'BREXIT IS A COLOSSAL MISTAKE' - SIR JOHN MAJOR

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‘𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘’ - 𝗦𝗜𝗥 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗝𝗢𝗥, 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗠
Former Conservatives Prime Minister, Sir John Major, did not mince his words at a Westminster Committee meeting today.
He said that leaving the European Union has been “a colossal mistake.”
We should be back in the #EU, he said, to keep Britain safe.
“There are three great power blocs in the world today,” he said. “The United Kingdom is not one of them.”
He spelt it out. “There’s America, there’s China, and there’s the European Union.”
Sir John continued, “Europe is going to face immense competition from both America and China.
“It may face military and security problems with China.
“Is Europe better able to represent its people with the United Kingdom inside the European Union, making it stronger, or outside making it weaker?”
The former Prime Minister’s answer was clear. “I think not just us, but the whole of Europe is stronger with Britain in it.
“And when I look at the interests of my children and grandchildren, I think their future is brighter if they are part of a really big bloc who could work with us if we were in difficulty.”
He added:
“In a challenging economic world, and potentially difficult political world, how much safer we are in a large bloc than alone, and how much more secure we would be, in times of difficulty, with friends we can hug closely rather than people who may be less willing to come to the aid in difficulties of a country that stands entirely alone.”
Sir John concluded:
“Those are matters that are important for this generation and future generations, and I don’t think they were given the weight they deserved in the referendum.”
▪ 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧 on Facebook: / 853330462409145
▪ © Report and video production by Jon Danzig
▪ 𝗝𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗶𝗴 is an independent campaigning journalist and film maker who specialises in writing about health, human rights, and Europe. He is also founder of the information campaign, Reasons2Rejoin

[@oenrn]

Remember when political leaders were intelligent and articulate (regardless of whether you agreed with them or not)?

[@throwback19841]

My view is that Major was a really good PM actually, but at the head of a divided party that had been in power too long and accrued too much unpopularity. He took the first among equals principle to heart and did not lead like a president. Sadly, having boring adults in power rarely plays well in the media, they like personalities. I struggle to find a single thing on public record said by John Major that I don't agree with. And I despise most of the Tories in spite (or perhaps because) of being raised as a Tory.

[@CarlosLopez58]

Some of them. But I guess politicians have never been intelligent and articulate, but they seemed to be like that to us when internet did not exist and we were young and ignorant.

[@richiecooke6480]

Listening to this man speak and then listening to the people in the positions he held today are poles apart. Politics and democracy in the UK is under huge threat.

[@jamespalmer980]

He wasn’t intelligent, he was a rancid vile man who cheated on his poor wife relentlessly.

[@richardwraithmell4614]

Remember when ordinary folk (the electorate) could think for themselves, regardless of which party they voted for. I wonder what the tv wants me to believe today?

[@peterhaslund]

Before Brexit quite a large number of Danes were unhappy with the state of the EU, and many desired to cut back or straight up renegotiate the treatises. UK always had a special relationship within the EU, and my country, Denmark did too. After the chaos of Brexit, the rest of the EU countries moved closer together. Nobody in Denmark ever speaks about leaving any more. Your example is too strong

[@brianbozo2447]

Because the EU is now dominated by Germany and Germany punishes nations that don't follow its dictates. Hungary, Poland Greece have all been punished and forced to submit to Germany's vision. And at present the EU foreign policy is seamless with NATO which in turn is dominated by the US.

[@peterhaslund]

@@brianbozo2447 You wear your name well, son

[@gaboltl]

@@peterhaslund he didn’t lie though.

[@fgallos]

Alexander Sergei Boris, is it you?

[@erikvermolen8371]

@@brianbozo2447 those are not german visions, those are agreements signed and sealed wihtin EU, you know things they agreed to. And in return you get a lot of money. Please inform yourself before you get yourself brainwashed.

[@starbase218]

I’m Dutch, living in London. My flatmate is pro-brexit and seriously considers the UK to be a “global power”. The USA is a global power, China is, and maybe Russia (if only by way of its nuclear arsenal). The UK is like France or Germany. A relatively big player in Europe, but a global power? No. Not even close.

[@adrianbuck8772]

But France and Germany have as the most important countrys in EU a way to get an impact they wouldnt have without the EU.

[@tas11117]

Britian lags behind France and Germany in many key metrics - healthcare outcomes, social mobility, secondary school literacy level, social inequality. It's so sad to see the country I grew up in going so arrogantly down this path of willful self destruction.

[@pandaDotDragon]

It's interesting you consider Russia as a global power because of its nuclear power... But not France not the UK 🤪 also you don't take into account the overseas territories and military basis - especially for France - that allows to be present all over the world. A global power it's not just a big country...

[@starbase218]

@@pandaDotDragon I said “maybe” Russia. And its nuclear arsenal is over 10 times larger than France and the UK.

[@winterbas8927]

UK is not a global power at all. A lot of my countrymen and women argue it is but that's wishful thinking. We had and still have a lot going for us but in nearly every way we are diminished by our exit from the EU. China is already powerful, India is not far behind and there are other larger nations in all continents who are snapping at our heels. And now we have the EU as competitors also. The cards are not stacked in our favour. Recovering from that is possible but it requires exceptionally good governance at home and diplomacy abroad. And even then it will take at least a generation.

[@deffo23]

Finally someone that makes sense 👏

[@eleycki]

Too late.

[@JuhanaSiren]

He made just as much sense in 2016 when he spoke about people being grossly misled. Unfortunately nobody listened.

[@valefur72]

What a surprise. After the Brexit nobody in Italy speaks to leave the EU...

[@xythiera7255]

Why woud they . Makes no real logicsl sens

[@valefur72]

@@xythiera7255 populist parties in Italy, founded their propaganda on the so called "Italexit". Crazy... People has no historical memory.

[@screamingchimp]

seems like most of the "___exit" movements have gone away. i wonder why.

[@bulatsagdullin]

@@screamingchimp UK was the only reason they wanted to exit EU. Obviously.

[@dand7763]

because the war in Ukraine changed all the negative perception about EU UKRAINE still exist today because the big help coming from EU otherwise without help ,Ukraine now was an extinct country ,occupied entirely by Russia

[@ericscott6455]

I’d kill to have a prime minister like this again. Fantastic speaker.

[@asifitmatters1]

He’s the knobhead who allowed Blair into power! His “speaking” opened the doors to everything that has happened since.

[@LMB222]

Then I suggest you kill Nigel Farage.

[@bartholomewlyons]

@@thetruth9210name one instead of him then. Cameron?

[@nudisco300]

Major was a disaster as a PM , and spineless too as he went missing with 'toothache' when Thatcher needed his support in her dying days. Majors 'big thing' was the ERM. We entered it and it exacerbated the recession we were already in until George Soros came along and played casino with the currency. This forced us out of the ERM at a considerable cost and from the moment we left the currency found it's correct level and the recovery began. Major trying to claim credit for the very strong economic growth from 1994 - 1997 is ridiculous as it was in SPITE of his flagship policy that we recovered . Norman Tebbit should get credit for the beginning of Britain's longest economic growth since Victorian times as it was he who was the most outspoken and vociferous critic of the ERM.

[@Mounhas]

Instead since 2016 the dregs have been tory PM’s and they’ll probably chose even worse.

[@marrous4845]

As a French, I feel very strongly in favour of the EU. It made countries closer and more united, and allowed European citizens to move freely. This is a huge and quite unique benefit. The UK has made a colossal mistake. I was living in the UK at the time: the immaturity of the arguments used during the Brexit debates was astounding. I keep witnessing now with desolation the endless queues of trucks on the Uk motorways leading to Dover. What a shame.

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@Mar Rous Of course you are in favour of the EU. It works very well for the French. It did not work so well for the UK though. Forget all the childish arguments you heard as it had no bearing on the majority of leavers. Most leavers had been unhappy for decades so were going to vote for leave no matter what was said in the run up. That is how disaffected the people were with the EU

[@cap7277]

Does the EU concentrate power in the hands of a small elite? Yes. Has it consistently ignored referenda results? Yes. Is the EU parliament capable of holding the Commission to account (as in the Pfizer procurement scandal) ? No. Is the ECB run by an ex convict ? Yes. Need we go on ? I hope not.

[@RobespierreThePoof]

​@@BikersDoItSittingDown it worked perfectly fine for the UK. Stop listening to Euroskeptics propaganda. It's recently been revealed that a great deal of it was actually produced and promoted by the Kremlin's disinformation wing. And still people like you refuse to accept that you were fooled with fa lalse promises, misunderstood, and deliberate deception. Why? You've been all-but promoting the Russian agenda to weaken the EU and isolate Britain by throwing it straight into a quagmire. Isn't it time you stopped? There's an old Cold War term in Russian for the role you're unwittingly playing. It translates roughly to "useful idiot"

[@domdenazareth5542]

@@BikersDoItSittingDown I'm French and not in favour of the EU. The EU is a ploy in order to charge Western Europe with all the burden of the former satellites states of the USSR so that it crumbles financially. It was explained in the book of the Russian dissident Anatolyi Golystine « New lies for old ». But according to Catholic prophecies gathered in the book of Francis Spirago, UK will explode and be dismantled. You should suffer more than many countries (not due to the Brexit but because the world elites want you to pay for it) and Italy should suffer around as much as you. Our prophecies announce for us that Paris will be burned and Marseilles engulfed by the sea (Our Lady of La Salette, 1846 recognized by the Catholic Church and not the « new Conciliar Church »...). Other cities in Europe should end up badly too. Most French want Frexit :)

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@@domdenazareth5542 France should have a vote but I am sure most will be terrified after watching Brexit. It is not so bad in the UK. It is a place where I still feel happy with my life. I have more concern about Ukraine than any hardship coming my way by living here. I have heard today that there may be a concert held to raise money for the Ukraine, like Live Aid.

[@leefoster8015]

I've never been a Tory But John is a decent principled man with morals that truly cares about the national interest.

[@jgmediting7770]

He cares about a faction of the capitalist elite that isn’t the faction that drove brexit within the tory party. Granted, he’s probably the best type of Tory, but his government still did the usual tory things. Underfunded the nhs massively etc. and his government would still have implemented the same kind of austerity policies Cameron’s tories did. Tories are for the capitalist class, not the working class. And major is no different. Only difference with what is happening now is the faction of tories running things are for the elite capitalist class rather than the whole of it. And that’s because capitalism is collapsing and the elite need to protect itself.

[@fact-teller007]

Did he have morals when he was shagging edwina curry ? Was he a decent man when he snidely master minded the downfall of Maggie thatcher. His a low life inbred bit of shit that chats shit. Like all remoaners.

[@andrewdavies8954]

you are having a larf

[@stephenbarden6121]

Principled? Whilst Prime Minister, John Major burbled about moral values during his "Back to Basics"campaign, it later transpired that he'd previously had an affair with another married Tory M.P., Edwina Currie. I don't call that very principled. As well as being the intellectual genius behind the privatisation of our railways system- that's worked out well, hasn't it- that well-worn yet tenacious phrase "Tory Sleaze" first made its appearance during the 7 years of his government. Some of us have longer memories, Lee; the guy was barely fit to run a whelk stall, let alone be Prime Minister.

[@leefoster8015]

@stephenbarden6121 You make some good points. But when I say morals I mean politically(who he had sex with is not important to me so long as it was legal). John was approached by Murdoch pre 97 election and offered his support in return for changing EU policy. John told him where to go and the rest is history. The snake Johnson on the other hand would've bitten his hand off. Perhaps the recent collection of horrors has a way of making 90's politicians look more favourable but I stand by my comment.

[@togsog4101]

In 1994 I was on vacation in Scotland and in a pub in Edinburgh I drunk beer with an Oxford student we discuss GB politics and he said John Major was the most intelligent prime minister GB will ever have in the next 40 years. In 1994 I didn't believe him, now I have to say this guy was right.

[@VCanisMajorisY]

Was were they studying, cow methane!

[@stevouk]

@@VCanisMajorisY And the more intelligent PM was...?

[@impopquiz]

@@stevouk for Jason, it’s Boris obviously. 😅😅😅

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@@impopquiz Boris it still more intelligent than this failure of a PM

[@Dave-hu5hr]

holiday*

[@valicourt]

Good point about sovereignty. It was such a big deal to leave the EU for so called sovereignty only to sign it away the next day on deals with Australia, Japan and in future the Pacific trading group. Do people really think you can join a trading group like that without any obligations or minimum standards? But as long as its not the EU it’s fine. Result of decades of finger pointing by the government to mask their own incompetence.

[@rupertloadman291]

Bloody right there, hit the nail right on the head!!! Christ on a bike!! The anti EU stance is so ridiculous it's pathetic, talk about throwing your toys out of the pram, like some petulant toddler!!

[@MrDaiseymay]

YOu have NO IDEA. what a trade deal is---DO YOU BLOCK 'EAD

[@susansantapola]

Your absolutely right. Let's not forget the EU are negotiating deals and growing all the time, they have been personally invited to join the Pacific trading group by Senator Eric Betz of New Zealand.

[@susansantapola]

@@MrDaiseymay and you sound very angry and bitter it's just sour grapes brexit is an umitigated disaster everyone now knows it but some will never admit it .

[@AWMJoeyjoejoe]

To be fair it was never the government that blamed the EU for everything wrong in the UK. It was the tabloid press and swivel eyed loons on the right like Nigel Farage that did that.

[@nigelwest3430]

I never thought I'd agree with John Major, but in this case I do 100%

[@biteme8535]

It's strange when a former Conservative party leader speaks sense

[@nathanio103]

He’s a very clever, very pragmatic man..... an engaging confident public speaker. PM before his time in my opinion!

[@barrypower6822]

​@@biteme8535 whatever you say about that generation of tories like John major , they were honourable statemen and women who put the country first . Not like the current bunch of tories

[@John-Smith-999]

​@@barrypower6822I'm not so sure. The current crop or Tories are a diabolical, worse than they were under Cameron, but you also have to remember that Major's government fell because of all the sleaze scandals

[@themiddleplace]

Last PM with integrity? I'm too young to remember what he actually did in office...

[@wallace-bv4rl]

I agreed with most or all of that and would raise an additional point. If we in the UK objected to ways the EU was being run we could at least try and change it. Now we still sit next to the EU and potentially suffer consequences but are no longer at the table for discussions. Even if the EU is wrong in many ways it exists

[@baward]

Major did gain a reputation as something of a ‘grey man’ of politics, but grey/boring/workmanlike is exactly what’s needed these days.

[@HelenaMikas]

Nothing boring about Major .I flew to Uk to an event at which he was speaking .What humour , and what a genuine person ..Compare him to the Tory Front bench and we may as well include Starmer ...

[@Kevin-vx8qe]

And 15 % interest rates? That is what he gave us along with recession & the Country being kicked out if the ERM along with huge losses from trying to prop up Sterling.

[@catharineholton49]

Detest they he betrayed us. He should keep his big mouth shut., and keep counting his rewards.

[@donniebrasco99]

You can never go wrong with the boring but consistent worker

[@halfbakedproductions7887]

I remember Major being really very dull, but a very comforting and safe pair of hands. He was really pretty uncontroversial and got things done - and sometimes that's all you could ever need or want.

[@faronyoung9609]

So nice to hear a well-spoken and reasonable point of view

[@ropfi]

I´m german and i´m far from being a fan of the conservatives no matter what country they come from, but Sir John Mayor speaks well reflected and profound about the implications of Brexit. What a refreshing contrast to such dubious characters as Farage and Johnson. Unbelievable that so many Brits followed these liars, when today all the sources of information that would have debunked these lies are openly available. I feel sorry for the British, for now they have to face the consequences.

[@stephenfarthing3819]

Not everyone agreed with Farage or the dimwit Johnson! 16.1 million said we'd be better off in remaining. We were lied to by the two nincompoops and others who sold a load of utter cogswallop and drivvel. The last time we tried to join Europe failed because it was done too quickly in the final stages. The pace of it. Slowed down until getting these who didn't see the reason for leaving as a threat to our wellbeing! We are now in some very serious trouble. We were unwise to leave, especially in the midst of a pandemic. To postpone our leaving wasn't in their vocabulary. It should have been.

[@josemaganinho7608]

the populism is growing in all europe.. they are all anti EU.. Le Pen, Orban, Meloni... but brexit was a good example for them.. now they all forget how anti european they are.. sometimes it seems they are more europeans the the europeans! like Meloni now.. wallking around with Ursula all the time hahhaha

[@mr2bmw]

Living in Italy, I used to buy many products online from the UK, not any more with Customs and Taxes.

[@ssrmy1782]

So?

[@greycorbie224]

I am german and I share Sir John's opinion. The EU is by far not perfect, there are many things to improve. But it's better to be in than out. I like the British and I miss them.

[@phantomiv8045]

Well spoken, I agree totally 👍❤

[@christianenke9988]

​@@phantomiv8045 so do I (being German too)

[@kevinshooter2537]

I’m so sorry we left. I hate brexit and the damage it is causing. I always got on very well with Germans so I miss them too!

[@Misterkneel]

We can all agree then that the EU is far from perfect, but how will it ever improve? The only people who can change it are those at the top and none of them wants to make it better or even try to change it. "Turkeys won't vote for Christmas" as the saying goes... Also, what is wrong with being politically independent with your own governance but maintaining a close friendship; co-operating and working together for mutual interests?

[@kevinshooter2537]

@@Misterkneel nothing wrong with anything you say, I guess I feel European as well as British. My main issue is Economic - is it worth a 4% hit on gdp, £100bn per year (£40bn reduction in tax take affecting public services). Even if these are over estimates we are all going to be poorer for the privilege.

[@twisterwiper]

The EU is far from perfect, but I think the EU has improved under Ursula von der Leyen. There is still a long way to go and the EU will never be perfect in the eyes of every European. But if the EU continuous to fight corruption inside and outside of the EU institutions, champion democratic ideals and respect the people, I think the EU could become the strongest beacon of dreams and freedom in the world.

[@steffenrosmus9177]

Well now it is up to you to fight corruption in the UK, which ks an real deep boggy swamp.

[@billbhein2949]

The EU has improved because it hasn't got the little Englanders blocking or opting out of key legislations that the money men didn't like..

[@guff9567]

Disgusting. Ursula is a known slave trader. Are you a black person hater?

[@johnmurphy9550]

You're having a laugh!! VdL was only installed because of the complete mess she made of the German military - they had to get rid of her, that was it. Now there's the corruption scandal that's reaching into every corner of the EU machine. 'Not perfect' has never been a bigger understatement, it was designed to benefit corporations and elites, not to benefit the people. That's a planned structural flaw, not accidental. You guys are either shills or you need to get your heads out of the lower end of your alimentary canals.

[@Reddy26]

What have you been smoking? Corruption is the EU norm among the ideological elites living in a bubble who don’t give a damn about the common citizenery while being a doormat to america. The EU institution is very democratic indeed 😂.

[@p.1019]

What a dignified man; he's worthy of the title of PM.

[@haroldthompson5299]

Dignified, have you forgotten the ( LADY ) he was very friendly with. Nothing dignified about that.

[@p.1019]

@@haroldthompson5299 One can admire a person's character, even if they don't agree with their politics.

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@@p.1019 have you paid attention on how this man signed the UK up to the EU. There was nothing dignified or democratic about this man's behaviour. I would describe him as toxic which is why he was voted out of number 10

[@samuelstevens248]

Completely agree. Slowest economy to grow since Covid and the war in Ukraine, its no coincidence. Simple maths says if you have to pay more for imports than we are able to sell because we don't own anything anymore than the country obviously has a loss. We lost millions of spending into the economy for letting people go back home across Europe. I work in the hospitality industry and have done for 20 years, and I've never known a period of difficulties on trying to get employment, which is frustrating because we can function to our full potential with not enough staff. Customers always moaning because we can't seat them due to not enough staff, and some think it's simple to make yourself busy so you can get staff. But that isn't the problem, getting staff is increasingly becoming a problem. Why should i run around like an idiot for 12 hours a day to fill up a restaurant with only 3 staff working when I need 8 for a full restaurant giving good service. Not to mention the abundance of missing food items on our deliveries now.

[@adsdft585]

The matters you talk about are world wide. The economies now are built on ideas of 1990s. If we still used a lot of 1960s ideas some of today's issues would not exist.

[@samuelstevens248]

@Ads Dft they are not worldwide. We are the slowest growing economy. All European countries have recovered much quickly from covid. And energy bills are much cheaper across Europe than the UK. Yes, they had a spike after the Ukraine war, but their bills went back down within months, and ours kept on increasing. The slight shortages of food have only effected the UK because we import over half our products and the EU said EU members are priority over the UK in receiving food products, the excuse of covid, the Ukraine war and weather events are lies to cover up the disaster that brexit has left us. Just look at the rapid downfall of the quality of our towns, the rise of violence, being turned away at restaurants because of lack of staff, waiting times in the NHS, the last two is because thousands of workers who were in those sectors were European and are no longer here, they are not spending into the economy which makes it weaker, violence increases due to everyone is financially worse off, its fact when more people are struggling financially violence increases, dirty filthy streets, no maintenence in towns is due to lack of money. It's all linked back to brexit. If you look at lists of violence, quality of housing, insulation, standards of our streets, how much we pay in bills and rents we stand amongst the worst in Europe, our economy growth is amongst the worst in Europe. This isn't all a coincidence

[@samuelstevens248]

@Ads Dft oh by the way, 1997-2007 was the best period for this country, for equality, drop in violence, NHS funding, financial equality, stamdard of living. That's also fact

[@daneelolivaw602]

@Samuel Stevens Just been reading about the German Economy falling into recession, Economists have said, "we think that the risk of yet another contraction in the first quarter, and thus a technical recession is high, and that the Gernan Economy is still miles away from staging a strong rebound". The German company BASF, is closing several sites in the country and is getting rid of 2,600 jobs, as operating in Germany was said to be too bureaucratic and costly. The chief executive has said "Europe's competitiveness was increasingly suffering from over- regulation, and slow and bureaucratic permitting processes." Oh dear, surely not in the wonderful EU. And as for the "abundance of missing food items" is not just a British thing is it?, one of the main reasons for shortages at the moment is because of problems (among others) with production of fresh food items in SPAIN, yep, that's right a country in the wonderful EU, oh dear.

[@robinbreeds9217]

@@adsdft585 yeah exactly Conservative Party never rolled back any Labour Party political system creations, all part of the same system since the 1950s.

[@AS-pp1rd]

John Major was one of the most articulate politicians I ever heard. His flawless fast flow of speech in Parliament always impressed me highly.

[@nigelalanwood6781]

Just because he spoke well doesn't mean he was telling the truth. He wanted to see brexit fail. His opinion of brexit is irrelevant.

[@ennediend2865]

@@nigelalanwood6781 YOUR truth , not more.

[@CMSTOCK01]

Ecoch Powell was also an articulate politician.

[@amg5656]

@@nigelalanwood6781 Brexit was going to be a failure no matter what. It was an incredibly dumb idea propelled by a lot of pride and zero common sense.

[@nigelalanwood6781]

@@amg5656 with your name I wouldn't have expected any other response.

[@jayantadas8259]

Indeed, Sir John Major is right about his opinion in every way in the current context, in which Britain is badly in

[@xo17499]

The good old time when the British prime ministers where clever, sensible and realistic

[@gunner678]

Isnt it incredible that we have come to this! Great and wise words by a real leader (and not one i liked, but respected and met).

[@fred_2021]

I can hardly imagine how I had such negative regard for P.M. Major. In today's world he's a beacon of intellectual sobriety and wisdom.

[@steffenrosmus9177]

Wise but too late, see you appointing for the EU again in 2124.

[@johnmurphy9550]

You mean never? At the very least, Since the 2nd world War, politicians changed to become actors for corporations, not for the people. They've been whittling away at the liberties given to the people under the Magna Carta. They lie about Parliament being 'Sovereign ', it's not. The people are Sovereign, parliament was created by the people to serve them, not to Rule like a bunch of tin-pot dictators. Parliament even lies that they have written Constitutional Laws, they're not legally authorised to do that, they lie. Magna Carta gave rights to the people, not the political class. The sooner people wake up the better or we'll all be locked down into our respective little towns by these crooks.

[@johnmurphy9550]

The reason Thatcher was removed was because she wavered about the 'Single Market'. Major was a shill for it. He knew the goals were to create a market that benefit the corporations and elites, at the expense of the people. And that's why he was installed. You need to research stuff more instead of fawning over failures...

[@derbdep]

The world is restructuring itself into supranational blocs. British Filipino, and moved to the Philippines after life at home in the UK was too difficult post Brexit. here, the move is towards greater cooperation within ASEAN, a bloc which is tied with the EU, US and sparingly with China, although a lot would indicate a conflict between the two in the near future. Brexit here was seen as somewhat of a suicidal move, noting the real world concerns larger blocs pose to countries (however well they did in the prior era of nation states). the concept of the individual nation state is fast eroding. it would suit all who want a chance of survival in the coming centuries to ally themselves with larger blocs and come to common ground. perhaps one day there will be no need for alliances and memberships and the entire world will align politically and socially under universal human rights. but until then, those countries that are a tad less tyrannical than others would be better in blocs that share common goals and interests. overall less hassle for travel, employment, trade and security.

[@Moshimulations]

@@thetruth9210 cornflakes costs £4 when I remember it was around half the price. Like what, Britain has a major crisis called cost of living crisis, essentially meaning regardless if you work or not. The nation will price you the hell out till you leave. Mark my words.

[@Moshimulations]

@@thetruth9210 Sooo, your recommendation is to buy something from a german shop. I was targeting English shops like tescos or sainsbury's

[@Moshimulations]

@@thetruth9210 Yes I go to Aldi a lot btw, but most shops copy the English major supermarkets.

[@rolibus2606]

Très belle analyse de SJM de la situation en porte à faux du Royaume Uni après le Brexit !! Je pense vraiment qu'on a besoin d'alliances de longue durée pour commencer à se faire confiance: en cela, le pas en avant du RU sans s'engager vraiment totalement dans l'Europe et sa monnaie et le grand pas en arrière du Brexit ont cassés les signes de confiance indispensables sur le long terme. Ce magnifique pays, qui a toujours su s'allier aux pouvoirs forts du moment dans l'histoire, va devoir ( et il saura trouver) réinventer de nouvelles alliances pour son futur !! L'Europe est loin d'être parfaite, et même nulle sur certains points, mais elle est forte de ses échanges libres sur son territoire avec une seule monnaie que tout le monde reconnait. Le RU pouvait espérer modifier et améliorer sûrement le système européen de l'intérieur et s'y faire une place de leader, et on y aurait tous gagné

[@nicky331]

Yes, we do all know that the EU is not that perfect, but we are family and we stand for each other, without the EU Greece would have collapsed, today Greece is moving forward and strong again.

[@Kivas_Fajo]

Yes, and YT is full of videos having Varoufakis in it blurting out crap about the EU. Wasn't he finance minister of Greece, when Greece had its downfall? Why does he think he can now give advice? What an idiot he is! Do the Greek people see him in the same way, or do you actually like him still?

[@Eyyoh755]

As we say in Germany: "Better with Britain! Never without it!"

[@stephenbrown9998]

Sorry about that

[@GadgetMart]

As you say in Germany “Vorsprung durch Technik" - some of us don’t want Germany to be the manufacturing plant of Europe. That should be the new motto for the UK

[@MrDaiseymay]

what ? under YOUR THUMB ?

[@SW-qr8qe]

Hello Marina, I didn’t know that was a thing. I like the sentiment, thanks for sharing.

[@georgiosyiannakou5537]

@@Volcano-Man A lie? You should have used your critical thinking before casting your vote!

[@ll647]

Great Britain, loved by European, its culture, its music, its language voted to leave or I’d rather say, preferred not to share a common path with Europe and European people. But what is worse, it is that people of Britain did not decide, they were manipulated, remember Cambridge analytics scandal? And they were betrayed by those politicians that just for they own egoistic goals decided to sustain the Brexit.

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@LL "But what is worse, it is that people of Britain did not decide, they were manipulated, remember Cambridge analytics scandal? And they were betrayed by those politicians that just for they own egoistic goals decided to sustain the Brexit." What a load of B-ll-x You have no idea. Leavers did not make their decision after hearing both sides of an argument from politicians. I am sure it warms your heart to believe the people of the UK are stupid, but the facts are - leavers have been waiting for this referendum for decades. Many of us phoned each other in excitement when Cameron announced there would be a vote! How does this fit in with your facts?

[@erwannthietart3602]

Indeed its quite sad, which is why as a proper frenchman i can say "hahahahahaha, mdr, regardez donc la perfide Albion meme entre eux ils se foutent dans la m*rde" But cmon its former rivalry its not like a bit of banter for old times sake is going to seriously harm relations ^^

[@mikemanship]

No we were not, it was a democratic vote. Like it or not and just like the Scots who want independence who aren't happy with the result the Remoaners can't stop moaning about it. I voted to remain by the way, but I respect the decision so I'm not a remoaner. We all need to grow a pair and start looking forwards and not constantly backwards.

[@ll647]

@@mikemanship It was a democratic manipulated vote. 51.89% voted to leave. Very low margin. It was a protest, there was and there are no effective plans. Maybe who voted for Brexit thought it was enough to solve all the problems. Is it? Furthermore on this low margin, what was the impact of social propaganda promoted by Cambridge Analytica? I think that in Great Britain the most part of people wanted the independence from EUROPE, but thinking reasonably, it is the worst scenario. Facts will tell the truth.

[@LMB222]

Great Britain is the name of the island the UK occupies. There's no such country (yet). And they never cared for the EU much. Let them go, good riddance, I say.

[@BertieColinSpencer]

The true and respectable political class, that we aren't sadly used to anymore

[@KrlKngMrtssn]

*Young Europeans:* "I grew up speaking 5 languages, have 3 passports, money exchange what's that, well educated thank u Erasmus and well traveled. Yes I'm cultured, able to provide for myself and well balanced, thank you." *Old Europeans:* "But me country was an empire, WAN IT BACK!" 😭

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@Karl König-Mehrtüssen and this disrespect of the UK is what we have suffered constantly while we were members. We have always known that Europeans have a low opinion like you have just demonstrated. It was shown in many unfair judgements the EU have made against the UK. I am sure I could make some stereotype jokes about your country too but I wont because I am not as rude as you.

[@KrlKngMrtssn]

@@BikersDoItSittingDown oh come on mate the UK was not the only European country with an empire. And my point is young vs old Europeans anyway. You'll find those old, bitter Europeans in any European country, not just yours. So calm down it's not just the UK

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@Dave Bieleveld I am pleased to hear we have some Europeans who like the UK, but just read the forum to see how others think (wanting our empire back, being racist etc)

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@@KrlKngMrtssn When did we become mates?

[@brianbozo2447]

But not very humble... Maybe even a little arrogant and smug

[@tayzonday]

Makes sense!

[@aleph8888]

The underlying assumption of three power blocs in the world is the problem; a multi polar world is just a fancy term for a balance of power system that failed so disastrously 100+ years ago. The Europeans never learn. The EU splits the West, weakens NATO, and the Ukraine war is a perfect example. Germany and France sucking up to Russia and China while making juvenile jokes about the USA. The Atlantic Alliance must be strengthened not weakened.

[@banyantree8618]

I can’t but wonder what this venue was that such wise words of gravity were spoken with so few people in attendance.

[@ShaneWi11iams]

And such a shame this type of level headed knowledge wasn't shared before the Brexit vote rather than lies and patriotism

[@alanvanallen7762]

I think it is a committee room for MPs in Westminster

[@brendanoneil3489]

Parliamentary select committee is where the real questions and answers happen, PMQ's and debates often just seem to beplaying to the cameras.

[@robvanscheijndel]

This is the best summary given of the current situation in the world, EU and UK. The EU is not perfect, neither is any other country or federation. Together we are stronger and I would kindly invite the UK to come back to the EU and quickly forget about this experiment.

[@dreamer6737]

We should be proud not only of our own country, but being part of Europe. No other nations on earth are more beautiful. And it feels good to be among close friends in times of war and uncertainty. 🇪🇺

[@rickster9065]

I'm just guessing but do you smoke weed? You seem to be all about the peace and love but choose to ignore the huge damage the EU did to the uk. Your head does seem like a nice place to live but sadly I live in Croydon ( the largest immigration centre in the uk) which is not as nice, thanks to the EU, you should come and visit and see for yourself

[@benicabanas9793]

@@Volcano-Man Britain kicked dictators? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 when was that?

[@benicabanas9793]

@@Volcano-Man And surely without anyone's help, you alone... A Coruña, Dunkirk, just to start 😏. The Luftwaffe walked over Britain and the british was squatting on the island, pooping in their pants 😁 "The Yankees sitting on the fence watching who was going to win" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 you live in a parallel reality...

[@six6617]

@@benicabanas9793 While saying Britain alone kicked Hitler is obviously wrong (they contributed by resisting, for sure, but let's not kid ourselves, the probability of Britain falling to Nazi Germany is a lot higher than the probability of the lone Britain beating NG after it took the whole of Europe...), the Americans really were sitting on the fence... the Nazi ideology had some supporters there (not everyone, of course) and they didn't want their boys to get killed like they had been in WW1 (can you blame them?). There were people who wanted to go and declare war on Germany, and there were people who wanted to keep the status quo. They helped a bit (lend-lease, attacking Axis ships in US waters...) but they weren't fully decided yet, and only Pearl Harbor changed that.

[@Leoviliti1]

Considering when the vote to leave was introduced .. many people were vastly optimistic about leaving due to all that was told to the UK to get us to vote for Brexit like *money saved by leaving will give the NHS 350 million per week* There will be a *free trade deal* *Ten countries recently joined the EU and now that Turkey is joining too , many more than we can handle will flock to the UK but leaving will stop that!* And.. *we won't have to leave the single market* These are just a few of the lies that caused many to become brexit voters. 🥺

[@liverbirdmighty9271]

I cant believe the last part. Those who believe that "yes, we leave but we still have the access to single market" are, frankly, dense. You have that access to club because you belong to the group, pay your dues, then get the benefits (agricultural/cultural/ educational funding, single market). If you ditch the group, you lose the privilege. You cant refuse to renew your club membership but insisting of still having the access to swimming pool, golf course, of the club. Regardless of those lies politicians use, voters should have used more of their logic.

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@Corrienne Wynne Strong If this was your reason to vote to leave then you should have voted to remain. My decision to vote to leave was made long before Cameron announced it. I still believe it was the right one. Maybe you were expecting sunny days when we finally left and so you will be disappointed. I was in full expectation that it is going to hurt to begin with. Just look at how we are entangled into the EU Most of our exports are done through Rotterdam so our merchant fleet has been reduced dramatically. We have been lazy as a nation in allowing the EU to make our trade deals for us. This is a blessing in disguise as we can now make deals that are best for the UK and not just buy from within the offerings of the EU. Then there are the bail outs we have paid to failing countries in the EU. They no longer have us as a back-up when it next happens. You may be disheartened at the moment but give it time and have faith in the people in your nation. We have faced a much bigger crisis than this and survived.

[@kumquatmagoo]

​@@BikersDoItSittingDown What sacrifices have you had to make to make this a reality Nicholas? Or is it all done by other poorer people that you've disregarded with your vote? Interested to hear what your plans for trade are given that you've voted to put up barriers to trade. Your last line sums you up, I think. We have faced much bigger crises than this but the key difference being that they weren't of our own design. I'd guess you're of an older generation, time has passed you by, and this is a last ditch attempt to make sense of a bewildering, scary, world. I find it difficult to read comments like yours, knowing that you don't have all the facts, and you're clinging on to this fantasy like you know something we don't. Boris and Farage coming to help save our fishing fleets yet? What about the £350m a week they promised? Last time I checked our waiting times were still pretty bad.

[@1guitarlover]

It is always a pleasure listening to this bright gentleman.

[@marvinbrando722]

Honestly, he is

[@_Anime_Shortz]

Honestly!

[@mabel2236]

Finally, a true portion!!!

[@philipberthiaume2314]

I feel regret for Scotland. The main pull to remain in 2014 was that it would not find itself outside of the EU if it voted itself out of the union. Not three years later, that promise was shattered. I believe that if the UK does not make efforts to rejoin the EU, Scotland is owed a second independence referendum within a reasonable time period.

[@UltimateMadWorld]

Sir John Major telling it like it is!! Now regardless on what our political preferences are or our political colours are from, there is a man who speaks with remarkable impeccable clarity, common sense, wisdom and foresight with extremely wise distinction on may add! Well said Sir John! 👍

[@frazer3191]

What a wise old man. I wish he was in charge now I really do. I voted to remain reluctantly and only after much thought, but post referendum I supported fully the will of my countrymen to leave. It’s a democracy after all. But having listened to sir John. I realise what a catastrophe Brexit really was.

[@henrysevern]

On the quiet he was one of the better Prime Ministers.

[@navydonald]

I agree with a lot of what he says but not the conclusion. Far better to have cooperating nation states than an unwieldy union of states run by France and Germany.

[@henrysevern]

@@navydonald the EU needs to sort out what it is a Federation of states with a central Government like the USA or a loose alliance of states like NATO.

[@navydonald]

@@henrysevern I think the commitment to "ever closer union" is the answer to that one. It is unlikely to work as they cannot even decide where to put their parliament building. If they gave it enough time for an European identity to develop, along with an European press it might have worked. As it is people will get fed up of France and Germany trying to rule the roost I think. I must admit being in the EU was not without its attractions.

[@henrysevern]

@@navydonald travel and trade were the main things going for it, however I’ll have to adjust. I haven’t been to Europe since the U.K. formally left the EU or COVID started. Most of my holidays have been staycations or to a country outside the EU in other continents. I have just put a deposit down on a holiday and it is not in European continent.

[@thomasbauer8100]

This, ladies and gentleman, is an honorable gentleman who is exactly the opposite of what we call a populist: A sharp minded politician who is able to analyze the real situation and do the maths.

[@honestguy7764]

Cant stop thinking on Jonny Lee Miller master role as Major in the Crown

[@ajscoutinho]

Very wise words. I always thought that the right referendum question wluld have been "do you want uk to be irrelevant ou very irrelevant?". The question put that way would have prevented Brexit... I also want to acknowledge what John Major said. EU would be far better with UK and that is not on defense issues. UK was essential to balance french and german perspectives and to bring a more market driven and pragmatical approach to policies. It is really a big loss for both sides

[@wiltzu81]

During time when Brexit was starting to happen, in Finland there were people with an idea of Fixit. But then Brexit happened and every one could see what disaster it was. I have not heard any pro-Fixit talks anymore. Also Putin helped on that matter on his behalf.

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

Because the EU has terrified you by making an example of the UK. The UK will pull through this though and even during this hardship, I still breath a sigh of relief. Each decade that passed by entangled us more in the EU web. I honestly believe that if it continued any longer, it would have been impossible to leave

[@bigvwfan]

I think Jim'll Fixit might have been possible years ago but since Savile died with all that scandal hanging around, no chance 🙄

[@adrianbuck8772]

​@@BikersDoItSittingDown What do you think is going to happen economically when an country decides to make trading with the countrys close to him geographically way more difficult and expensive? The export and import drop. If you add that the country has an aging Population with more people close to retirement than young people entering workforce its not smart to cut an easy way for young people from other countrys to fill jobs in the UK which would be otherwise not filled or filled with less qualified people.

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@@adrianbuck8772 a usual, all you care about is money

[@adrianbuck8772]

@@BikersDoItSittingDown So having an strong economy is bad? Sustaining/improving infrastructure is expensive. So is health care. Especially in an aging society. If you don't care about these topics its fine but i do.

[@OsvaldoRichelli]

It's too late

[@ssrmy1782]

Yes, and it's great.

[@lucabaroncelli]

In Italy only parliament can vote on international treaties and agreements . Some decisions cannot be left to ordinary people since they don't understand the consequences.

[@unggrabb]

Eloquent, factual. Hats off

[@Reiner.Zufall]

Really wise words. A good analysis. Very factual and well reasoned. I still rub my eyes when I see that the British let themselves be seduced by a few lousy demagogues and made such a stupid decision. I didn't always agree with Tony Blair either. But he is an upright European who has never lost sight of the interests of the British. The British have never been easy negotiating partners. They have always negotiated their way out of special deals. In the event of any kind of re-entry, their position will be significantly weakened. How can anyone be so stupid?

[@joe.odonovan]

Hey, don't lump all us Brits in together! The vote was very close in the end. Remember that almost half of us wanted to stay (likely more if the vote had been taken more seriously and the turnout had been higher). It's also worth noting that we are far from being alone as a country when it comes to our susceptibility to populism or the ability to make stupid decisions. See the support received by Donald Trump in the US, Marine le Pen in France, or Germany's near disastrous decision to base it's energy policy on a stable and friendly Russia. In short: how can anyone be so stupid? Well not all of us are! And the people that were convinced to vote leave are unfortunately not unique to the British Isles. :(

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

Why are you upset about it. You do not live in the UK. Surely it is better for you now the UK has left.

[@alea_iacta_est.rubicon]

Stupidity and ignorance ate two things the UK still does really well. Now they pay for it for generations.

[@jrgenlarsen3981]

Just one ONE Q, how much for your freedom?

[@Reiner.Zufall]

@@joe.odonovan "Hey, don't lump all us Brits in together!": I apologize, I have only just seen your post. Thank you for the factual answer! We are in complete agreement on that. And that's why I would like to respond briefly. It was not meant that I wanted to lump all Brits together. I was just very surprised and frankly disappointed by the decision. And that is primarily because the EU is the greatest peace project in Europe that there has ever been. Never in history, has there been such a long period of peace in Europe. And how important peace is, we see just once again. Any form of separation in history has always led to bloody wars. And it was always the common people who had to pay the price. I recognize that there are many Britons who would have liked to stay. If only they had turned out to vote in greater numbers. Please do not take it as an attack against the British as such. I can only hope that it will be a lesson to other countries, including Germany. I don't even like to think about America and this Mr. Trump. But in Germany, too, unfortunately, we have parties whose goal is to return to the former small-state system. And unfortunately there are also very many simple people here who are quickly influenced by these demagogues. Just like in the UK, they always have simple answers: it's always the others who are to blame. And everything would be better alone. All very frustrating. I wish all upright Europeans all possible happiness and above all peace!

[@RobespierreThePoof]

Finally someone speaking sense in Westminster

[@erandeser5830]

Good point, but British track record inside Europe was not particularly constructive. So many of us think that you may be better neighbors than flatmates. To me Brexit was the logical outcome of all the British exemptions.

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@ Eran Deser I could not agree with you more. The EU was not working for the UK like it did for other countries. I am pleased to see at least one European that agrees with Brexit

[@erandeser5830]

@@BikersDoItSittingDown it is a fair bet if there were a referendum to welcome Britain back, the vast majority of the EU electorate would answer "no way", so you can go on dreaming in peace. 😂. So let us be friends remembering wars fought together, but each with his own front door. 👍

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@@erandeser5830 Thanks. It gives me pleasure to see a European who is glad we have left. I am sure we will all get on much better now we do not have to follow any laws the EU makes, outside of trading with them.

[@highlight9014]

To think just a few decades ago we elected a (this) man capable of brushing his hair and speaking clearly with sense. Somewhere we got lost ……

[@antonandonov2652]

Highly educated and intelligent man. Well spoken Sir John.

[@p.1019]

And he didn't attend Oxbridge. A sign you can still be competent and capable without it.

[@beltrangarrote1982]

Spaniard here. I could not agree more with Mr. Major. It saddens and angers me equally. UK is an integral part of Europe historically and World challenges to come should have outweighed “internal” quarrels. It’s not gonna happen anytime soon but I hope for a rejoin in my life span.

[@jimclawley9117]

We are still part of Europe, just not the EU, massive difference and nobody in the U.K. thinks that. The U.K. doesn’t hate Europe it’s the politics of the EU that most couldn’t stand. We have become a dumping ground for immigration and France are largely at fault for that. They’ve always been Anti U.K. and haven’t worked with us at all.

[@catharineholton49]

NEVER!!! BRITAIN SHOULD NEVER BE A SLAVE TO EUROPE AGAIN.

[@HurBenny]

@@jimclawley9117 that is either misinformed or disingenuous, but coming from a Brit both are not mutually exclusive. France (and Belgium and for that matter) has become packed with migrants from former British colonies who do not speak French and do not want to be in France, they want to come to England. Deal with your own mess, they shall certainly be a fit replacement for the qualified and law abiding EU citizens that had to move away from Britain, don’t you think ?

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@@HurBenny The UK will welcome migrants from our commonwealth. It is this racist view that I disagreed with when we were members of the EU

[@HurBenny]

@@BikersDoItSittingDown do you mean that all these tenth of thousand of people denied entry in the UK and packed in migrant camps in costal countries across the Channel are a carefully created construct ?

[@perm9352]

So sorry that Britain left, both for Britain and the rest of EU...😢

[@dan438]

Oh man, I've never really appreciated fully, how well informed a Prime Minister can sound. It might be that through Johnson and Truss, a person like Mayor appears so much more outstanding.

[@TheBillaro]

lovely to hear an articulate man.

[@davidedwards1336]

Major, articulate? A totally failed politician more like.

[@AllansStation]

To bad, no one seems to be listening. We were totally fooled by the Brexiteers

[@davidedwards1336]

@@AllansStation oh yeah and your side of the argument didn't tell any lies did they?

[@paradimblog]

I think having problems is by itself not something to run away from. As many mention here, European union indeed has many problems. But I think they are good problems. That we have a good heading and I’ll always take problems that are part of evolving democracy to a higher level, or part of increasing inclusion, justice, and so on. Just something else to add here. I love listening to wise individuals. I believe each raises me a tiny bit as a person. If only such a speech would have those hundreds of millions of views that certain celebrities get with each foolish post they make. What a society this would make :)

[@asmodeus0454]

I am Australian and I believe that Britons ought to have listened to Sir John Major about leaving the European Union as he really knew and knows what he is talking about. He had vast experience working within the E.U. and his remarks here are rational and realistic. Nearly 7 years on since the U.K.'s referendum on leaving the E.U. and have the Brexiteer's proclaimed benefits for the U.K. of leaving the E.U. even been partly, let alone fully, realized yet?

[@davidjefferis4467]

More convincing if his PM years had been better.

[@ThrakathCZ]

When Britain was in EU i enjoyed spent some my money in UK online shops. When UK left us that was end for business, simply not worth to buy anything from Britain because of customs paperwork and additional costs. Now i usually order from Germany and don't even think about UK internet shops anymore. Bad for everyone maybe except Russia, personally i think that they had inflence in it.

[@rjl4875]

In an old interview, Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran lead singer) said (and I'm paraphrasing) you have a better chance of changing the system when your in the system than if your outside of the system. Britian should have listened to Simon.

[@amfohr]

They have no interest in changing the system they are not part of anymore.

[@wilfriedholscher7029]

Jep. You are correct Mr. Major. Boris just needed a Plattform for negetivity at the time.

[@catharineholton49]

Major couldn't be correct if his life depended upon it. he' s just desperate to excuse his way out of the Maastricht debacle

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@@catharineholton49 exactly what I think He got us into this mess and is trying to justify himself.

[@adamjames7066]

Well said.... I hope we have the chance to go back

[@EGC316]

The EU will welcome you back with open arms. Hold another referendum and you’re back in.

[@SupaSteven1985]

Well said. Nothing to add.

[@adsdft585]

May be the UK should start its own form of the EU.

[@Jozztime]

@@adsdft585Think we tried that with this whole independence thing. Can’t say it’s going well...

[@tobiwan001]

Decades ago Delors said that Europe had 2 kinds of countries: small countries and countries that have not realized that they are small countries. I never understood why most in Britain did not seem to see it the same way.

[@3PBC]

As always Sir John Major talks a huge amount of sense from the perspective of someone who has material grasp of the detail - unlike 99% of those who voted in the Brexit referendum (including me). The fact remains that the British people should never have been given the option to vote of this by David Cameron

[@ronaldderooij1774]

I hate referenda. I know that people (including me) don't have a clue about most subjects. And we chose a parliament on (hopefully) ideology to deal with the difficult subjects on behalf of us (hopefully) according to the ideology we voted for. And that is democracy. Democracy is not a guarantee that people will have a say, nor that they will be given the "right" outcome.

[@davidmarchand384]

Nothing else to add… everything is said… Like if my own country which is France is contemplating being outside of Europe, this would be such a silly mistake knowing where we stand now. I really hope that the people of UK will find a solution sooner rather than later on this issue as it’s becoming worrying. Like it or not but despite our usual and fair disagreement we all need UK to be part of the EU to bring some very pragmatic messages and help to change the institution from inside. After all we are all Europeans and we share the same history, fought the same wars as opponents or allies, share the same ocean and seas,…

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

The UK tried to change the system for many years but why should we remain in a union that is very unfair in its attitude towards us As usual, it is economics that remainers use to tell us that Brexit was a mistake. Those I know who voted to leave accepted that it would be painful for our economics for a while. If France really wanted to keep the UK in the EU, it would have shown it some respect when they were members. Your cry at the time is that we held you back, so please do enjoy your new found freedom. I shall remain content to deal with any hardship in our new existence and feel relieved, the EU shackles have been removed from our limbs.

[@MrThejoka]

@@BikersDoItSittingDown what ever do you mean, EU being unfair to UK?

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@@MrThejoka I have already stated many of the unfair decisions of the EU towards the UK here, but here is one personally to me which happened close by. An old lady goes into a butchers and asks for 8oz of meat. The butcher serves this lady her meat as she requested. He is reported by a visiting European in the queue and he is fined £1000 for serving the lady in imperial measurements instead of kilos. The old lady does not understand kilos! I have already mentioned Factortame Jamie Bulger Mustafa Kamel Mustafa, also known as Abu Hamza al-Masri (he had a right to a family but was involved in the killing of our people. To me he has no right to live let alone a right to family life) There are numerous injustices that the EU has inflicted on the UK. By the time Cameron announced the vote on Brexit, many leavers were jubilant. The decision to leave had been there a long time. This idea that the Brexit politicians pulled the wool over our eyes is bullshit.

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@@MrThejoka "what ever do you mean, EU being unfair to UK?" Do you think the EU is fair to give Poland a daily fine of what ever do you mean, EU being unfair to UK?" Do you think the EU is fair to fine Poland daily such a huge amount of money (€1,000,000) for ignoring the EU rulings that they disagree with? Another reason why we are better off away from the EU.

[@MrThejoka]

@@BikersDoItSittingDown my question was how you think EU has been unfair to UK, not Polen.

[@GormKjeldsen]

YES! And may I just say, as a pretty big Europhile myself, I was so sorry to see you guys go. The only good thing that came of it, was, contrary to what a lot of people thought was going to happen, it shut up the eurosceptics in all other countries. No one else are talking about leaving the EU any more. Democratically speaking, it probably wouldn't be fair to hold another election, but I do hope that Britain will find it's way back to the EU somehow. It would be better for both parties I think.

[@pelimies1818]

This sounds sound. Sound, compared Farage wearing Union Jack underwear, shouting "Take back conTROLL!" 500 times per TV appearence.

[@dt6822]

Oh but Nigel Fartage got pissy offended! Thank you Sir John!

[@JohnnyCatFitz]

" No man is an island." Common sense seems lacking is most commoners eh?

[@karlknebel5530]

Chapeau, John Major!

[@marcuswippi850]

Schön das von einem führenden Politiker zu hören! Hätte er das mal gegen Boris Johnson gesagt oder seine Märchen aus Brüssel aufgedeckt. Ja, GB ihr fehlt auch uns, auch wenn ihr manchmal etwas nervig ward. 👋

[@sqwale7]

Common sense sounds really impressive!

[@alexhoffam4170]

Coming from a man who led the UK down the toilet, Major also failed his test to drive a London bus.

[@kevanwillis4571]

You could be a replacement for Sean Lock, with that rapier like wit.🙄

[@alexhoffam4170]

@@kevanwillis4571 nothing funny about someone as incompetent as major.

[@erikvermolen8371]

Ah yes the UK going down the drain, that we all can agree upon. It's only really tragic when people like you did it to themselves without realising it.

[@DickBeddoe]

I agree 100%. Being pragmatic and realistic rather than wallowing in nationalistic bs is what it’s all about.

[@MrDaiseymay]

I was going to say, you can get treatment for that, but You are past that point.

[@jimthain8777]

As he obliquely states, Brexit did China, and Russia, a favor.

[@hubertxxx5564]

Putin will be thankful

[@alexanderg1935]

Also the Americans.

[@evgenyzorin941]

What a wise man!

[@alishaheedmuhamad]

Interesting point of view

[@edwardwillis8461]

While you were enjoying a curry John

[@andreascola677]

Finally!

[@thewalrus6833]

I've no time for this man. In 1973 ( under Prime Minister Ted Heath ), Britain joined the European Economic Community ( EEC ), which, as the name suggests was all about economic and trading arrangements. There was no referendum, but 2 years later the new Labour government had a referendum on whether we should stay in the EEC, the majority vote was to stay in. This all changed in 1992 when John Major signed us up to the Treaty On European Union, otherwise known as the Maastricht Treaty, which is when the European Community as we now know it, was created. He obviously didn't have much confidence in his arguments then because he refused to have a referendum.

[@janewilkin1984]

A tractor to the British people, and our economy

[@manuelfg2902]

Unfortunately, its too late Wise words anyway

[@jasonchess7698]

He knows about colossal mistakes, ie his government

[@pdterre5496]

I will repeat, as in some comments below; there is a sordino on demands to leave the EU in European counties after Brexit. The common perception is that Britain has suffered .

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@Pdterre I agree. The EU made damn sure that the UK suffered. I just wanted to leave the EU, but after the attitude of the EU during Brexit, I now wish to go to WTO rules and have no deals with the EU. I see them as nothing but toxic and we are best keeping our distance.

[@susansantapola]

@@BikersDoItSittingDown Clearly the current disastrous mess enough for you. What exactly are you referring to regarding " the way the EU treat us" they have had the patience of job dealing with the xenophobic racist UK

[@BikersDoItSittingDown]

@@susansantapola xenophobic racist UK exhibit A your honour. This opinion the EU has about the UK is why we are best keeping our distance from you. As for RACISM. Look at the diversity of our government then look at your own. What percentage of Indians were allowed into Europe. What about Australians? New Zealanders? Caribbeans? I prefer people from outside of the EU to come to the UK. It is not racist to want to protect your infrastructure from migrating Europeans. We have 278 people per kilometer in this country! We wish to control the numbers of people entering the UK. That is not racist. If anyone is racist out of the UK and the EU, it is the one who only wants Europeans in their state bloc

[@TheDaverobinson]

@@susansantapola oh dear. Not everyone who disagrees with you is racist.

[@elusivemite]

Suffered yes. And been punished. Made an example of to discourage others. Not helped by our incompetent ruling elite.

[@gregjones8412]

The problem is, how do you reason with people who simply do not listen to reason?

[@massafelipe8063]

I would like UK to rejoin EU of course but in this crisis regarding Ukraine, we all stood up practically like one. We are still allies and share the same values, that meant much more than EU membership. That said, it would truly be a joyful moment if Britain would rejoin.

[@Solbm27]

Let's have them rejoin together with Ukraine in a few years. That'd be one hell of an event! 🍺

[@GadgetMart]

The problem no one anticipated is how utterly incompetent our own leadership is. We are like a ship floating lost at sea. Brexit was a great opportunity, but it is totally wasted without someone to drive it.

[@erikvermolen8371]

ohboy, still believing that narrative don't you. One simple question for you: please explain, give one example that proves your statement, what should they have done differently then? You probably don't know...

[@GadgetMart]

@@erikvermolen8371 We need a strong leader that will actually lead. We need total political reform, our country is politically a one horse race. We need the end of career politicians and politicians that actually have the peoples interest at heart. We need to abandon net zero and take a more realistic approach to green power, encouraging local work, banning the sale of the heaviest polluting vehicles such as SUVs, we need energy security - building new power stations and green options. Training of the young, stopping of benefits and paying for gainful work and employment, bringing back true apprenticeships. Employment and manufacturing, pulling out of foreign wars and conflicts, stopping foreign aid, subsidies for farming to make it profitable. Anything else? I have just given you a better manifesto than the current political parties.

[@erikvermolen8371]

@@GadgetMartSo you are giving me your personal wishlist... And now try again, and give me examples of why your leaderships is incompetent and what they should have done differently, and how they would have done it. Because newsflash, UK is poorer outside EU, so how are you going to pay for all this?

[@GadgetMart]

@@erikvermolen8371 I am telling you how it should be done. Meanwhile Rishi Sunak is trying to get back into the EU through the back door. There was never any intention or commitment to make it work

[@erikvermolen8371]

@@GadgetMart no you are telling me the things that you want seeing done in your country. But you made a statement: your leadership is incompenent. And I aks you, give me an example of proof of your statement. So far you only try to change the subject.

[@nnknkable]

What is the value of a new political institution that provokes rejection? Time and time again at referendums. Perhaps the mistake came earlier Sir John.

[@sophieturner2676]

💯 We need to listen to Sir John Major... Ted Heath was the architect of the UK joining the EU for very good reason

[@emiltiwaz1022]

He's turning 80 this year. Lord Michael Heseltine, another former Thatcher government minister who spoke against Brexit recently in the Lords, is turning 90 this year. Wise old men now.

[@beniteztheconman]

​@@Volcano-Man brexit voters are so gullible. The thickest of the thick.

[@beniteztheconman]

@@Volcano-Man Most brexit voters are from the poorest and least educated backgrounds. They were conned into voting for the americanisation of Britain. Brexit was all about the deregulation of capitalism in which the poorest and most vulnerable in society suffer the most. Removal of workers' rights, product standards and regulation of dodgy money. Why do you think all the loud brexit voices were TRULY VILE and immoral characters like rees mogg, farage, johnson etc?

[@beniteztheconman]

@@Volcano-Man Brexit penalises the poor. Fact.

[@beniteztheconman]

@@Volcano-Man The only educated brexit voters were those who were exploiting the 99.99% of brexit voters who are all uneducated and/or thick.

[@beniteztheconman]

@@Volcano-Man Not relevant to the situation.

[@EpRoos]

The truth, the whole truth. Its exactly what it is. Its a sort kind of arrogance thinking you dont need anyone else. I worked for a UK company i heard so many stories from my colleague's. Younger generation wants to be part of the EU while older ppl are far more arrongant thinking. And my generation (50) is divided. I always had the same opinion as Major. And its still not changed. So be welcome in the EU and corporate to change the EU in a better way.

[@SE_88]

You are right about the generation gap point.

[@haytor4515]

It's all about square or straight bananas💕

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

I think one the reasons that Brexit happen is due to John Major, namely his tenure as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister, what with him implementing the European Exchange Rate Mechanism(the ERM) and we all know how that turned out. That I actually think really sparked the flame of Brexit now. I wonder if Major knows he is partially responsible?

[@berndhofmann752]

Mr. Major, you are totally right. As a German I regret the withdrawel of Britain

[@davidedwards1336]

You regret the withdrawal of British taxpayers money , more like.

[@papapabs175]

All we wanted was a little Reform, that’s all & you lot said NO.

[@davidedwards1336]

@@papapabs175 the eu doesn't do reform, it does ordering other countries about with no say whatsoever.

[@Danwade7979]

@@davidedwards1336 now spend that money on your inflation, NHS crisis, Shortage of Lorry drivers What I am sure is Europe did not need your money but UK needed EU more now een Russia whic is on sanctions are performing better than UK

[@user-ei3dq2dw6i]

@@davidedwards1336 you must be brexiteer totally clueless

[@johnwilson8309]

Thank you those were very wise words and now we are going to completely ignore them

[@mutatis-mutandis]

The British people are tired of experts.

[@waldorfmcvitty4854]

But not stupidity apparently.

[@andrewholt5965]

Well said!

[@pjnugent8198]

Speaking as an Irishman ' ive always liked and have great respect for Sir John Major. A good & honorable man.

[@davidedwards1336]

Oh I forgot, he was the other half of the two laughing clowns that surrendered to the ira terrorists, who was the other one? Oh yes Tony bliar.

[@dannywest7587]

YEAH,YEAH,YEAH,WE ALL KNOW JOHN MAJOR HAS A HOLIDAY HOME IN FRANCE AND BREXIT PLAYED HAVOC WITH HIS SOCIAL LIFE AT HIS LOCAL CAFE AT THE END OF HIS RUE .