• Login
  • Register
The Daily Sceptic
No Result
View All Result
  • Articles
  • About
  • Archive
    • ARCHIVE
    • NEWS ROUND-UPS
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletter
  • Premium
  • Donate
  • Log In
The Daily Sceptic
No Result
View All Result

When Did our Era of National Demoralisation Begin?

by Joanna Gray
1 March 2025 1:00 PM

Great Uncle Allen used to take my sister mousing in our local church. After checking and rebaiting the traps they would sit in the church porch, beneath the Saxon carved beasthead and eat Cadbury’s Creme Eggs; he kept one in each pocket of his threadbare tweed jacket. I happened upon this spot recently. Where once the porch walls were adorned only with whorls of mustard yellow lichen, there is now affixed a plasticated red, white and black NO SMOKING sign. It made me sad beyond measure. I was reminded there was a time before July 2007 when public indoor spaces were not besmirched with NO SMOKING signs, and that there are people alive today who have never lived in this world. Sure, everyone is grateful for smoke free pubs, but could this have been achieved without millions of bossy stickers? Were these signs ever necessary? Are they necessary now? Dare we dream we might ever get rid of them and the NO VAPING / DO NOT ASSAULT OUR STAFF / SMILE YOU ARE ON CCTV signs that make for the authoritarian graffiti of our times?

Just as Luther’s hammering of the 95 Theses to the church door marked a new epoch, perhaps our Era of National Demoralisation began in July 2007 when all of these NO SMOKING signs, millions of them, appeared everywhere. But as these things go, once I began trying to pin down a specific date when the National Demoralisation truly set in, I found other possible markers:

  • 1994 when the police stopped looking smart. Previously dressed in dark blue tunics with polished silver buttons, police officers’ uniforms changed to include capacious fluorescent yellow reflective jackets. I am unconvinced that the change is not the direct cause of increased crime.
  • October 16th 2000 when the BBC Nine O’clock News moved to 10 o’clock and the nation became unnecessarily tired and grumpy, in preparation perhaps for today’s rolling news and our concurrent fever pitch of exhausted fury.
  • 2019-2020 introduction of VAR. The menfolk tell me it marked the moment that humans irrevocably had to defer to the computer. There’s no point worrying about AI, the paradigm shift has already happened.
  • 2013 launch of 111. Seemingly another layer of bureaucracy to keep people away from healthcare, rather like a GP’s receptionist on a national scale telling distressed patients: “No we can’t help now, but a doctor will (may) call you in 17 hours.” There was a time within living memory (mine) when a doctor would come to your house – with antibiotics – to see a small girl with earache (me) very late on a stormy Saturday night.
  • 2010s+ all manner of self-service checkouts / check-in machines now fully fitted out with CCTV to remind us we are nothing more than potential criminals. It hasn’t always been like this, my friend’s mum used to work in M&S in the 1980s and M&S would pay for the staff to have their hair and nails done ‘to make the customer feel special’. Imagine such a wonderful thing happening today.
  • Introduction of ‘Passing the Peace’ in CofE churches. I remember the moment vividly in the early 1990s when a new vicar insisted that the small village congregation would ‘pass the peace’. The men cleared their throats and gruffly nodded to each other, the ladies attempted small waves across the pews. The Church of England and the country has never fully recovered.

However, we must not despair but instead remember the M4 bus lane: a stretch of prime motorway that lay empty save the occasional National Express coach (a grim foreshadowing of LTNs and ULEZ). Installed by John Prescott in 1999, it became a hated symbol of New Labour: an unnecessary expensive ideological failure. And yet the M4 bus lane is no longer. The motorway reverted to three full traffic lanes in 2010 – one of the only Labour foul-ups the Tories bothered to reverse. Let us remember this small triumph; things don’t have to be this way.

Joanna Gray is a writer and confidence mentor.

Tags: AuthoritarianismNanny statePoliceSmoking BanVARWoke Gobbledegook

Donate

We depend on your donations to keep this site going. Please give what you can.

Donate Today

Comment on this Article

You’ll need to set up an account to comment if you don’t already have one. We ask for a minimum donation of £5 if you'd like to make a comment or post in our Forums.

Sign Up
Previous Post

Mixing Up Names of Non-White Colleagues is Racist, Tribunal Rules

Next Post

Charles Dickens’s Oliver Musical Slapped With Trigger Warning for “Discriminatory Language”, “Poverty” and “Smoke”

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
Please log in to comment

To join in with the discussion please make a donation to The Daily Sceptic.

Profanity and abuse will be removed and may lead to a permanent ban.

31 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
NeilParkin
NeilParkin
2 years ago

“Grant Shapps faces Tory mutiny over hydrogen levy plans”

Not put off by the billions wasted on badly thought out plans to counter the thing that isn’t happening, we’re going to double down, again..?

67
0
NeilParkin
NeilParkin
2 years ago

“Insolent, unproductive and dominated by HR, the Civil Service thinks it rules Britain”

‘Release them back to the private sector’.? They wouldn’t last a morning in the private sector.

58
0
huxleypiggles
huxleypiggles
2 years ago
Reply to  NeilParkin

“They wouldn’t last a morning in the private sector.”

Absolutely correct. The senior civil servants I came across when I worked amongst them were thick, arrogant beyond belief, clueless job-wise and masters at ducking and diving. Of the scores I cam across only two would have stood a chance working in the private sector.

23
0
JayBee
JayBee
2 years ago
Reply to  NeilParkin

It and the people are not much different in the large corporation part of the private sector anymore.

8
0
Mogwai
Mogwai
2 years ago

Igor has made an interesting discovery using UK data regarding a significant increase in hospitalizations 6 months post Covid booster;

”The most important fact we see is that for people over 50, the most dangerous period after vaccination is between 6 and 9 months after their last dose. Their risk of hospitalization is several times higher than before six months or after nine months. The increase in risk far outweighs a small reduction in the first six months.
So, people who take a Covid booster first go through a somewhat reduced hospitalization risk for the first six months, then go through a dramatically heightened risk of hospitalization, then hospitalization rates “return to normal,” with the normal being very high. Does that look like the vaccine provides any benefit? Not to me!”

https://igorchudov.substack.com/p/ukhsa-boosters-greatly-increase-covid

35
0
Gefion
Gefion
2 years ago

Neil Oliver

Well said, that man. Much sense spoken.

43
0
huxleypiggles
huxleypiggles
2 years ago

Just a thought on ULEZ:

Are these prisons being built in preparation for Billy’s next release?

“Catastrophic Contagion” is apparently going to be the big one. How much more effective and targeted would it be if people were closely confined in 15 minute cities?

26
0
WyrdWoman
WyrdWoman
2 years ago
Reply to  huxleypiggles

Excellent point Hux, ref the LTNs especially, something I’ve been ruminating on too.

I also wondered about the power supply required by all that additional surveillance: the local town is just finishing off it’s 2nd ‘smart junction’ and about to start a 3rd, the multiple cameras of which are all cabled. As are the many additional street cameras installed during the lockdowns – all while we’re being told to freeze to death in the dark at home. How’s that supposed to meet Net Zero then?

20
0
huxleypiggles
huxleypiggles
2 years ago
Reply to  WyrdWoman

“I also wondered about the power supply required by all that additional surveillance”

This is where the £37 billion on Track and Trace went, something I have mentioned numerous times – smart junctions, smart cameras. T and T was never just about a bloody app.

7
0
Mogwai
Mogwai
2 years ago
Reply to  huxleypiggles

Hey don’t forget about ‘Outbreak 24’, the SARS-5 plandemic scheduled for next year.😃 They’re keeping us guessing obviously. Wow these pandemics really are like buses…🤭

17
0
huxleypiggles
huxleypiggles
2 years ago
Reply to  Mogwai

I’ve not heard of ‘Outbreak 24’ Mogs. Can you post a link?

3
0
Mogwai
Mogwai
2 years ago
Reply to  huxleypiggles

https://rumble.com/v28nqro-outbreak-24-simulazione-della-pandemia-2024-dove-il-virus-sars-cov-5-creer-.html

This simulation was in Italy in 2021. There’s probably plenty more that we’re not even aware of. Obsessive b’stards! 😮

3
0
huxleypiggles
huxleypiggles
2 years ago
Reply to  Mogwai

Many thanks Mogs.

2
0
WyrdWoman
WyrdWoman
2 years ago

“Fake trans applicants ‘could trick universities’” 

But but but aren’t straight A pupils – whatever their race, creed or colour – simply a result of white privilege? It’s only your pronouns that count these days…..

13
0
WyrdWoman
WyrdWoman
2 years ago
Reply to  WyrdWoman

…and this just in from down under:

https://rumble.com/v297guk-february-11-2023.html

1
0
huxleypiggles
huxleypiggles
2 years ago
Reply to  WyrdWoman

😀 😀 😀

1
0
Robert Liddell
Robert Liddell
2 years ago

I was appalled to learn that the Guardian loons had accused Neil Oliver of antisemitism. To accuse someone of antisematism because they talk about global elites and their out in the open conspiracies is disgusting.
Made me feel quite sick

35
0
huxleypiggles
huxleypiggles
2 years ago
Reply to  Robert Liddell

The Groan is a sickening travesty of a publication even by the sickening standards of the MSM.

4
0
JayBee
JayBee
2 years ago

Interesting take by Craig Murray on the Sy Hersh story. https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2023/02/sy-hersh-and-the-way-we-live-now/
“… But what most worries me about the entire story is the unanimous complicity of the mainstream media in ignoring the completely obvious.

The media line, parroted here relentlessly by the BBC and corporate media, was that the Russians had probably themselves blown up the pipeline on which they had expended such great resources and three decades of intense diplomatic activity, and which was to be the key to Russia’s single most valuable source of income for the next 40 years.

This was always quite literally incredible. You would have to be deranged to believe it.

It actually taught me not just that we truly are in the realm of totalitarianism and the Big Lie, but I learnt something very important about how the Big Lie works.

The secret is not that people genuinely believe an outrageous claim. The secret is that people do genuinely believe that they are in a battle of good against evil, and it is necessary to accept the narrative being promoted, in the interests of fighting evil.

Don’t question, just follow. If you do question, you are promoting evil.

I am sure that is how it works.

State and corporate stenographer journalists are actually intelligent individuals. If they thought about it, they would realise that the narrative that Russia blew up its own pipeline is obvious nonsense.

But they are convinced it is morally wrong to think about it…. ”

There is also the not to be overlooked issue of the No2Nato event on 25.2.in London having to go underground.
That development aloneis actually a confirmation of Peter Hitchens fear already having become reality.
He suggests attending it even if you disagree but are pro free speech.

18
0
huxleypiggles
huxleypiggles
2 years ago

https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/edible-insects-european-union#:~:text=In%20May%202021%2C%20the%20European,the%20house%20cricket%20in%20March

A load of crap about…crap.

1
0

NEWSLETTER

View today’s newsletter

To receive our latest news in the form of a daily email, enter your details here:

DONATE

PODCAST

The Sceptic EP.37: David Frost on Starmer’s EU Surrender, James Price on Broken Britain and David Shipley on Lucy Connolly’s Failed Appeal

by Richard Eldred
23 May 2025
6

LISTED ARTICLES

  • Most Read
  • Most Commented
  • Editor’s Picks

Doctor Who Star Ncuti Gatwa “Axed” and BBC Show to be “Put on Pause” Amid Falling Ratings and Woke Storylines

23 May 2025
by Will Jones

We Were Too Polite to Stop the Woke Takeover

23 May 2025
by Mary Gilleece

News Round-Up

24 May 2025
by Toby Young

Spanish Scientists “Were Experimenting with How Far They Could Push Renewable Energy” Before Countrywide Blackout

23 May 2025
by Will Jones

Trump Slaps 50% Tariffs on EU – as He Tells Starmer to Get Drilling for Oil

23 May 2025
by Will Jones

News Round-Up

27

We Were Too Polite to Stop the Woke Takeover

28

Trump Slaps 50% Tariffs on EU – as He Tells Starmer to Get Drilling for Oil

41

Starmer’s EU Reset Tethers the UK to the EU’s Green Dystopia

17

Trump in Nuclear Power Push Dubbed “Manhattan Project 2”

16

Follow the Silenced is the Untold Story of the Covid Vaccine Trial Victims

24 May 2025
by Antony Brush

Do Researchers’ Views on Immigration Affect the Results of Their Studies?

24 May 2025
by Noah Carl

Starmer’s EU Reset Tethers the UK to the EU’s Green Dystopia

24 May 2025
by Tilak Doshi

We Were Too Polite to Stop the Woke Takeover

23 May 2025
by Mary Gilleece

The Tweets Cited by the Judge to ‘Prove’ Lucy Connolly is “Racist” Do Nothing of the Sort

23 May 2025
by Laurie Wastell

POSTS BY DATE

March 2025
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Feb   Apr »

SOCIAL LINKS

Free Speech Union

NEWSLETTER

View today’s newsletter

To receive our latest news in the form of a daily email, enter your details here:

POSTS BY DATE

March 2025
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Feb   Apr »

DONATE

LISTED ARTICLES

  • Most Read
  • Most Commented
  • Editor’s Picks

Doctor Who Star Ncuti Gatwa “Axed” and BBC Show to be “Put on Pause” Amid Falling Ratings and Woke Storylines

23 May 2025
by Will Jones

We Were Too Polite to Stop the Woke Takeover

23 May 2025
by Mary Gilleece

News Round-Up

24 May 2025
by Toby Young

Spanish Scientists “Were Experimenting with How Far They Could Push Renewable Energy” Before Countrywide Blackout

23 May 2025
by Will Jones

Trump Slaps 50% Tariffs on EU – as He Tells Starmer to Get Drilling for Oil

23 May 2025
by Will Jones

News Round-Up

27

We Were Too Polite to Stop the Woke Takeover

28

Trump Slaps 50% Tariffs on EU – as He Tells Starmer to Get Drilling for Oil

41

Starmer’s EU Reset Tethers the UK to the EU’s Green Dystopia

17

Trump in Nuclear Power Push Dubbed “Manhattan Project 2”

16

Follow the Silenced is the Untold Story of the Covid Vaccine Trial Victims

24 May 2025
by Antony Brush

Do Researchers’ Views on Immigration Affect the Results of Their Studies?

24 May 2025
by Noah Carl

Starmer’s EU Reset Tethers the UK to the EU’s Green Dystopia

24 May 2025
by Tilak Doshi

We Were Too Polite to Stop the Woke Takeover

23 May 2025
by Mary Gilleece

The Tweets Cited by the Judge to ‘Prove’ Lucy Connolly is “Racist” Do Nothing of the Sort

23 May 2025
by Laurie Wastell

SOCIAL LINKS

Free Speech Union
  • Home
  • About us
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy

Facebook

  • X

Instagram

RSS

Subscribe to our newsletter

© Skeptics Ltd.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Articles
  • About
  • Archive
    • ARCHIVE
    • NEWS ROUND-UPS
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletter
  • Premium
  • Donate
  • Log In

© Skeptics Ltd.

wpDiscuz
You are going to send email to

Move Comment
Perfecty
Do you wish to receive notifications of new articles?
Notifications preferences