Dennis Skinner on Santa Claus, his fake 'Twitters' account, God, and UKIP vs the Greens

Dennis Skinner, notorious backbench Labour MP, speaks to us in Parliament on a wide range of topics. He explains his dislike of modern communication, commenting on his spoof 'Twitters' account and why he thinks emails are dangerous.
He briefly discusses his religious beliefs, and gives his verdict on Ed Miliband - as he himself supported David Miliband in the Labour leadership contest.
The 'Beast of Bolsover' also addresses whether UKIP is a threat to the main Parties, calling Nigel Farage 'a man in a pub', and predicting that the Party will end up as simply a few people sitting in the House of Lords.
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[@dan0s387]

Dennis Skinner: A man who doesn’t use emails just to keep postmen employed.

[@ayoungconservative1051]

If Labour were all like that i would have voted for them.

[@wendyburgess5805]

Sensible man, no flies as they say,

[@seanscanlon9067]

Just means one reason only and he clearly gave other reason too, but that's how politics works these days when those with an agenda only ever hear what they want to hear, so that they can put over a bad faith argument and ignore anything else that was said.

[@andybray9791]

He was popular with older generation

[@andclose1133]

No no just to keep postmen enjoyed like he said it's because A. You don't know who's accually reading it etc. B. If you need a signature you don't know if the person you sent it to accually does read it b4 replying back.

[@kevinrcook]

I have the honour of having Dennis as my MP. he as helped myself and my family several times. Like many of his generation and from a mining community, he speaks his mind

[@olivermousley9734]

Same here, a legend to our Constituency

[@philcosgrove6823]

I wish we had him as our one. Legend Skinner

[@gracequail7541]

@@olivermousley9734 not any more... 😢😭

[@therighthonourable3342]

I hope your family didn’t betray him on December 12th

[@BionicRasta]

They voted him out now after 49 years for a tory. Brexit & Corbyn saw him off, ironically both things that he supported.

[@LGranthamsHeir]

We're gonna miss all your Queen's Speech quips and your courage to say the darndest things to the powerful, Dennis!!

[@jeanniecraig6971]

Utterly honest and decent, and thoroughly lovable. A dying breed, sadly.

[@colmocallaghan6626]

The people of Bolsover were so lucky to be represented by a true honest politician, wish had a guy like that in Ireland, we had, back in the day in the late Dr Noel Browne who stood up to the Catholic Church, legendary politicians are rare, Dennis Skinner is a legendary politician.

[@motsigman]

Love his passion and understanding, in one word HONEST!!!

[@T800System]

"You're trying to make a seven course dinner out of a pan of boiling water but it isn't working" HAHA! Love Skinner.

[@Da1Dez]

Great interview with this underrated hero of Britain

[@ratherryan]

Good video. Dennis Skinner is one of my favourite MPs. If only Labour could be a bit more like him now... In my view, if this man looked a bit more closely at what the Greens have been saying recently, he'd soon realise the party promotes a lot more than its environmental policies. In fact, that's not even the main reason I'm a member. As for UKIP, their policy plan seems to be a lot more up in the air. By the way, there's no guarantee this comment is from who it purports to be from ;)

[@edwardnigma3775]

Ryan Peteranna A worker to represent workers; he's what MOST Labour MPs should look like! Indeed, but he's obviously an old-school unionist who probably still partly believes that the party still represents them. Greens are doing some great union work though.

[@TechHouseDeep]

Ryan Peteranna lol

[@michaelsmitten302]

Ryan Peteranna The problem is that, though I care as much as any human about the air that I breath, the greens are following a mistaken understanding of CO2 and its affect on the climate. I don't care if 98% or even 100% of climate scientists (sponsored by government approved tax payers money) say CO2 is affecting the climate, the fact is, it isn't! So the whole existence of a Green Party is suspect to the point of ridicule. Nobody in the cutting edge of aerospace and car manufacturing believes that fossil fuels do any harm or are going to run out. Its hysteria and that's the last thing we want in parliament - well its there anyway, but we don't want to add to it, thanks. Greens are a bunch of silly women, even the male members.

[@liamj2363]

+Michael Smitten "don't care if 98% or even 100% of climate scientists (sponsored by government approved tax payers money)" But let me guess, you're perfectly happy to believe the 3% of scientists who reject it and are funded by Exxon Mobil and the Koch brothers? Who do you think pays more? Multi billion dollar international industries? Or a government obsessed with austerity? Who has more of an incentive to lie to you? What hypothetically is worse, mistakenly putting resources in to something that may not come to pass, or doing nothing and facing massive disaster?

[@michaelsmitten302]

Simply you don't spend more money on the insurance policy than the apparent threat that exists. If I have a car worth £1000 I don't spend more than that insuring it against something that is very unlikely to happen. Its not a question of "belief" - that's religion based on myth and legend, which is what attitudes to carbon dioxide and climate change has become. Scientifically there is no connection between burning fossil fuels and global warming, since the latter happened many times before the Industrial revolution. Stop hating oil companies and look for the new source of income for crooks in government and so called alternative energy. You can waste your time and money on this, but be aware some of us don't agree and ask you to do more sober research and stop reacting emotionally. Thanks

[@ObiJoe808]

Dennis Skinner is awesome, what a dude!

[@richardsevern6156]

He is an honest man. He says what he means and couldn't a hoot about who he offends. Carry on working Dennis. I have never heard a bad word about him. The only ray of sunshine in the houses of parliament.

[@TomMayhew]

Everyone should follow Dennis. What a legend he is.

[@stevendurrant1724]

I dont support Labour, but I am astonished at some of the know all comments on this thread in relation to a man with such long experience and clear communication skills.

[@colmocallaghan6626]

The man is a legend, he can look back at 49 years in parliament and be proud, and I'm an Irish man, live in Ireland.

[@robinsanders5541]

I’m just 5 mins into the interview and am already slightly in love with the man. Im slightly right of center but he seems like a good old fashioned left wing northerner… if he comes across as a little eccentric that makes me like him all the more. Thank you for your service to your constituents and the country Dennis.

[@ufotalk9434]

I'm a right winger but I respect leftys like dennis tony benn they actually represented working class well

[@cityboy9301]

He used to employ his family members as staff...just as dodgy as Dave

[@danwlew]

@@cityboy9301 Employ them in jobs in banks or corporations? REAALLY MATE? I don't think so that's a stupid comment

[@cityboy9301]

@@danwlew I'm struggling to make sense of what you said...but as I said Skinner employed 7 members of his family to fill his envelopes make his tea drive him about all at the taxpayers expense .. hypocritical champagne socialist...as are all of the Labour party elite..

[@danwlew]

@@cityboy9301 Dennis Skinner has never put his famiy members in positions of wealth or power so you are being a tool sir. Comparing this to Cameron's clear and complete corruption isn't fair at all

[@cityboy9301]

@@danwlew I'm not comparing them I'm merely pointing out the hypocrisy....where do you draw the line....maybe Rebecca long balliey......who spent years calling out the Tories for wanting to sell off the NHS. .Do you know her working background?

[@deaconodon1681]

I love these videos by chat politics they've fascinating, please keep making them!

[@chrishartley3582]

What a legend. Would have been the best prime minister we ever had. Genuine, honest, principled. Everything the Tories aren"t.

[@lukerooney2024]

What a great man we need more MP's like him.

[@Bagpipe13]

you tried to get hold of a bloody big shark and you have failed, big up the skinner man.

[@thebishop1301]

Sometimes these old guys are better than the Focus group politicians that occupy the main stream media. He really belongs in a different age along with Tony Benn. On balance he is good. Because he actually has an opinion and doesn't change with the wind.

[@katyb6979]

Full of respect for Dennis, at least he has his principles and sticks to them. However, where I disagree is his views on not giving the Greens and UKIP a platform. Letting everyone hear every option is total democracy. However, he's entitled to his opinion and to give it - that's called FREE SPEECH!

[@alanbutterworthhueytheshoo5623]

Say it as it is Dennis!....No waffle, No bullshit, just a totally knowledgeable and honest MP. Some call the guy a communist, But ...rather a commie than a fascist.

[@sirvikalcrusader3668]

Their the point at which the political spectrum meets at the back and they seamlessly interchange. Sorry to burst your little bubble

[@JackoJ15]

Wanting certain things nationalised doesn't make you a communist. I do wonder where some of the commenter's on these videos were educated. Probably Eton seeing the bull shit they chat sometimes. ;)

[@sirvikalcrusader3668]

***** The only thing you understand is ostrich mentality.

[@davidclifford5124]

I don't always agree with Dennis Skinner, but he's such a decent man.

[@triciacol]

I could listen to this man all day long

[@ryanborder189]

I voted Tory and I think Dennis Skinner is a Great Man. Honesty, integrity and decency=Great in my book!

[@indexfinisher]

Wow this is the only interview I can find where he talks about him growing up. We need a full documentary of this British Hero.

[@zzhlavy]

Honestly, I am a strong right-winger, but what I respect is having strong opinions, keep them for a long time and fight for your opinions. He is a very respectable man, even though I don't agree with his opinions and I really wanted to see him in the House of Commons just because how he acts in the House of Commons. He is a really good Northern chap.

[@old.not.too.grumpy.]

My Grandfather was a Labour Councillor on Bolsover District Council. He was on the right of the party and disagreed with Skinner on many issues. However, he supported him as a member of Parliament for his honesty, integrity, and how hard Skinner worked for his constituency. It's ironic that Skinner lost his seat in the 2019 Brexit election when he'd always fought for Britian to leave the EU

[@briandelaney9710]

It was sad to hear of his loss. He always fought for his constituency. Bolsover is back with Labour but sadly not with Dennis as MP

[@michaelsmitten302]

The point about Ukip, for all the people who dismiss it, is that it remains a legitimate, topical, question. It exists and is having an impact. It is idiocy to say the bus about to hit you is unimportant. Shrug and dismiss anything, but it is there and is affecting the situation.

[@britishbulldog5585]

And now to be taken over by the Brexit party. I admire Dennis as he's a proper old school politician, he openly hates the EU and wants the best for Britain and it's people, he's wasted in the Labour camp these days under Commie Corbyn.

[@Thurmo82]

I bloody love Dennis Skinner.

[@rorymoore9269]

Dennis is just like my Grandad. Proper Northern Labour Working Stock

[@briandelaney9710]

God bless ‘em

[@thetomhfh]

These are really fantastic

[@chachacha.2789]

Dennis was a produce of "A Hard Working Family" and Cameron would never know what that means despite his mantra referring to "Hard Working Families" that include Bankers, Career Politicians, etc. while Dennis is identifying Miners, Builders, Firemen, Dockers ,and those that use their hands to EARN THEIR MONEY not the shoo in Tories that have NEVER HAD A PROPER JOB.

[@greypilgrim228]

+CHACHACHA. I agree, although you can include most of the labour party and lib dems in that paragraph. Most politicians today are career Politicians from public schools. What we need back are politicians who have had careers in business, the military and hard labour in the docks, mines, railways etc. not this modern feckless bunch. They're all the same today, no matter the party.

[@VaucluseVanguard]

Not a UKIP supporter but hate to correct what Farrage said about the NHS. What he said was that Brits could consider a compulsory private insurance scheme to pay for the NHS. A number of western European countries have national health services every bit as good as the UKs, free at point of delivery, but which are funded in part by a compulsory private insurance element for those in employment. Unemployed and retired are not required to have such insurance. The health services themselves are still (as in the UK) largely provided by the state. So suggesting a compulsory private health insurance payment is not necessarily privatisation and does not have to negate a service free at the point of delivery. As for the ridiculous comment about success in Europe, UKIP has had more success in EU elections, because, perversely for UKIP, the EU has directed a fair proportional representation system in its elections, while the UK suffers under the anti-democratic first past the post system. Although to be fair to Dennis, he is one of a small minority of UK MPs with a genuine majority in their constituency.

[@MrVikingB]

False, he ultimately wanted to achieve an 'American health system'. The mirror has the video.

[@VaucluseVanguard]

MrVikingB Where in this video clip does he say he wants a US style healthcare system? What he has said is that there may be some need for an insurance based system. As I said in my original post, there are several European countries which have health care systems every bit as good as the NHS and are nations which consistently score above the UK in areas such as health intervention outcomes, life expectancy, and social mobility..... think of just about all the Scandinavian countries, Austria, Switzerland. All have government run health services in which there is a compulsory element of health insurance paid for typically between the individual and their employer but free to those unemployed and the retired. A health insurance does not have to mean the US system. There are lots of better models.

[@Jim.and.Milson]

VaucluseVanguard as soon as you privatize anything you pay more for it. End of story

[@icu12cme]

Class. Good interview :)

[@douglaskay9959]

Wouldn't it be wonderful if all Members of Parliament were like Dennis.

[@ShermerHighSchool]

Thank you for this!

[@sofnaji]

Good questions from the interviewer

[@veryrudemonkey658]

Good interview :D

[@chrispascoe8116]

This great man is legend. May the Goddess bless you Dennis Skinner.

[@ExtremeKnexRides]

I am a big fan of Skinner for the simple reason that he is one of the few remaining 'Old' Labour politicians but I do not support his party I turned away from Labour to UKIP on the other hand his little outburst in parliament about UKIP did put off him, although he is a saint for the working people of this country But Labour is NOT!

[@mattyfrommacc1554]

a Legend and still going strong as ever in 2018!

[@darksunabove8595]

I love Dennis the only labour MP I trust

[@andybray9791]

He was real labour

[@bukomomazuri902]

This is the coolest guy in the House of Commons.

[@mistaben2k]

Parliament hasn't changed since it was bulit in the 17th Century,it's time to move on into the 21st century and preserve a tourist attraction.

[@christopherjones2884]

I like his labour values. Is always write letters to my local member of parliament. They have to physically open the letter and read it.

[@Greatnews4me2]

Love 💕 this mans no nonsense straight personality ❤️❤️♥️❤️💕❤️

[@chrish12345]

'you look a bit ugly, we did a test and 99% of people agreed, are you happy with that ?'

[@Gizmopoly]

"Greens? They are one trick ponies!" "You think." "Yes they are one trick ponies," "What is their one trick?" "Green". LOL Dennis Skinner is to OP for this interviewer.

[@dennisprocter1750]

Will someone explain when the buisness men and upper crust of this country call their cartels and and companys and amalgamations when they allgang up to fleece the WORKING CLASS who earned them their vast fortunes in the first place, then when the same workers form a UNION? organise themselves it is classed as a dirty wordTHATCHER cruicified the miners because they were making towards a better LIVNG STANDARD, IF there is ever a monument to her in Grantham I wonder what extra staff will be needed to stp the head being knocked of like it was in parliament.LONG LIVE DENNIS a champion for ALL the workers and underdogs of this country, BUT they soon give the working class a GUN to be GUNFODDER for to protect this so called FREE country, it is the Bigges Con of ALL

[@greypilgrim228]

+Dennis Procter did you know that during WW2, when this country was strapped for cash and resources, the unions constantly went on strike, to line their own pockets at the expense of all else making a sacrifice? They knew the government would have no choice but to agree, since the war depended on all pulling their weight, so the unions took full advantage. By Thatcher's time, the country was in a dire straight, with the unions at full power, ring fencing all their members cushy livings while most people suffered, power shortages etc.. I don't agree with Thatcher destroying the mining community, that was awful and a damn waste. We could sorely use the coal that industry would have brought to us now, all the jobs it created, all the communities that depended on it, instead of being at the mercy of foreign energy companies. But I do agree with her stance on the unions, they were far too powerful. The public sector does nothing but eat, eat, eat! Any attempt to cut spending (if you hadn't noticed, the country has no money) of the public sector is met with furious indignation and strikes, yet the private sector unions don't get huffy when cuts are made there. They know where to pick their battles, because they know a thing or two about economics.Ring fence or increase workers pay when there's no money, and you find the employer takes on less staff, or lets some people go. Say nobody gets fired, and everybody tends to get a lower pay check because the employer can't afford to pay you all at the previous amount as before. You can't have it both ways!

[@electoplater]

the miners cruicified themselves they destroyed ted heaths government and they thought they could do it with the iron lady that action caused and lead to the closure of many pits

[@steveef2275]

the only honest mp

[@MichaelKearsley]

People can be sacked or jailed for leaving a note or sending someone a letter, or standing up in public and saying something, or being recorded in private, depends on what they do or say in it. The Royal Mail was originally created so that agents of Charles II could open letters and find out plots.

[@soulboy6073]

A Time wen Some politician had honour and empathy

[@shanonfontaine1594]

We need more skinner,galloway

[@chrishomer1247]

There’s not many honest politicians around but he’s one of them.

[@electoplater]

the Falklands war destroyed the SDP and established Thatcher for the next term, they never recovered

[@thechosenonenumber]

Funny watching this after Jacob Rees-Mogg's interview. They are similar in many ways, being very principled and old-school politicians. Although I err more of the side of Rees-Mogg, I have enormous respect for both of them.

[@themelidenstar7040]

Two of the few to be authentic. Authentic I mean people will know where they are and that when they say something they will do it. If they were both leaders people can say where they are properly. Although I am the opposite of you I am on the side of Dennis Skinner. I used to be a Liberal but as soon as the referendum on the EU happened (I voted Leave because the Tories are the ones who put us in and the EU was getting corrupt not because of EU workers as I am friends with EU workers), the Liberal Democrats have now shown that they are the Illiberal Undemocrats. I made a promise that I would either be Liberal or Labour never Tory. When Jeremy Corbyn became leader I was happy because before him the only Authentic politician was sadly Nigel Farage.

[@hc2155]

I'm a Brexiteer and in practically all other ways I'd prefer Skinner to Rees-Mogg. Greedy Etonian aristocrat that is obsessed with maximising his dividends.

[@thechosenonenumber]

@@hc2155 I highly respect Ur comment scrolling.

[@hc2155]

@@thechosenonenumber You da real MVP. Keep up the China study (Mandarin is the way forward), very worthwhile pursuit!

[@andybray9791]

Don’t approve of jrm but the older said man was much more appealing

[@mortgagewizard40]

He is a true legend . Long live the beast.

[@jardon8636]

"ditch dodgy dave" , maybe we should start a campaign....

[@gwyneth7812]

I would like not to have to do e-mails too. Do you have a mobile phone Dennis? I don't and proud of that.

[@wendyburgess5805]

Gwyenth Yes tempted to get rid of mine

[@brianchambers1508]

Magnificent isn't he a true down to earth gentleman

[@matthewmoss1589]

Long live Dennis Skinner

[@lewisgrace3596]

Any more of these coming out?

[@Vidarr90]

I’m not even a socialist at all but I love Dennis

[@ACE999]

This is why Russel Brand makes a legitimate point, no matter his personality, about the futility of voting for a system that just stinks and is rotten to the core. Time for a new constitution! Money, corruption and bribery out of politics!

[@greypilgrim228]

+Boadacia Iceni except that that approach never works. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. You can amend things, work with the grain and improve an organisation like Westminster as best you can, but you can't destroy it, not without repercussions and corruption to follow. You make it worse by destroying it, not better. Look at the French revolution and English civil war for just two examples. Bribery, corruption, rampant terror and a lack of freedom of speech followed such endeavours, and the end result was that both situations resulted in them reinstating their monarchies, if not with minor alterations that gave them far less power and authority overall. Work with the grain to improve and change things, not against it, as trouble always follows.

[@tonyn9858]

if all politicians were so honest it would be so much easier to no who to vote for, i like dennis

[@john26razor]

How do you get all these MP's to talk to you? Remarkable!

[@helentaylor1222]

very interesting, it would be great if we could have another interview with Mr Skinner

[@britishbulldog9580]

bolsover's lucky to have this man hes a real peoples champion i've got weasel john mann as my mp

[@christinecopus3004]

I am conservative but this man has good points in politics

[@christopherherman6202]

It will be interesting to see how much casework his office gets through without him using the Email. Surely it lengthens all the proceedings.

[@Hud.Alexdavenston]

Mr Skinner is certainly brief upon his utter, sorts that are all gentleman speak, the fact that he say all wrong & right upon he view a person that is encouraging.

[@wumpustools7084]

Not using e-mail to "keep posties in work" is a ridiculous argument.

[@grumpleskiltpin3257]

This is a real politician who stands up and votes for what he believes, unlike some I could mention ;)

[@BossySwan]

What happened to this channel? You used to have some brilliant interviews.

[@Georgethenorthseatiger]

These would be imo good interviews - Douglas Murray, Russell Brand, Boris, David Starkey.

[@demoncard1180]

very funny

[@2332southside]

' He is an economic Santa Claus '. Wonderful quote.

[@pinburg]

Loved the way his voice broke a little at the end... Can,t imagine Blair Cameron and the rest of the shite having memories of their mothers making their clothes or even sewing badges on their school blazers ...

[@hermannkepfer6224]

I disagree with Mr. Skinner but I like and respect him much. He is worth listening too.

[@janetrimmer4201]

His prejudice then against UKIP makes him look Luddite and resistant to any change or criticism of the old parties. He seems to be saying you can't have new parties, they will fail.

[@robbryant52]

Hes honest that's all I can say about him

[@henryseeney4429]

Vile Vile Man. He cares about no one except him self, he has no respect or decently for anyone, not just people with opposite views but to normal people that have slightly offended him. He is a traitor and a hypocrite and deserves nothing more but to be kicked out of parliament. rant over

[@Harvester236]

+Henry Seeney Everything you just said describes Maggie Thatcher. Skinner is a true politician who represents the real people of Britain, whereas Thatcher represented only herself and the super rich. Tory idiot.

[@billygiles3276]

I’m right wing although don’t vote I consider all parties wholly owned subsidiaries of the Bank of England so don’t play the game but I love Dennis and he’s right Harold Wilson was good too, the crooked establishment ousted him with the help of mi5 because he believed in what today would be called libertarianism and the royals will never accept that.

[@stupot420032002]

I completely agree with this man 100%, not in a political view though !

[@adamgibson7181]

Keeping the postmen employed is one of the worst answers i've heard. I like Dennis, but boasting about anti-progress isnt a good thing

[@jameslfc86]

The black rod videos are hilarious were he takes the piss lol.

[@nowthenad3286]

Well, that was an uncomfortable interview, Mr. Interviewer. Not appropriate for Mr. Skinner.

[@Kirbykin88]

I feel like this interviewer is a big fan of UKIP 😂

[@Gracebeliever077]

16:40 Name one.

[@RichardFletcher]

#Skinner4MP

[@Whyowhy99]

"80 percent of the media is right wing" really Mr Skinner!?

[@samlawson6931]

CORRECT

[@andybray9791]

The 1% have a toxic influence over the 99

[@lukerooney2024]

Well Dennis has backed a winner now and twice!

[@archiebald4717]

He definitely underestimated UKIP.

[@autisticrebel1253]

I send letters, they feel more special than emails.

[@brianmckay7854]

Dennis is of the old school. He's a bit of a joke in the modern world of Politics. Most of his contemporaries are dead like the old socialist dogma. He represented a certain cause many years ago that is long forgotten. I never supported his strident aggressive stance although I'm sure he had a following and a worthwhile cause for some people.

[@TheJoecardiff]

well done, your doing good.

[@harrietsmith8158]

Respect for Dennis, he never drops his beliefs nor his principles for a moment which is admirable. However I didn't like his views on the Green Party and lovely Caroline Lucas, I thought that was somewhat mean and dismissive :(

[@urkobeltran3116]

+Harriet Smith he is right about the fact that caroline mentions green issues 7/10 times

[@brybish]

Don't know what position this old boy is playing but I feel he has integrity and honourable intent labour is not the best but at this time Tory party is doomed because of may.

[@richardkeane895]

Denis Skinner goes on such tangents, he appears to live in 1970.