John O’Sullivan: Brexit’s Past and Future Paths

Recorded on September 26, 2018.

As the Brexit deadline of March 2019 draws near, John O’Sullivan discusses the status of Brexit today and the history of Britain’s decision to enter the European Union in 1973. He explains how Britain’s entry into the European Union first came about under Margaret Thatcher. He argues that British citizens had objections to joining the European Union back in 1973 and those objections never went away. Over the past forty-five years, the British have become increasingly more skeptical and frustrated with the European Union and resent the degree of its interference in the government’s decision making.

O’Sullivan and Robinson talk about the upcoming March 2019 deadline set by Theresa May for Brexit to officially occur. They talk about the state of the government as it stands, its preparedness for Brexit, and the opposition to Brexit by some parts of the government and the younger citizens.

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[Sixerniner]

Charles de Gaulle, he knew Britain should not have joined the EU, that they would not fit into it, and behold he may have been right.

[spex]

The media in 75 was for remain and anyone saying we must leave was shouted down.

[alon]

This is a brilliant discussion and I thank you so much for presenting it.

[larslarsen]

A couple of points:

This is two leavers agreening that leaving is good. They are both right wing and have been lucky enough to be educated at top British universities. Good for them.

Note that not a single time during more than two years of Brexit debate has a single UK politican argued that the EU is actually a good idea - other than being an economic advantage. In the UK the EU is simply regarded as a evil neccessity, or simply as plain evil. This means that the REAL argument in favour of the EU is completely ignored in the UK. The REAL argument is that modern democratic and free nations must stand togethter against countries like Russia and China and try to press these countries to introduce democratic reforms. Now, the only way to do that is to be powerful and that means to be wealthy and united. Secondly, both the UK and EU agreed to the good friday agreement. This was the voice of the people. Now the UK has decided to leave the EU and this basically means that the UK has broken the promise it made to the Irish people. STOP BLAMING the EU for this! It problem is created by the UK and the EU is doing all it can to help solve it!

Also, Fact check: As I have been informed the UK has been on the winning side of most votes inside the EU?

Third, the unsaid truth here is under what JO calls "misalaignment with Europe". This is another way of saying that the EU is less dependent on financial speculation and favour a more social democracy kind of society. It is the old right vs left political discussion.

JO (18:00) finally reveals that part of his argument is that the police is not as polite as they used to be, the streets look different and there are riots. This, I believe, is JO talking about social instability and immigration. It is really quite cheeky for a Torry to blame these issues on the EU. But lets see if these problems disappear after Brexit...

Finally, as a Dane watching this video, and following the Brexit debate, it is becoming more and more clear that the UK is very aligned with the US and have very little understanding and a little less respect for European nations than I previously believed.

Other than that, this is the most sensible "leaver" I have heard during the entire Brexit debate.

[chrisswanwick]

Interesting alternate history. I didn't recognise much of it, but it was a good yarn.

[Lopendvuurbengalen]

The UK is sovereign in the EU. The function of the EU is to be an  arbitrator between its member states.  The UK has problems with agreed rules between al the member states. This is strange because the UK made 95% of the rules :-)

[pax]

I heard no comments on the considerable problems that will take place in Ireland. And what about Scotland who will now have far more justification for Independence. And what about youth? 18-30 year olds were strongly in favor of remaining. O'Sullivan is talking to a right wing organization from a right wing point of view-a right proper Thatherite.

[mengelmoesNL]

12:00 ... good luck trying to set global standards as the UK in relation to Chinese and Indian markets. Might makes right. Days of the British empire are long gone.

[WolfieSatanSmith]

the EU is the UK we are preparing for what will be known as the Great Cake Eaters Cherry Feast....