Ex UK PM John Major speaks on standards in democracy
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2022
- Former UK Prime Minister John Major gives a speech on trust and standards in democracy. It comes as a scandal about lockdown parties engulfs Boris Johnson's government.
i’m not a tory supporter and didn’t like major when he was in power and he wasn’t perfect as a man , but his speech is what is needed and our country and needs to heard deep in the conservative party .
As an outsider, I'm sorry to say that the UK is on the way out.
@@LeMerch as a country the more our lifestyles align with the USA the worse we become. Our politics have truly become a commodity going to the highest bidder.
@@LeMerch things will balance back in 10 to 20 years. Our younger generations see themselves as European. If only those under 50 voted in the referendum we would still be in the EU
@@soviet9366
And that is the ‘democracy’ you would recommend?
@@petercollins7848 if public opinion 10 or 20 years from now changes why should we not rejoin? The views of the baby boomers are not the same as the millennial or gen z and there was a clear age preference in the 2016 referendum.
Well spoken Sir, an elder in the Conservative party needed to speak up and it’s good you have done so, we’ll done!
Where have the honourable people in politics gone?
He was not a perfect PM, no human is perfect, but he has an important message about the erosion of democracy by populism.
Of course when you say 'democracy' you really mean 'getting your way'.
@@Iazzaboyce …not how he characterises it, no. But as a pro-dictatorship, pro-populists person I understand why you’d struggle with the concept.
@@mattwilliams9758 This has nothing to do with BJ having cheese and wine or birthday cake at work. It has everything to do, what's left of the 'pro-EU establishment' attempting to undermine the democratic will of the UK people. Major's entire political legacy has been shown to be a momentous waste of money and alternative opportunities. That's hard to take for someone who has always thought so highly of himself.
@@Iazzaboyce …it’s about Brexit you say? You’re making my point for me. A singular issue (in this case Brexit) being battered through the norms of governmental and judicial practices that provide the checks and balances of a healthy democracy, and hence take us nearer to authoritarian rule. By the way, check out the latest polling for public support of Brexit - the 52% has significantly reduced. Johnson’s administration deploy all the classic tropes from the authoritarian playbook. That doesn’t give you pause for thought? Getting Brexit Done - a task that will take decades - is that important to you? Freedom from Europe to you is worth moving from democratic rule to an authoritarian regime? Populism is a hell of a drug.
@@mattwilliams9758 Actually, in arguing that, this anti-Johnson smear campaign has resulted in increased support for the UK being in the EU; it is you that makes my point for me. I personally would not extrapolate from a poll asking a select group of people if they thought 'Brexit had been worth it' that, a re-join referendum would result in a 'Yes' outcome. I think it's likely that in 2016 there were 50% that had not decided which way to vote until near to polling day. Since Remain was portrayed as being the safe option and represented the status quo, and Leave was very much seen as being the high-risk gamble. It stands to reason that, of that 50% demographic (17m people) a much higher proportion would have opted for the safe option. Thus, many more Remain voters would now regret their choice than vice versa. It is an established and common-sense reality that people are less inclined to vote for radical change. My personal opinion is that a 're-join' referendum is unwinnable. The real evidence shows that less than 20% of the UK electorate positively participated in the 'federal Europe project'.
Sir John , deserves that SIR on the front of his name
True words spoken by a real politician.
An historic speech
Do you mean good or bad? I remember some of his bad ones, though they were remarkably forgettable.
Thank you Sir John. The Tory party used to pride itself on being the law and order party. That means the same law applying to everyone. That reputation is dying fast and being replaced by a Trumpian will to power.
I’m opposed to Tories always - was Major problematic? Not the point. The government are in crisis and there are huge splits in the ruling class. This is important and open for exploitation by those fighting for a better world. That’s the point. We need to stay focused!
Well said! We are turning into a Trumpion style country and dividing people with popularist politics. So sad to see one of the oldest democracies becoming so shallow.
Such an important message, regardless of your politics, but sadly it has been quickly dismissed by those who disagree with it.
Those types of people are in the same mold as those who came to a sticky end during the French Revolution. Their arrogance and contempt for the normal people will be their downfall.
I’m a member of the Labour Party. I’m now 67 years of age and I’ve been active in local politics and in campaigning for parliamentary elections since I was around 25 years old. I’ve during the course of my life seen this as important work but I’ve always regarded it as a contest to win the support of electors through policies that we all lay at their feet for them to choose from when they cast their votes.
It’s a time to rejoice when electors choose to vote for our policies and a time to reflect on our policy choices and our mistakes when the electors vote for the other side. That’s democracy. I’ve always happily accepted that as a system that makes the UK an example of what is a great democracy and an example for other nations who don’t have an equal democratic system to aspire to.
The Conservatives since after John Major’s day have though moved away from those high standards of democracy. Politicians used to stand for election because they possessed a sense of duty to the country and the electorate and wanted to implement policies in government that they felt would be good for the country and the electorate. The change in attitude of politicians was shrouded from the view of the electorate over several years but during the last few years, it’s become unmistakably clear that the current group of Conservative politicians contains a very large element of people who are only seeking and gaining election to our Parliament for personal gain.
I’ve never known the UK to be in the terrible state it is in now. Please don’t tell me the current crisis is because of covid or because of the energy crisis or because of the treacherous murderous behaviour of Russia invading the Ukraine. All of those things will have made a small impact on the UK but none of them either by themselves or jointly will have caused the current crisis that the UK is suffering.
Our problems are solely caused by this government citing for themselves and their cabal of supporters, both individuals and corporate, who bribe their way around the various politicians happy who happy to accede to their wishes because they are gaining or will gain significant personal rewards by doing so.
I have a record of being involved in politics for over 40 years and frankly, observing what this government is doing and how it is behaving has made me furious. I have never been more personally annoyed by what’s happening politically to the UK over the last couple of years under the premierships of Johnson, Truss and Sunak. The corruption and theft of public money in national government under their guidance has been carried out blatantly and the corrupt cronyism between all of them and their colleagues and their supporters is simply now endemic .
I was never a supporter of John Major, but he was and is a much better man than what we have now!
I was in my mid 20s when John Major was PM. I have never been a Tory voter (and the party was rotting from within several years before he came to power). But I do recall that most people (including me) had respect for him, as a person. And respecting the office of the Prime Minister, even if one hadn't voted for him, felt like an important obligation as a citizen of a democracy. It's an idea that seems quaint, nowadays.
Very very Nice speech
Well spoken Sir John. You are an example of British dignity and honesty that is very much appreciated in Europe. The adult voice of the UK as an EU member is missed deeply at the negociation table in Brussels where the British and the Dutch used to share the same positions against those of France and Germany most of the times. Greetings from the Netherlands 🇭🇺❤️🇬🇧
Best Prime Minister, no one made economic growth, strong military and Unionism all together like him 🇬🇧.
This speech will go down in history of one of the most important speeches in the UK
Thank you John Major. From me, a proud EU migrant.
John Major is many things… but he is a good man
I have got a lot of respect for him. I was to young when he was in power to give a honest take on his time in power but I remember liking him. This is the UK I know we always aimed to be even when we feel very short. But now we have no moral compass.
John Major signed the Maastricht Treaty without a mandate, The people wanted a referendum on it but he pushed it through parliament on the back of a no confidence vote, Brexit happened because of John Major.
@@propodkinsbro7224 totally agree, if John Major had been honest to the public, perhaps brexit wouldn't have happened.
This is one of the most concise, potent, and pungeant criticism of this Tory Government, Boris Johnson, and the Media
Powys Cymraeg
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall from the wall. Our decline began when the wall begins to fall.
This is what I really hate about the Johnson Junta, it's making me respect the Tories I hated for most of my life!
Came here via The Rest is Politics podcast. Worthwhile recommendation.
Interesting to see some of the cynical responses in the comments, that illustrates the problem that he is talking about. It is not all the fault of the politicians for if the general public don’t care or can’t distinguish between someone of decency speaking the truth or a populist telling lies then all of society is at fault. We have a responsibility too!
Does adultery count as a ‘standard’ for democratic life? I remember his affair with the ‘egg woman’!
Yes, people are human.
IM GOING RIGHT OFF Y FRONTS MAJOR
🤣
7 years of Major, 4 of which he was having an affair, then 17 years of Labour. He was probably one of the worst Tory prime minister along with May & Cameron.
The great bbc institution, 4 of his 1st 5 questions were from different bbc news people, waste of money!
VO I agree. I don't know why there is all the fuss about breaking lockdown rules. Boris is a toff and because of this the rules of the country don't apply to him. It's time to tell all those people who lost loved ones to stop moaning and support our great PM. Sure he's a liar and amoral, but he represents the best of Little England!
No, of course I don't mean it. The Blond Bullshitter has to go - and fortunately it's now just a matter of time.
Saying as it is .The best PM the UK ever had .
Apart from Clem Attlee, of course. Otherwise, I agree with you.
Best post ww2 Tory pm ever
An Honourable former Tory Leader, these are getting scarce these days.
I am Conservative party supporter, but I have never learn the other side of voice like John Major’s in-depth explanation. Like I never notice there is Sputnik News until they have been included in the sanction lists. Frankly, I don’t feel John was a good leader while he was in leadership but now I feel at least he is a good scholar and rational politician
These are very nice peas Norma...Oh very nice peas.......very nice peas Norma...
The Tories should bookmark this video for required viewing. It shows how far standards have slipped.
I remember John major telling us all to be so pious with his _"Back to Basics" campaign Neighbourlines, decency, traditional family_ whilst at the same time he himself & some of his cabinet weren't being so righteous.. _Extra-marital affairs, Police cautions, Tax fraud, Cash for questions etc etc_
Couldn't agree more! Hypocrisy from the 'grey man'.
When compared to Johnson. Everyone is an honest man.
Try not to picture Edwina Currie riding him like a kangaroo on a pogo-stick.
🤣
Let us not forget…War cost Margret Thatcher her leadership…let us not repeat the historical mistakes
What ! Which war was that??
The Falklands war won her a landslide victory.
Which war are you talking about ?
if mr major wants to put putin on trial, we will first need to try 1. blair, 2. those who let blair off, 3. those who knighted blair.
If only You could take the lead once more ...Thank you for taking action.
PS: We need a stronger immune system, correct? I would definitely not call it 'foolish' but worse (unfortunately).
Fine words but I fear he is pissing into the wind.
John Major
Some people i hope willvsoon shut up.
Some people i wish would wish would never stop speaking.
Such is their words of wisdom.
Major falls into the latter catagory for me.
I thought this was a DIY video - I waited an hour for someone to fix the dripping tap.
💕💚💚💚💚
The poition of PM is too reliant on a decent person in that post.
The man who privatised the railways.
What a success he was when he had the job, traffic cones and curry
Black Wednesday John Major.
the government is the problem non the solution, for the common citizen which struggles, the succesuful of the british government, it tries to do not much but exist just to avoid complete anarchy, as sir humprey appleby teach us all.
A bitter bitter man . He speaks much sense but with such a broad brush I question his motives. Politics has been besmirched for years , and including in his time as P M. ‘ Our democracy is a fragile thing ‘. ‘It matters for self respect ‘. It was and it mattered then too and the manner of the Maastricht vote in his time , was and still is deplored. By many parliamentarians. .
So why this and why, particularly now ?
Another word : HYPOCRITE. Scurrilous was the first.
How refreshing a decent Tory politician speaking the truth.
Pity he couldn't be truthful when in office.
This guy wouldn't know candour if it bit him on the rear end.
Where was candour when he took us into the Maastrict Treaty and what that would mean?
Quite right!
That Bloke reminds me of a WET FLANNEL
Wet flannels have more character - I would rather have a wet flannel as a friend, the conversation would be better!
That's disrespectful to wet flannels
JM fires me up about as much as a soggy dumpling.
Same as when he was in office!😄
“The polls are rubbish” - John Major before the Tories lost to Labours biggest land slide victory in a generation.
To be fair, the polls were against him in 1992, but he won a majority. That's probably the point he is making.
Major...most boring pm ever in UK history....zzzzz
He certainly sent me to sleep when he was in power! A more forgettable PM is difficult to imagine!
Really ?
Considering this is funded in whole or in part by the European Union. What is John Major's agender here? Where was democracy coming from the European Union who made Brexit a nightmare with their muppets making the process of leaving extremely difficult. I have never had any time for the European Union. from the word go since first when the UK became members. Please stay remained in the shadows and enjoy your lovely pension Mr grey suited pea counting man, how is Edwina doing?
To see a better Britain I suspect, the brexit referendum which was based on premises that are demonstrably untrue and were never going to be true does that not bring it into the realm of being allowed and legitimate to be questioned in present day?
Nice to be lectured by a former PM who had had an affair with another MP.
Shock horror
What has that got to do with anything? Johnson is a known philanderer and he left his ex wife who had been diagnosed with cancer, for the much younger model, Carrie Symonds. He's like a rabbit who has taken Viagra! Vile man.
Whats your point? He didn't shy away from addressing scandal. Point is, nothing he said here is wrong.
Not a tory voters BTW.
Are you a bot?
@@JanMorristheadminmaven I remember John major telling us all to be so pious with his _"Back to Basics" campaign Neighbourlines, decency, traditional family_ whilst at the same time he himself & some of his cabinet weren't being so righteous.. _Extra-marital affairs, Police cautions, Tax fraud, Cash for questions etc etc_
…he actually said “we are not perfect”, but yeah, write of the message about the erosion of democracy that he’s flagging, and focus on one aspect of his personal failings. Must be comforting to hide from the realities of life behind a nice, thick blanket of what-about-ism.
A tour de force by Sir John Major. A master class in good good government.
The best UK Prime Minister for 100 years. A man of dignity integrity class principle and intellect. A man with great compassion.