The Reason Politics Has Become Tribal | John Major | Leading

Ahead of the conclusion of our two-part Leading interview series with John Major, we bring you an extended long-form video version of the podcast.

Join Rory and Alastair as they delve deeper into the remarkable journey of the Brixton-born Tory PM. In this episode, Major reflects on the profound responsibilities and challenges that come with holding the highest office in the land. From the tumultuous events of Black Wednesday to the complexities of the first Gulf War, he shares his first-hand experiences of pivotal moments in British political history.
#JohnMajor #TheRestisPolitics

[bikeman]

Admirable man! Why can the Conservatives not produce leaders like him any more?

[SLBtosantos]

"It was a political disaster." For me this is the defining sentence of this clip. Hearing a politician reflecting on his peformance as a former PM and, not only that, admitting his failures in such an earnest and blunt way. This is what an honest leader does and says, regardless of whether you agree or disagree with his views. Unfortunately, it seems this is a generation of political leaders which is fading away very quickly. Fantastic interview!

[corleth]

I've never been a Tory but John Major is the only Tory PM in my lifetime who wasn't appalling.
He was treated very badly and unfairly by the media during his premiership.

[johnsenders]

This interview actually shows that regardless of politics John Major was a good man.

[bobalopadus]

It amazes me how measured, articulate and composed he is. I'm a bit too young to remember his time in office, but the contrast between him and today's politicians is night and day.

[markhyde]

Another good man. Happy to say that as a Labour voter.
Why can we not have a group of people from across parties, come together, sit down and sort this country out

[dombaker]

Our most underrated Prime Minister and a thoroughly decent man.

[davidedickjr]

Brilliant interview. Major was always underrated as PM. He is strikingly sharp here these decades later.

[jomjunioropenmic]

Thank you for doing this series. So much richer than regular TV and great to hear politicians expand on their thoughts, memories and values.

[jamesclarkson]

Sir John Major was and still is a good man. A decent human being.

[NovaYung]

My family came to this country under john major, and till this day my family they have the utmost respect for him, and so do I. Thank you for allowing us to contribute to British Society Sir John Major

[oliverbooth]

Actually makes me want to cry when see how far the standards have dropped.

[Chucklea]

Wow, Sir John. what an intellect, what a geezer

[rnyellow]

This led me to buy his autobiography, having never had too much time for him before (image of being a fainter echo of the '80s, lack of original ideas, botches such as rail privatisation). It and the podcast were a revelation, I've completely re-evaluated the whole period. It all also makes me so sad - he's a proper politician in the sense of taking the job deadly seriously and also, I've now realised, rather my kind of politician in the sense that I agree with the broad thrust of his priorities. Oh for politicians of this calibre in the UK these days.

[Adipsia]

Great interview of a thoroughly decent and intelligent man who is unbelievably nearly 80. Get him back... we need some grey-wisdom to replace the egotistical drama. John Major left school with three GCE's at 16. No university degree... no Eton education... and yet he could still debate Boris or Rishi into the dust. He has the heart, humility, honesty and a willingness to serve that is so lacking these days.

[banditalley]

I remember his time in office, and the way it all started to fall apart. I was glad when Blair won in 1997, but at no point was there any hatred towards either side. Politics was always a dirty game at times, but the last few years has taken it to new depths. How nice it is to see people with such differing views had a reasoned conversation, and not be there to point blame or point scoring.

[ruinerblodsinn]

John Major is a national treasure and he reminds the UK how far they have fallen...

[NPA]

The days when we had grown up politicians in charge. I was never a fan of his policy’s but you never doubted he was honest and sincere in that he thought he was doing the right things for the right reasons.

[gordonfinne]

How nice to be reminded of how principled politicians used to be

[johnschlesinger]

So refreshing: such a quiet, civilized, thoughtful, honest man.