John Lydon: 'Russell Brand's revolution is idiotic'

Former Sex Pistol John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten, tells Polly Toynbee that comedian Russell Brand's call for people not to vote is ignorant, flippant and liable to 'make you all homeless'.
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Lydon also explains why he'd never vote Conservative, labels Ukip 'morons' and calls anarchy a 'mind game for the middle classes'
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#JohnLydon #JohnnyRotten #RussellBrand #SexPistols #Ukip

[@craigoshea8948]

"Without education you're going to be the stupid of the future " Love this man!

[@laurendaryani4893]

@@jbertucci Maybe your parents and you were/are able to afford a private education but not everyone can. Valuing educators in the public sector could help to correct for lower-quality applicants, for one thing

[@OffendEveryoneImmediately]

There’s a difference between education and government education.

[@farje1]

An intelligent man who was banned and demonised because he swore in public. He deserves a great deal of respect.

[@mister3566]

And because he told the BBC about saville

[@mitchconnerandsometimesjlotoo]

@@mister3566 worse. He spoke out about then the BBC banned him.

[@mckenzie125]

would he vote for a sir? dont think so

[@DanFernandesBenficaSaint]

So intelligent he was a smack head. 🤔

[@cameron1975williams]

"My advice, always, to any member of the working class; get smart, read as much as you can and find out who's using you." - The wisest thing you'll her today.

[@paulbirkbeck1790]

Sound advice for people of all ages

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

Ridiculous, why don't you just look around and see whats going on around you - beyond the written word - or does your moral compass need remagnetizing

[@dianheffernan3436]

Yeah, but as we've unfortunately have seen,that can get REAL ugly,not even sure where a lot of these words meanings or actions derive from,kinda do, but if you get pushed to shove,it can put you in the middle of toxic thgs,its the infamous dammed if u do dammed if you don't, and however this sounds,I really like people, just got tormented it made me ugly,

[@LeeGee]

@@JSTNtheWZRD He didn't suggest you read to learn morality. Read history, for a start. Learn how others got used up.

[@Crezelltree4261]

@@JSTNtheWZRD Do both.

[@iansmith4924]

This guy is always been spot on, especially with Jimmy Salville!!

[@emmaduncan2991]

This is the great thing about Lydon, if you ask him a question, he's going to answer it, he doesn't care how it sounds, or if you think the opposite, you ask his opinion, he will give it to you, I don't think the man would tell a lie, to save his life.

[@fdfsdfsvsfgsg4888]

+emma duncan yes. I suspect you may be the only person in this conversation smart enough to understand the man.

[@paddy7812]

+emma duncan Well said.

[@emmaduncan2991]

+Jaime Peters I also respect him as an artist, Here's a guy who has made great records and has made some pretty bad records, but he has never made the same record twice, which is something not a lot of artists can claim.

[@emmaduncan2991]

+Matt Rayner As far as I'm concerned, he helped give rock & roll, a much needed swift kick in it's fat complacent ass, and for that, I will be forever grateful.

[@matthewlacey5307]

+emma duncan I like John and am a big Pistols and PIL fan but he does not represent the view of the other band members and is a classic champagne socialist - irony. Living in LA, a property landord, etc etc He may still hate toffs and 'the system' but his filthy lucre tours etc show that he hasn't an alternative as an answer and capitalism has worked for him in the end. Other places on earth may be better (???? - please specify) but until then - long live the queen and Country Life butter and J Lydon etc

[@MisterCoolbyLaw]

Lydon has never lost his working class identity. He's a treasure as an artist and public intellectual, brutally honest and direct, and truly as fearless as ever.

[@folksurvival]

"public intellectual"

[@chilliecheesecake]

@@folksurvival Do you have an actual opinion to share with us? Cuz you're not fooling anybody with that vaguely patronizing BS

[@folksurvival]

@@chilliecheesecake Strong projection from you there

[@petegregory517]

Have no idea who he is.

[@Johnny-sj9sj]

@@petegregory517 Who are these Beatles?

[@heyoka9012]

Punk isn't dead: it just goes to bed at a more reasonable hour. 🤘🏻😜

[@spodergibbs5088]

He’s so cringe. He’s an old, frail sook. I could bash him.

[@theoriginaltoadnz]

lmao classic!

[@johnbrooks6217]

punk is dead it has been for forty years this bloke is fraud he shouldn't be given any time on air. he,s a c rate celeb trying his hardest to make a few bob in his old age I pitty him realy.bet he bores his few mates about the good ol days

[@OlviMasta77]

Haha true

[@suez20001]

He is famous for being out spoken. His fortune never came from Pistols or PiL. He got into real estate with Nora. That was his built income. He is a straight shooter, speaks his mind, can't fix stupid

[@ricardothorburn4089]

Get smart, read as much as you can, and find out who is using you....

[@felixfedre518]

We found it was Labour.

[@ricardothorburn4089]

@@felixfedre518 presumably you read that in the Sun. Bear in mind that the Tories run most of the media outlets in the UK, and have ruled for 29 years out of the last 40 (and will now rule for another 5), you might like to reconsider your comment.

[@bassinblue]

@@felixfedre518 My conclusion is, it's the banks.

[@joanofarc33]

Ricardo Thorburn So why doesn’t he realize Labour is using him?

[@ricardothorburn4089]

@@joanofarc33 I don't know if Labour is using him or not, and I suspect that you don't know either. But the point he is making is that this is how people should view people in power.

For all the people that don't understand his character, this is how you to an interview! She is not fake, she genuinely looks interested in the topic and what he has to say about it. He's been asked about very painful things all his life and that's really bad, glad to see someone that treats him like a human being.

[@pulse4503]

bright n well-spoken I must admit...

[@BrianMax]

"I take drugs and tell not-funny jokes" A perfect description of Russell Brand.

[@chadwickwright2833]

Uhm, he's been sober for many years.

[@ericmay7722]

@@chadwickwright2833 but he's still unfunny

[@chadwickwright2833]

No, just because you don't understand his humor doesn't make him unfunny.

[@chadwickwright2833]

I'm 40 years of age. He's actually extremely intelligent. John Lydon is a fool and a right-wing delusional idiot.

[@Muskateering]

@@chadwickwright2833 lol you div how the hell is he right wing? You didn't watch the video did you?

[@johnschober1819]

Love this guy! He doesn't pull any punches,ask him a question and you get a direct answer.

[@oldmate9969]

Exactly, and sadly people aren't like that anymore.

[@DJWESG1]

I always thought he was a Tory

[@bullyinspace]

The way it should be

[@Crezelltree4261]

@@DJWESG1 If he is,great.

[@Crezelltree4261]

@@oldmate9969 So true.

[@wardis8303]

John is an educated man, very articulate, a joy to listen to, he tells it how it is, he’s realistic and truthful

[@alanbell2156]

But he's also wrong

[@callum9693]

@@alanbell2156 About what? Not necessarily disagreeing with you but he did make multiple separate points in this video

[@Slasherhorror1980]

And now Russell Brand has retreated back to his mansion...So much for the revolution.

[@biteyourfriend]

Slasherhorror1980 TREWS is back

[@SleepySeel]

With his on and off gf, the grand-daughter of the fucking Rothschilds. There was never a revolution to begin with he was a sideshow.

[@Isleofskye]

lol

[@swizzleproxi4810]

It wouldn't matter who we vote for they do what is required from the main source....

[@bagiee1]

@Saurchie...then, go out and make your own darn vegetarian meal.

[@Maerahn]

Thank you, Mr John Lydon, for being the voice of reason we need. He seems like the sort of bloke you could have a great conversation with, regardless of whether you agree with everything he says or not. And he's right about voting. If you don't vote, you lose your right to complain about the government that does get in.

[@raphaelrau1728]

John Lyndon is on the button regarding society and the working class. He’s so well read and knowledgable regarding current affairs! In a far too oc world he shouldn’t be sidelined for being honest!

[@rinnypink]

"Punk" is just someone who lives their own life their way while speaking their own truth. They do so without owing anything to anyone! There's nothing nihilist about it. You can be "punk" at any age. I see it as akin to just "thinking for yourself." This guy is the perfect example. Mark my words: You will NEVER hear the phrase, "IF I'm being honest," coming from anyone who is actually doing so.

[@stevenmccutcheon2954]

People like John should be cherished. An honest man demonised by the media.

[@amazonionavalon8252]

Well said Steven, thank you for voicing the opinion of myself and countless other supporters of John ❤

[@benmartin8281]

I don't know about Russell Brands political opinions but why would I vote at all. The Tories are greedy self serving elitists and so are Labour. Kier Starmer is part of the trilateral commission, a very sinister organisation.

[@Jeremiah7-ox2nj]

I adore John. He always puts a smile on my face. Never tire of listening to his wisdom and wit.

[@mcgrudo]

"You're demanding to be ignored." - Johnny Rotten circa 2014

[@ballscrusher4]

sounds kinda like voting if you ask me

[@mistervertigo678]

Rather than patronised and lied to.

[@minbannister3625]

Benny Hill was right, "It doesn't matter who you vote for the government always get in"

[@jonathanhadley2555]

min bannister There will always be those behind the scenes pulling the strings

[@blaz3ofglory570]

Jonathan Hadley So, Russell Brand was right all along?

[@jonathanhadley2555]

Blaz3ofGlory Well do you really think that voting makes a difference!

[@blaz3ofglory570]

Jonathan Hadley No! I'm in agreement with Russell Brand!

[@jayblackstone6454]

choose your puppet, red or blue...

[@Myyoutubechannel0509]

UKIP aren't anti-immigration. They agree that immigration is a good thing but it should be limited, like it is in Australia. Anti-immigration is a BNP policy, a party of ill-educated racists, not a UKIP policy, a party that wants the 430 million people allowed to come and live in the UK quality controlled. If immigration is controlled and the people that come here contribute to the wellness of our country, it's a great thing. Who wants more criminals and more people on benefits?

[@MrSuperbombastik]

The world owes punk rock a huge debt in that it was able to provide an alternative way for Johnny to channel all of his intellect and disdain for our world; rather than becoming a political figure or actual criminal. He could easily be the villain in a Bond film.

[@777static777]

It's VERY telling that, within the first minute of this interview, several fallacious ad hominems are thrown about and gleefully accepted.

[@outdoormirrorist3404]

777static777 Someone has to call out Russell Brand. About time.

[@777static777]

Outdoor Mirrorist LOL people "call out" Russell Brand all the time - almost constantly - and usually (just like John Lydon, here) they devolve VERY quickly into logical fallacies (primarily ad hominem). The people who "call out" Brand highlight for everyone just how stupid and ignorant they are.

[@outdoormirrorist3404]

777static777 "The people who "call out" Brand highlight for everyone just how stupid and ignorant they are." I agree. This calling out needs to stop. But then, how would Brand wallow in his masturbatory fantasies about persecution? And more importantly, how would you?

[@trollfinger]

Outdoor Mirrorist Are you mad? Stupid and ignorant? He first says "don't vote", using his influence to make a point. Then endorses Labour...who lost. Then say "who am I? Don't listen to me." Speaks for itself, he hasn't a clue what he's talking about.

[@777static777]

Outdoor Mirrorist That comment makes absolutely no sense. Can you point to a single time where I've "wallowed in masturbatory fantasies about persecution," or are you just talking out of your ass? As for Brand's "masturbatory fantasies about persecution," have you never read a Murdoch newspaper before? (Hell, did you not watch this poor excuse for an interview?)

[@incredibleXMan]

He's so right. Working class people need to get wise and figure out who is ripping him off.

[@pattiern]

I like John Lydon. You get no bullshit from him. He's right about the vote. A lot of people sacrificed their lives for the privilege. Yes, I like John Lydon, even though he's an Arsenal fan.

[@speedking7224]

Only gooner I actually like

[@snilloc52]

He's not afraid to speak his truth and he is absolutely right in this regard. VOTE INFORMED!!

[@loknloll]

There is so much cringe worthy footage of Rotten banging on. But here, when he's in Lydon mode, and it's still early enough in the day that he's articulate, and clear headed, he shows what is really remarkable about his mind, and how intrinsically and passionately British he is. One thing Lydon is notorious for is having absolutely zero patience for an uninformed or ill prepared journalist. Kudos to this woman here, for garnering enough genuine respect from Lydon, to elicit a sincere, thoughtful and profound conversation from this national treasure.

[@fitzfitzchivalry4538]

I love the brooding intensity of your profile pic 😂 your so intellectual and deep!

[@bood22ataol]

@@fitzfitzchivalry4538 You're*

[@bryanleigh6497]

Rubbish Lydon is his usual interview self, trying to disguise his lack of any substantial knowledge about politics, and Toynbee is her usual preachy self, condescending to Lydon as he detests UKIP because that's what she wants from him. Lydon is great as a musician and character. But his political views are superficial and naïve.

[@Metolius9]

Bryan Leigh I’d have to agree. His heart is in the right place but he is a victim of his sensitivity and lacks a broad perspective that would allow him to escape the familiar comfort he finds in self inflicted misery. Growing up on council estates in the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s, I considered myself a punk, was a huge fan of the Pistols, the Clash and the Jam. I railed against ‘the system’ believing in the vague sinister existential threat that was the conventional wisdom of the ‘woe is me’ British working class, then I left school and home and was presented with the fact I had to get on with it. I emigrated to the US in 1986 and have had a modicum of success in the software industry. I’m retired at 56, financially secure to a large extent and have enjoyed the success that comes with hard work and personal responsibility . I often wonder how my life would have turned out if I’d stayed on the estates. After seeing a couple of interviews with the older John Lydon, I think I have my answer.

[@bryanleigh6497]

@@Metolius9 Except he didn't stay on the estates and probably has more money than you! But I get your point.👍

[@JackVox]

The wonderful thing about John Lydon is he cuts through the fog and helps you see just a bit more clearly.

[@AcidTechnoMan5000]

I AGREE. DON'T VOTE. DON'T CONTRIBUTE TO CORRUPTION. YOUR VOTE DOESN'T MATTER ANYHOW.

[@GiveBlood555]

he could be wrong , he could be right

[@gazzalenbrick6381]

Lol

[@spodergibbs5088]

Punk is dead. And this guy will be soon too.

[@krisjonesjones9514]

He could be black,He could be white.

[@phil2003ashleigh]

Give Gore but we don’t care

[@patrickrobinson317]

Facts are NOT subjective.

[@maestrovonhuge9397]

He never fails to answer things straight up and stand by it.

[@Yapostadodat]

4:26 , "Anarchists can't get anywhere without motorways.". Anarchists are inherently dependent on the systems they protest. Brilliance.

[@tristanreynolds5135]

🤦‍♀️

[@tristanreynolds5135]

Classic example of "only Anarchist for the aesthetic"

[@TheCondorjc]

Anarchists would do it themselves. Given that they aren’t going to sit around and wait for the system.

[@Jordan-ft1jb]

Sorry but that's nonsense. A revolution would not disband everything that came before it nor would it want to. It's more about the process of how these things are built and managed

[@No1Nova]

Anarchism simply seeks to break down power structures where possible.. extremist versions of these ideas paint an unrealistic image..

[@matthewmoggridge5221]

John Lydon is great, full stop. I could listen to his interviews all day. Great guy.

[@demerit5]

Least obnoxious interview I have seen with John Lydon.

[@nathan-ql5vh]

He comes across combative often but I think he knows he is hated for speaking a truth and it pisses him of

[@user-ei9ns9hq6b]

Lydon is just a contrarian. He doesn't stand for anything except being a troll.

[@AlmostReady504]

Absolutely the most civil conversation

[@mrugod]

Because they’re having an important conversation, instead of talking the sex pistols for the umpteenth time.

[@peterc1232]

People died for the right to vote , spot on John

[@dman030]

So many musicians from my youth, 70's through the 90's just sit there silent while the world burns, only worried about their house payments and getting themselves and their friends stoned (looking at you David Crosby). No wonder the younger generations have a warped view of the older generations, all the important ones sit silent. Johnny is the only one telling it like it is and like it was. That why this man gets my full respect. Thanks John!!

[@4june9140]

John Lydon comes over as a very intelligent man.

[@sunsaengnim6880]

He is a lovely honest geezer a lot more intelligent than the media have ever portrayed him to be.

[@roytetwart]

I'm really impressed! I've never heard Lyndon speak before this video. I like the man and I like the way he speaks.

[@peterburry2014]

This is 6 years old and sadly he's not the same man now at all since he moved to California and became a U.S. citizen.

[@soilentgreen7]

this didn't age well

[@CivicMikey]

he was wrong about UKIP .. or at least misunderstanding the influence they had on the Brexit outcome

[@davemiddleditch9741]

"Mostly Older, working class men?" 🤣🤣🤣 You're out of touch woman!

[@theeouroborobelisk5477]

Shhh... They're trying to put forth a narrative here Lovey...

[@LoboLocoX]

Russel Brand is the equivalent of a "Philosophies For Dummies" book.

[@chrisparker728]

+Mr. Clean sign me up to his dummy party.

[@throneofcrap]

+Mr. Clean Real fucking dummies, and it should be presumed they're reading it upside down because that would probably be suggested on the jacket.

[@MrUndersolo]

One caveat: "Philosophies for Dummies" would actually make sense after you took your time with it.

[@manygate10]

+Isureamned Have you said anything better in your response?

[@Landrew0]

"What you get eventually is a lifestyle of cardboard boxes down by the river."

[@uk1988tb303]

A national treasure, I'm not religious but God bless Jonny R, guy is a fucking legend.

[@888ssss]

lydon says nothing about vaccines in the same way he said nothing about saville for 24 years, despite knowing back in 1979

[@arthurwatts1680]

I've only seen one interview from the 80s where he said Saville was dodgy but I'm guessing he copped plenty at the time and it shut him up. Most of us can see Brand for what he is but - again - many tolerated him as an eccentric with money. I still don't understand why any parent would leave a kid with Saville - that guy was a born creeper.

[@The_Butler_Did_It]

I never thought that I'd look on Johnny Rotten as the voice of reason but Brand and his predominantly left wing followers electing not to vote and then wondering why the Tories keep getting in is plain potty.

[@tekamin]

The Butler Did It Russel brands whole point is voting makes no difference. The WHOLE system needs changed especially politics. Whats the point in trying to vote in the lesser of the evils when we should just sack the lot and start again, after all they are just public servants.

[@The_Butler_Did_It]

John Gray It is unrealistic to say "sack the lot and start again" and then not vote. The only way to start again is to vote for people who are not currently M.P.s. If there are no suitable candidates then start your own party, if it has enough popular appeal you will win, if it doesn't then it means you are wrong and the other parties are right or at least have more persuasive arguments. By all means stay home if you want, but don't fool yourself that you're not voting. In reality, there is no such thing as not voting: you either vote by voting, or you vote by staying home and, by doing so double the value of the vote cast by someone who could actually be bothered to turn up.”

[@tekamin]

The Butler Did It It's also unrealistic to vote a nicer MP into a rotten system, when its the system that's rotten not the MP's. And don't you fool yourself into thinking if i play along with this system then at least i can sit back and none of these world problems are mine, because i voted. Voting and not really caring about the system is worse than non voting. Change will only come from the people, the bottom up. Definitely not from the top down.

[@The_Butler_Did_It]

John GrayGray And how do you think "the people" are going to change the system? They certainly aren't going to change it by sitting at home and kidding themselves that by opting out that anything is going to change. I understand the sentiment and feelings that lead people to not bothering to vote but how does anyone expect to make a difference if they disengage from the system? The message this sends to the party in power, whichever it might be (or indeed all parties), is that you just don't care and that they have your tacit agreement to do anything they like: Destroy the NHS; we don't care. Drive people into poverty; we don't care. Make the already wealthy even more wealthy at the expense of the less well off; we don't care. Avoid paying your taxes; we don't care. Exploit your workforce to increase your profits; we don't care. Destroy the education system; we don't care. Make university unattainable unless you're rich; we don't care. Essentially, keep the population in its place, deny them any opportunity they can't afford, make sure the 99.9% don't get any ideas above their station! We don't care! It took very many years to win the right to vote, don't let all those campaigners who fought long and hard on our behalf down. Use your vote. Challenge your MP. Take an interest in your own future. Or let the NHS disappear, let your pension age get later and later. Let the family silver be sold off to the multinational corporations. If you really can't bring yourself to vote for any of the candidates, put "None of the above". Spoiled papers get counted and you are at least sending a message. For those who choose not to vote at all, the only message they send is "Do what you like, I don't care".

[@tekamin]

The Butler Did It all that you're saying is true. All our assets are being sold off, the people are being exploited. There is 80,000 homeless people and 800,000 empty homes. They do put fluoride and other stuff in our water to lower our IQ's and make us more 'manageable' . How will signing my name on a bit of paper stop a few rich families controlling the world? and even more, voting with 'none of the above', it makes no difference. We need direct change, real irreversible change. A revolution. No people wont make change sitting around not voting, or voting. the general population are soooooooooo ignorant and are too busy full of fear and hate for muslims, terrorists, ebola. Not to mention people are working so hard these day's they dont have time to properly educate them selves, and the shit food and water gives them short attention spans to learning is difficult. The odds are massively stacked against us, mainly because of the ignorance of the people and their fear of losing everything they have worked so hard for, stuff. Future generations are going to be born into debt they have nothing to do with and very little personal freedoms (scrapping human right act, new terror acts) Were totally fucked make, we have forgotten what it is to be a species, mainstream media is slowly dehumanizing people so murder is fine as long as they aren't white. White people who want a better life are called expats, and don't get shot at. White is right is full of shite. So you tell me mate, how will voting get fluoride out of my water? considering people are protesting for it now and trying to take people to court for it. All we can do is try to wake people up so when enough people are aware of the bigger picture, we can go down to parliament house and arrest all these criminals.

[@ssalemi]

When I need informed opinion, I ALWAYS turn first to remaining members of the Sex Pistols!

[@hablerz]

Steven Salemi And when they are not available , i poke a piece of Dog shit with a stick.

[@StannisHarlock]

Lydon's gotten down right charming over the years.

[@JeromekJerome1972]

Nice to see John Lydon be real and not retreat ino caricature. He is so razor sharp and spot on. Love him

[@henjem14]

he would make such a good pirate

[@GeorgeB321]

+Henry Johnson friggin in the riggin lol

[@dystopia47]

henry johnson he's so camp

[@nicholasherlock4865]

henry johnson Russell himself could have played Jack Sparrow really well

[@stigmuri7766]

Now that's an idea for a movie :D

[@ninjaclown2929]

They should make a sequel to Drop Dead Fred staring Johnny. (Never, ever should they attempt to remake the epic first movie)

[@madoxblack4574]

He speaks so much sense if he was a politician he’d be great

[@williamsteven429]

aah...there's the rub! Tell the truth..and broadcast it....then the "forces within" will bring your downfall.

[@fitzerelli1]

If voting meant anything they wouldnt allow the likes of us to do it..Mark Twain.

[@TexanWineAunt]

See how reasonable he is when the interviewer is smart and friendly?

[@pedropolanco9042]

Me: ...in order to appreciate it, learn n' get aware even better...!

[@madhatyr]

I wish john had a podcast I'd listen to him talk all day

[@SparkleNeely]

Also this was 8 years ago, Lydon is now a Trump fan. Never say never. People change when the world changes, period.

[@Graham.moore.1]

He's a millionaire who lives in malibu, he supports trump for the tax breaks

[@romulusremus7537]

What I love about him is he doesn't just automatically go with the herd. Whether I agree with him or not I like that he makes up his own mind.

[@pault8470]

Who was it who said "If voting made any difference,they wouldn't let us do it " Think about it

[@jarrodlee1506]

John?

[@jawz2005]

what a wonderful quote

[@timlumley8828]

Mao Zedong

[@paulbrightwell3621]

He was right about Saville and he is right about Brand

[@heiltd1286]

John Lydon is a very clever and articulate man.

[@briancohenthepfjmassive.4769]

He's also a Trump supporter.

[@crissybrown705]

this guy is a fool, he is not touch with modern day living, i imagine he is still living off of his royalties, doesnt have a clue about how WE the REAL people of the uk have to live, we cant save a penny of our money, we are working to live, house prices are sky rocketing all over the uk while there are thousands of houses that lay empty! rediculous, national treasure? if hes that much of a treasure someone should put him in an attic where his narrow minded opinion cant be heard!

[@david8157]

obviously you either didnt listen to what he actually said; or you could not hear it on account of whatever ideology is in your head. He speaks very clearly on behalf of working people who are being screwed by the UK ruling class and their political puppets.

[@JoelWende]

And how is Russell Brand any different? Brand has more money than Lydon ever had. He probably earns more in bank interest that Lydon earns in royalties these days. Brand's "Revolution" will do nothing but widen the wealth gap. You think he is going to give up his personal bank account and swish apartment in Shoreditch? You're dreaming. There needs to be change, yes, but you won't get it from Brand, and you certainly won't get it by not voting. All not voting does is ensure that right wingers get power, because they are the ones that do vote. Want change? Form a political party, and vote for it.

[@ReaTank]

Joel Wende He actually is different. He isn't against voting or democracy, he agrees with it if we're actually given a choice, which we are not. Voting doesn't make one shit of a difference, the status quo works for the guys in parliament they aren't going to change any time soon. They're only keen on protecting their own interests. We know that only the big dogs ever have a chance of winning the way the system is set up, why bother to vote if you're choosing between a shit and a turd? he constantly states that yes he has chased fame and got rich but it isn't what he wants anymore. He's incredibly charitable, and isn't even taking ANY profits from his new book. An extract from a recent interview: He received a six-figure advance for Revolution, but insists he won’t be keeping it. “I’m going to get a property in east London and set up a coffee and juice bar to be run by people in recovery from addiction.” So he’s going to give away his money? “No. I’m no longer interested in making money. And the money I get, I’m going to use for good. We need systemic change, not charity. I won’t be in charge. They’ll vote for how they want to run it.”

[@slantyrock]

Johnny makes money from music he had a part in creating, Russel brand is a tosser who goes out with Jemima Khan/Goldsmith, heiress to a billionaire banker.

[@ibuprofen303]

crissy brown - Define what you mean by 'we the real people of the UK'. Lydon looks quite real to me. Brand is real. Cameron is real. The tramp living down by the river is real. They are all living and breathing, made out of carbon atoms and members of the UK, therefore they are 'real people of the UK'. 'We the real people of the UK' - what a meaningless statement.

[@harryturner8701]

Yeah but if I don’t believe in anything that any of the parties are claiming their standing for, who am I supposed to vote for if the monster raving loony party isn’t standing in my constituency?

[@sasca854]

I hate Russell Brand. His ideas are completely asinine.

[@sasca854]

alterdestiny Hate.

[@TimeSquareTitts]

+vash1053 Thutz Wot Jonny Sedd Ludd !!

[@421idk]

+vash1053 you're an idiot

[@sasca854]

421idk Fuck off.

[@lewars1912]

+vash1053 Asinine? Sophomoric is another good word. (ಠ⌣ಠ)

[@martinmare3198]

"he's preaching all this from the mansion" Oh dayum

[@theautodidact7545]

He was once a teenage idol of mine. Now he is an adult idol of mine.

[@dondealga]

John called out Saville years b4 Saville was exposed, & he had measure of BS merchant Brand too

[@Graham.moore.1]

He outed him in 1978, then performed with him on top of the tops in 1979, 💰

[@heathsavage4852]

Always liked Johnny. Abrasive, but honest. I disagree with most of what he stands for and says, but I respect him.

[@theeouroborobelisk5477]

Same!

[@stevep9221]

Wow... This lady fought Brexit all the way and would stop democracy in this country right now if she could. She now has the brass neck to say the US must follow democracy in the US. Is she of sound mind or is this the biggest double standards of any person that ever walked the planet. What say you Tony?

[@thelefthandedshooter5760]

Hmmmm….this hasn’t aged well as Brand becomes a powerful voice on KZbin pointing out the corruption of both sides of all issues.

[@MaterDolorasa]

Brand saving face and trying to become more popular?

[@cordeliafitzgerald8714]

"Preaching from his mansion' 2023 and Johnny was spot on.❤

[@Graham.moore.1]

Johnny lives in a mansion in malibu

[@0Microcuts0]

And here we are.

[@richardruston1088]

03:14 "Get smart. Read as much as you can, and find out who's using you." The best advice I've heard recently.

[@iconicon7354]

He's not self-educated and he hasn't read any classic literature because he's suffering from brain atrophy, gradually deteriorating. This video interview irrefutably proves that there is a brain cell deficit.

[@jessicanielsen6134]

Just here, seven years later, to remind the masses that Brand is now quite literally the only source of objective media content and reasonable discourse

[@ge2719]

Not the only, there are others.

[@callactm14]

Hahaha

[@garynewton1263]

I like John, however I vote Conservative here in Australia because I don't think its a great idea having loads of refugess/asylum seekers continuing to flood the country taking $50,000 payments from taxpayers for a better life. Why should a nations taxpayers pay for someone from a third world country to get a better life? You should never get anything for nothing, you need to earn it and accept what life dishes up to you and not take things that don't belong to you. Socialism does not work, there are nearly 10 billion people on this planet and not enough food, water, money or resources for everyone so do the maths and stop refugees fleeing to rich nations.

[@ravenhill-night-chills-1968]

johnny the legend, always liked him, loved the pistols too, have all their albums.

[@strelok5661]

YES, i always thought about this... russel brand is a tool

[@dbdillboy]

I love John Lyndon he makes so much sense.

[@jonnybarnard8578]

Love seeing Rambo in the background still keeping an eye on John like the best bodyguard ever!

[@nicktownsend3055]

3:00 He berates UKIP. And last month he was on the Good Morning Britain sofa saying how much he support Brexit. Lets remember why Brexit was made possible !

[@TaxingIsThieving]

He got older and smarter

[@jodibales1836]

Humans are not equal...never gonna be

[@agentstaple1]

"Anarchists can't get anywhere without motorways" One of the most famous "punks" in the world preaching education and he doesn't understand what anarchy is...

[@Jowdanicus]

Representative democracy is not democracy at all. You get to vote on who is the figurehead of the status quo.

[@dudefrombelgium]

John Lydon is the sort of genius which was not appreciated in his own time.

[@nigelcarren]

Fun fact: Plain speaking John Lydon is one of my best friends. I just hope that one day I finally get to meet the man to tell him! 😂

[@carpscan]

What an interesting intelligent man, he is not as pretty a Russell Brand so he won't appeal to the youth..shame .

[@OthelloNGa]

"he's preaching all this from a mansion" Great stuff!

[@mykolfornasero3631]

I’m forever a pistols fan, but lm a firm believer in the words of Mark Twain -“ if voting made a difference they wouldn’t let us do it” at least here in America.

[@scruffjones15]

Get lydon and brand in a studio right now and argue it out.... tv gold

[@petergreen2552]

He's a legend. Outspoken,funny and very articulate.

[@wir154]

Funnier than Wussell Bland anyway and he's supposed to be a comedian!

[@ymg8057]

@@wir154 Exactly! And it looks like possibly some who encountered Wussell, the hipster halfwit, were not laughing!

[@benjerry6442]

Johnny doesn't know what he thinks. In one sentence he supports the common working man, in the next he slanders their concerns. No fool like an old fool who has always been a fool.

[@MrHeadcrab13]

Interesting take on politics and voting but looking at this in 2022 where we're at Russell Brand is the one continually unveiling hidden truths to the world. The activist journalist. Hmmm, why is this in my algorithm....?

[@ven11235]

In the states we have a selection, not an election. The average person has no say in the political process. We vote with our daily actions, how we spend our time and resources. Ultimately, there are many ways to go about living, but it rests in the transparent flow of information and organization.

[@uttaradit2]

shorten yer name and get to the point

[@ven11235]

@@uttaradit2 Grow some balls and use your real name and photo.

[@colshythecomedian]

I'd love John to be prime minister. He is way to intelligent, and has some remarkable insight and can enlighten anyone on how to live properly. However, I know he would think being prime minister would be sinister and dull

[@hongkongcantonese501]

"Find out who's using you." Words to live by.

[@renjay3743]

JL says you have to vote even though you're given lousy options. My point would be if you keep voting for lousy options then lousy options are all you're gonna get. I think what RB was saying is why vote for something you have no passion for. I get that. The way I see it they both have the same opinion. The options are lousy. I will vote to hopefully get rid of the lesser of 2 evils but when you can only separate them with a cigarette paper what's the fucking point. You're damned if you do, you're damned if you don't. Something has to change way beyond what's happening currently. Perhaps not voting is the best thing. Perhaps it ain't.

[@from_space]

i think if you dont vote the votes of others will count more. there have to be an unlikely high number of people not voting for the same election to bring this type of democracy in trouble. try to get about 30% of the population to demonstrate for the same cause...if you think this is possible it may be possible to win by not voting

[@renjay3743]

nfs I agree with your thoughts on why you should vote and I do vote for that very same reason. I think getting people to rally together as a unified voice can only speak volumes rather than them all saying the same thing individually but they would need to do this routinely with no violence or damage to property etc. It would need to be unchallengeable on the behavioural side of things otherwise the media would pounce on that rather than the effort needed for progress. Set an example and lead by it. I think social media has maybe helped to activate more people in their minds but clicking 'Like" is lazy. We need people to be activated into action and social media is a great way to organise such events.

[@colinmarkus1408]

Yes for the most part things will remain the same but individual choices made by whoever is in charge could have huge implications. Take the Iraq War for example, if Gore were President when 9/11 happened the response would've been different. We're still paying for that mistake and will probably pay decades into the future. Not to mention all the fallout and chaos from said war (ISIS, Syria). In a civilized society we must work within the system to change it, that is slow progress. Everything JL said about what will happen if you don't vote is correct. Brand's philosophies sound good on face value but when applied to real life they aren't very practical. The only other option is armed revolution.

[@Z___1]

What if our voting rights are removed as a result of low voting turn out? This could definitely be used as an excuse for the little exclusive club to take full control.

[@renjay3743]

Colin V Yeah but who's JL voting for? Labour? We'll see how the Chilcott inquiry pans out.

[@gussetblaster6786]

I'm 39yrs old and am totally and utterly clueless about politics and I feel embarrassed because of it.

[@daviepeterson5391]

"if you have a pile of money in the bank you are going to vote for the party who loves people with a pile of money in the bank but if your like the rest of us" *john is a millionaire who lives in a mansion in Florida*

[@dsdontsurf]

Not! Lydon lives in L.A. and his net worth is 500k - not a millionaire by any means. If he lives in a halfway decent home he deserves it, so what? He’s certainly not preaching to kids ‘don’t vote’ SMH

[@bobblehat6603]

"If you've got a pile of money in the bank...and if you're like the rest of us..." says the millionaire. LOL

[@66Pipes66]

Bobble Hat I doubt he’s got loads of dosh in the bank. He might own his home and have a pension.

[@lazyafrandomnumbers]

A couple of years ago he was worth 1 mil, I gotta say thats not a lot for someone singing since the 70s

[@mysteryegg340]

@@lazyafrandomnumbers 1 million is bugger all these days. He's probably comfortable at best.

[@Muirton66]

By saying the rest of us he is meaning the working class which is where his roots are.

[@sugarsean5866]

He never respected money. He actually said that before, but he's getting on a bit so I'd say might be comfortable. He's working since he's 19 or 20 after all

[@andyc1909]

He thinks he's smarter than he actually is.

[@misteredison2175]

Obviously Rotten doesn't get it..Brand is espousing real change! Rotten..you've turned into an old geezer whose outta touch...congrats! Lol

[@charliegrant6327]

I’m not sure but I suspect charming Jonny might have a pile of money in the bank .

[@mikebehan7089]

liking one party is like listening only to one sort of music and then proclaiming you are a music lover , I would vote for any party that I thought was doing the right thing .