post will get you jail time.
Britain isn’t doomed, but we’re at a crossroads. Blaming immigrants or any single group won’t fix our problems. We need to confront the real issues—economic instability, cultural drift, and a lack of discipline—with honesty and bold action.
What do you think?
Can we turn things around, or are we stuck in a race to the bottom?
Over the past two years, we’ve seen significant demographic shifts, with some claiming that 2% of the British population has been “replaced.” (source - Of about 69,000,000 people in the UK; another 1.3 million net, came to the UK in 2023 and 2024 = about 1.8%) But blaming the boats and immigrants misses part of the bigger picture: Britain’s decline has been decades in the making, driven not only by newcomers but by systemic failures rooted in our own society.
Since the 1960s, Britain has been on a downward trajectory. It wasn’t Margaret Thatcher who kicked off the economic struggles—monetarism and cutbacks began under the Labour government in the late 1970s, which even required an IMF bailout.
Here is Denis Healey, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, openly admitting that wages were out of control and that public spending had to be cut, in order for the economy to improve, via more exports. Can you actually imagine Rachel Reeves saying this now? As our debt mounts up on a daily basis.
By 1979, the Tories capitalized on the slogan “Labour Isn’t Working” amid a global recession that deepened our woes. Fast forward to today, and the challenges persist: a budget deficit potentially ballooning to £100-200 billion, whispers of another IMF intervention, and an economy struggling to stay afloat.
https://www.idnfinancials.com/news/57125/britain-faces-threat-of-2025-fiscal-crisis-need-an-imf-bailout
The public sector tells a similar story. Despite claims of austerity since the end of COVID, governments across the UK—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—have added 200,000 to 250,000 public sector workers. How can we call this austerity when employment in this sector has surged? Meanwhile, unemployment hovers around 30% in some areas, with millions either unable or unwilling to work—a situation that’s simply unsustainable.
But it’s not just economics. There’s a cultural malaise, too. I saw it first-hand today in Glasgow’s affluent West End, a place that, like many British cities, feels like it’s been crumbling for decades. I went to a local gym to lift weights, only to find a group of teenagers loitering, disrupting the space with no regard for others.
I guarantee you that in countries like Japan, South Korea and CERTAINLY not in Cambodia, this wouldn’t happen—discipline and respect for shared spaces are non-negotiable there. Here, I had to move to another set of weights, knowing that intervening would likely get me in trouble. This small incident reflects a broader lack of discipline that’s plagued Britain since the 1960s, when we began to lose our sense of collective responsibility.
Immigrants aren’t the root of this problem, though some argue they exacerbate it. The real issue lies with the majority—80-85% of the population, particularly the middle and working classes—who’ve allowed this decline to fester. From economic mismanagement to a lack of civic pride, we’ve failed to keep up with the rest of the world.
The irony? The world seems to be catching up to our struggles, with similar issues emerging in France, Germany, and beyond.
So, what’s the solution? Some pin their hopes on Reform, but I’m sceptical it’ll change much. Our democratic system, while valuable, has struggled to address these deep-rooted issues. Stronger leadership—perhaps even a more authoritative approach, as seen in places like China—might be needed to restore order and purpose. But that’s a tough sell in a country that cherishes its alleged freedoms - where a misplaced social media post will get you jail time.
Britain isn’t doomed, but we’re at a crossroads. Blaming immigrants or any single group won’t fix our problems. We need to confront the real issues—economic instability, cultural drift, and a lack of discipline—with honesty and bold action.
What do you think?
Can we turn things around, or are we stuck in a race to the bottom?
