KEN CLARKE: ANTI-BREXIT HERO

→ The ONLY Tory MP to vote against triggering #Brexit
𝗞𝗘𝗡 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜-𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗧 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗢 - 𝟭𝟬-𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼
From 31 January to 1 February 2017, MPs debated the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill on whether to trigger Brexit - the Article 50 notice.
MPs overwhelmingly backed the bill, supported by the Labour leadership under Jeremy Corbyn, by 498 votes FOR, to 114 AGAINST.
Ken Clarke was one of the 114 MPs. He was the ONLY Tory MP to vote against triggering Brexit.
He felt that remaining in the EU was in the country’s best interests, and as an MP, he considered it was his duty to vote accordingly, and to defy his party’s 3-line whip.
He had never felt beholden to the referendum result and in his brilliant speech, delivered with hardly a glance at his notes, he lucidly and persuasively explained why.
Ken Clarke, former Chancellor and leadership contender, is a traditional Tory who - unlike contemporary Conservatives - strongly backed Britain being a member of the European Community.
For over 50 years, he said, his party - the Conservatives - was in favour of the European Union. That suddenly changed, however, on 23 June 2016 with the referendum vote.
But he had not changed in his conviction.
He concluded:
“I personally shall be voting with my conscience content in this vote.
"And when we see what unfolds hereafter as we leave the European Union, I hope the consciences of other Members of Parliament remain equally content.”
How could any MP who voted for Brexit remain content today, witnessing the enormous damage that is now unfolding as a result?
𝗞𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼-𝗘𝗨 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼. 𝗛𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆.
© Video and report ‪@JonDanzig‬
▪ My video is a 10-minute edited version of Ken Clarke’s 16-minute speech. To view the full speech, go to: parliamentlive.tv/event/index...
#EU #EuropeanUnion

[@JonDanzig]

→ The ONLY Tory MP to vote against triggering #Brexit 𝗞𝗘𝗡 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜-𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗧 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗢 - 𝟭𝟬-𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 From 31 January to 1 February 2017, MPs debated the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill on whether to trigger Brexit - the Article 50 notice. MPs overwhelmingly backed the bill, supported by the Labour leadership under Jeremy Corbyn, by 498 votes FOR, to 114 AGAINST. Ken Clarke was one of the 114 MPs. He was the ONLY Tory MP to vote against triggering Brexit. He felt that remaining in the EU was in the country’s best interests, and as an MP, he considered it was his duty to vote accordingly, and to defy his party’s 3-line whip. He had never felt beholden to the referendum result and in his brilliant speech, delivered with hardly a glance at his notes, he lucidly and persuasively explained why. Ken Clarke, former Chancellor and leadership contender, is a traditional Tory who - unlike contemporary Conservatives - strongly backed Britain being a member of the European Community. For over 50 years, he said, his party - the Conservatives - was in favour of the European Union. That suddenly changed, however, on 23 June 2016 with the referendum vote. But he had not changed in his conviction. He concluded: “I personally shall be voting with my conscience content in this vote. "And when we see what unfolds hereafter as we leave the European Union, I hope the consciences of other Members of Parliament remain equally content.” How could any MP who voted for Brexit remain content today, witnessing the enormous damage that is now unfolding as a result? 𝗞𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼-𝗘𝗨 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼. 𝗛𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆.

[@philippenachtergal6077]

True. But it is also true that if Brexit had been aborted by a parliament vote despite the referendum, it would have made for a very dangerous political situation and politically boosted enormously the brexiters and the far right in general. But yeah, article 50 should never have been triggered before the negotiations with the EU had taken place and there should obviously have been a second referendum (like Farage and others had actually suggested would be the case). And of course, the yes/no nature of the referendum was stupid and dangerous.

[@hydrolifetech7911]

​@@SJG-nr8ujthe Brexiteer delusion in you is still strong after the disaster that unfolded due to Brexit? You are also bringing up nonsense Farage talking points which can be debunked with the easiest of research. Right-wing nutters are so gullible!

[@ab-ym3bf]

​​​@@philippenachtergal6077you might have missed the little inconvenience where the EU has said no negotiations before you file your art 50 notification? That was the moment the UK should and could have realized it did not hold a single card. As for the referendum, it was an almost 50-50 non binding referendum. In a proper functioning democracy with an actual functioning political system, not rich boys playing politics, the outcome would have been discussed in parliament as one of the pillars alongside expert assessment, concluding it would be nuts to brexit. That is what a population deserves from their political class, not what happenend since the vote in 2016. But stupidity, they voted for them again in 2019. Civil unrest? Pfff, the UK is full of paper tigers, keyboard warriors and zimmerframe "heroes" full of war talk, and all they do is write a letter to their mp as a token of protest. I do share your opinion expressed in the last sentence.

[@ab-ym3bf]

​@@SJG-nr8ujthe EU never pretended, pretend or will pretend to be "just a trade block". Only in your feverish English brexiter mind the EU has ever been such, showing you still know nothing about the EU and it is well shot of a population that after 7,5 years is still in the dark about the EU and unable to absorb any actual information.

[@philippenachtergal6077]

@@lesleywillis6177 That's not democratic. Truth is, the referendum should already have had 3 options. Like stay, leave and leave but only if we can stay in the single market.

[@CooperBayBay]

This is the most polite "You're all a bunch of knobs" I've ever heard in my life

[@suzy5166]

And you're what....🤡?

[@banksiasong]

A rare politician who remembers history, and wants to learn from it, not repeat its mistakes.

[@benedictcowell6547]

I apologise for encouraging the notion that Penny Mordaunt might rescue the party from its lunatic fringe. Her recent eulogy for Sunak suggests I was totally wrong. The only Tory I would now trust is Baroness Warsi who is a conservative not a rabid buffoon, .I am a Socialist and Socialism contains elements of liberalism and socialism constrained by informed caution and a conviction in law and the civil society which is why this former Communist believes in constitutional democracy under a monarch and despite being an agnostic, the believer in a state church as the spiritual underbelly of that civil society as its chaplaincy. I derived this damascene conversion whilst living and working in Scandinavia which is a society with liberty rather than the solipsism of Freedom which is rubbish. Good for Ken

[@ragnor56]

Yeah pull the other one

[@johnturnef133]

What history would that be, having never voted to join the EU, or the mountains of wasted food and wine subsidising French farmers and corrupt politicians for years.

[@quintusantell2912]

​@@SJG-nr8ujyes, let us know how the UK is doing in the 2030s. 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@quintusantell2912]

@@SJG-nr8uj whatever you say honey.

[@martinwalsh5513]

I'm not a Tory supporter but I applaud Ken Clark for his honesty and foresight

[@vitalyl1327]

​@@SJG-nr8uj gammon, did anyone give you a permission to open your facial orifice? With your single digit IQ, you must remain silent at all times.

[@ragnor56]

You don't know what Tory stands for in the real world its called personal wealth creation & Clarke is one of those is at the top of the taxpayers bill for this lifestyle of free wealth

[@craigchampagne7797]

I'm. I Brexiteer but Ken Clarke is a Big Tobacco lobbyist and a Thatcherite. Applaud that if you want.

[@vitalyl1327]

@@SJG-nr8uj you brexshitters are utterly deplorable

[@barrypower6822]

@@craigchampagne7797 and u love nigel pig forage farage

[@Mounhas]

Additionally Mr Clarke voted against the invasion of Iraq. As for his speech here, a man who knew his subject and in stark contrast to the meaningless 3 word slogans which have caused so much harm.

[@emotheriver]

Bravo

[@BurakvsPegasus]

People like slogans more than knowledge

[@starlight420]

You lost ffs.stop crying will you all. Jesus

[@Mounhas]

@@starlight420 We all lost thanks to the likes of you, be happy, but you’re not and never will be.

[@r2dezki]

Have to wonder why he was a tory at all.

[@nieuwegeljo5645]

From the Netherlands: How true is all he said. His speech should be heard by all Brits.

[@17Trees33]

​​​​​@@paulwilson3159 All brits are reaping the benefits of Brexit aren't they? Right? Oh wait no. Britain's got the highest unemployment, highest living costs and highest poverty rates in decades. So not really sure what you're on about "fixing Dutch problems" Britain's got multiple issues of their own. And you know what I'm highly sure a majority of Brits would rather live in the Nertherlands than the UK right now. Brits keep getting Prime ministers that would rather blame all the countries issues or "poor brown immigrants who wreck the culture" instead of just doing the obvious which is fixing the issue and stop taking government funding and putting it in oversea bank accounts And don't even bother with replying with anti Labour Party stuff cause I'm not huge fans of them either.

[@17Trees33]

​@paulwilson3159 not really aure what you're talking about sorry please clarify, also not sure why my original comment got deleted, but no I'm not being pro Dutch, but how can you mock the current situation in the Netherlands. When the UK is doing a lot worse, highest poverty, unemployment, and living costs in decades, the brits aren't benefiting from Brexit at all if anything its done the opposite.

[@UltraVayne]

@@paulwilson3159 A leader that will repeat all of YOUR mistakes just to retire in no more than 4 years when his votes will go down? The leader that is angry that Nazi propaganda is forbidden and draws inspiration from Adolf Hitler? The leader that cannot form a coalition because no one likes him and only works with him for their own benefit? Please if you are going to sink an economy and starve on the streets because of it do it in your own country and stay outside of OUR affairs.

[@sengs.4838]

Not only to brits but the nationalists parties also in the EU who has just readjusted their strategy and big talks to stay and control the Eu from the inside now

[@Gennettor-nc8kx]

It's not very clever to reveal that you are Dutch; see the reactions to your posting. We Brits are staunch wiseacres and, although most of us by now realize that Brexit is a colossal mistake, we do not accept to be told that by a foreigner, especially not a foreigner much smarter than us.

[@martinholmes-ue9ko]

The old style of Tory not the rubbish in charge now.

[@TheSuperPsychoKiller]

Old school when politicians were educated and classy not uneducated and trashy.

[@Steve-yx1xj]

Johnson was the destruction of the Parliamentry Tory Party. I'm (just about) centre left and end up voting Lib/Dem tactically as Labour have no chance where I live but I'd have been happy to vote for Ken Clarke, Dominic Grieve, Anna Soubry all decent Tories, all now gone. My local council now has no Tories despite, or probably because our MP is a staunch Johnsonite, lets hope this happens nationally. incidentally the Tories if I remember rightly got 9% of the vote, the local paper had a letter from a Tory supporter calling for proportional representation, amazing.

[@tombrown407]

​@@TheSuperPsychoKillerPoliticians now are just as educated as they have always been, if not more so.

[@tombrown407]

The tories have always been wrong, they just used to be people.

[@bbell1549]

@@tombrown407 I am afraid, you are right. They are educated just the same. There are evil/nasty/narcissistic motives behind their rhetoric. They don’t give a shit about this country in reality, they lie thru their 🦷teeth if they say they do.

[@CloudhoundCoUk]

Ken Clarke has integrity, unlike current Tory MPs.

[@bobjohnbowles]

Any tory MP who had integrity was removed in 2019 by Boris Johnson. The current tory party has abandoned its roots.

[@bobjohnbowles]

@@SJG-nr8uj Depends what you regard as treachery, I guess. FWIW everyone who lied to support the leave campaign without a plan deserves their "special place in hell".

[@bobjohnbowles]

@@SJG-nr8uj that's the most long-winded way of saying you don't know what you're talking about I have ever seen.

[@Willywin]

You mean he s wiling to sell out the working class unlike the current Tory MP's - although by the number of EUrophiles in the ranks of the Conservative Party, sadly Clarke is not alone.

[@user-kv5fv2nv7o]

If you had integrity you would accept a democratic referendum result.

[@tripnick555]

Ken Clarke made another great speech yesterday in the House of Lords regarding the Rwanda bill and it reminded me of this speech. Ken is one of the few politicians that I respect for his intelligence, common sense, honesty and integrity.

[@beckynelson6786]

Agree absolutely.

[@corbeau-_-]

don't forget his decades of dedication and experience

[@alexzx86]

I am Italian and I don't know all British politicians but this is one of the most sensible, rational and wisest speeches I have heard in this country.

[@dragonade85]

He was a very good constituency MP. Unlike most, he was from and lived in the area he represented.

[@ragnor56]

Yeah he did nothing to stem immigration when he was home scretary??

[@howardwoolley822]

Ken Clarke - I’m a Labour supporter but I still believe Ken is one of the best Prime Ministers we never had. A man with common sense, sympathy and integrity. Something sadly missing now.

[@dh1380]

Why is that traitorous?

[@juanleahy2202]

Very well said. I also wonder, what could have happened, ref the Afganistan & Iraq war, if the Scottish MP John Smith has become Prime Minister in 1997.

[@jonathandnicholson]

@@SJG-nr8uj A traitor is someone who betrays. Judas Iscariot. Ken Clarke is a not a Judas because Clarke has been clear, consistent and honest about his views. Also, the crime of treason is to the Crown not the electorate or nation.

[@You-are-right-but]

​@@SJG-nr8uj So, what did you get from Brexit? Genuinely asking, try to make it something real.

[@marcos3ltrv6]

@@SJG-nr8uj or maybe you have, you are ignoring the fact that as members we had the power of veto over EU policy. We were once pary of a powerful union but are now at the bottom of the food chain🙄

[@robertfmorton]

Talk about hitting the nail on the head. What brexiters never understand is that before we joined the EU, we were actually the 'sick man of Europe '!

[@bh5037]

and Story party will lead you to that point again ... congrats !

[@QuoPaperPlane]

That's cobblers. The UK was well into the 70s and early 80s before that tag was mentioned. We were always the sick member whilst been told to jump. Well we jumped out of it so get used to it.

[@robertfmorton]

@QuoPaperPlane Well, I'm old enough to actually remember it and Kenneth Clarke obviously also knows so you are talking actual bo**ocks!

[@robertfmorton]

@QuoPaperPlane You brextiters are cut from the same cloth as MAGA Trumpsters. You argue black is white and that light is dark! I'm old enough to remember the pre-EU days. So, too, is Kenneth Clarke who knows a damn sight more about political economics and trade than you or your average brexiter. You carry on believing that the moon is made of green cheese!

[@garthanthonyvirgo4030]

We've got to pretend it was never so.

[@rorywilson656]

The Tories missed a trick putting Cameron in instead of this man- a true political heavyweight. Imagine what he saw in over 50 years of government, and where it has ended up. He must be heartbroken.

[@gframe287]

Yes...I remember the two were in the leadership race. The fact was the members went for slick style of substance.

[@thedangerzone9399]

Dodgy dave and hes gang of baboons

[@barrypower6822]

​@@gframe287and Clarke was too Liberal for them

[@nicoh848]

Cameron was willing to sacrifice the good of the many for the good of the few.

[@daviddowsett1658]

@@nicoh848 OR THE ONE ...

[@EAFXtrader]

One of the few decent Tories

[@Steve-yx1xj]

none left in the house of commons

[@rolandhawken6628]

Come on you are only saying that because he is a remainer . I some times thing the British are insane still blabbing on about the EU having no idea about the nightmare a little further up the road where things like Eu membership will have no meaning what so ever

[@sdwone]

I've never voted Tory in my Life... But even so, I still have a huge amount of respect for some of these Old Skool Tories! Ken Clarke being one of them! They just don't make Tory politicians like they used to! Heck! Even Labour is trying!!!

[@user-kv5fv2nv7o]

He was trying to run his own little government against the elected government with other arrogant so-and-sos like Grieve, couldn't accept a democratic referendum result, threw his toys out of the pram.

[@Rumpelstyltskin]

Like John Major, Ken came from humble origins.

[@bortstanson2034]

kicked out of the party by charlatans and scammers

[@joefelicianomarques9380]

A masterclass in what politics should be about, irrespective of our political views.

[@peterjhillier7659]

At 77 I have never voted Tory but I applaud Ken Clarke as a Politician with Integrity which is so missing in the poor Excuse for a Political Party the Tories now represent.

[@habbomanish]

So u vote labour

[@adrianturner655]

What a speach.. what ever happened to decent politicians? I know they were never perfect.. but compared to today's bunch? God help us!

[@TheDevilWAH]

The decent ones are sitting one the back benches. Sadly a lot of people get in to politics to make a positive change. But unless you are in with the big companies and name you don't stand a chance. Ok have been watching the post office tribunal and investigating and the contrast between when good honest hardworking MP's and members of the investigation are saying. And how the leaders and people who's pockets / reputation it affects are saying is telling. I believe a lot more of our MP's than we think are the kind of MP we want and need. But the elite minority hold all the power and voice.

[@Nilruin]

People are acting as if politicians have ever been good. They might have been a bit more reserved a hundred years ago, but never good. The past twenty years haven't "ruined" politics, the past twenty years have only shown that the media has imbedded itself in the political scene and that modern day politics are just a popularity contest and a circus act. Politicians back in the day were just as ineffective and greedy and evil, they just had to put up a face for the public, to maintain a semblance of humility or virtue. They don't need to do that anymore, because people have decided that they won't ever put the most competent candidate in charge of their lives, they're simply going to put the one they like the most in office. That's all this is.

[@TheDevilWAH]

@@Nilruin Ah yes no politicians are every good. I mean that lord Shaftesbury bback in the 1800's, and the social reforms he pushed for. Suggesting mental illness should be seen as a illness and not as reason to make people out casts. Suggesting there should be a limit on how long people could be made to work in a day. Fighting for laws to abolish child labour and stop children of 5 years old being sent down mines. No no all politicatins have all ways been evil and greedy. becasue never has one good person thought "im going to try and make a differnce and got in to politics" In fact if you bothered watching the back benchers in parliament with out the white washing of the new and media. There are some great politicians. but if all you do is follow the popularity contest and the ones the media use to make money from your only ever going to see the Trumps and the Bidens. Who like you say are the ones with care only about the money and being able to be called "leader".

[@DaUrbanGoose]

Tbf politicians pretty much all over the world are like this.

[@dragoskrlec357]

Chapeau Mr. Clarke! Regardless of political system, that's what any voter around the world would expect from his MP.

[@dragoskrlec357]

I was hoping that 45 years of membership would make one feel Europe is also "his country". "The bigger fence you build, the smaller your garden looks."

[@MikeAG333]

What, to ignore the results of a referendum? Really? What is it about democracy which you don't understand?

[@cancerino666]

I'm not conservative, but I'd vote for this man.

[@DundG]

​​@@SJG-nr8ujThat's why most europeans don't miss the british folk. After decades you still don't see us as brothers.

[@theshadowoflavoisin]

I can't believe that this man, a Tory at that was the only one who spoke with such clear understanding and perfect sense about all the benefits of being in the EU. How the British people have been lied to and betrayed by so many politicians should never be forgotten nor forgiven. Ken Clarke is a true statesman though. How he gives this speech without even looking at any notes is beyond me, a man quite advanced in age at that. He's absolutely brilliant and actually has morals, unlike many Tories I'm afraid.

[@lloydnaylor6113]

What lies? Project fear perhaps?

[@theshadowoflavoisin]

@@lloydnaylor6113 I can't believe after everything that's happened there are still people who call it project fear.

[@maaikevreugdemaker9210]

​@@lloydnaylor6113well, the 'economic benefits' such tarrifs britain would enjoy to begin with.

[@1chish]

You miss the point. That argument was had and decided by the electorate. This man and his cohorts were intent on ignoring the decision made in June 2016 and keeping us in the EU. AGAINST THE WISHES OF THE ELECTORATE!

[@leostreat3573]

As he says such an enormous question put to a simple yes/no its totally ridiculous. Those voting to leave didn't have a clue what they were voting for. The public should never have been asked.

[@markpearson8721]

It was also a huge mistake to make such an important constitutional decision based on a simple majority, which after all could theoretically have come down to a single vote. It's the kind of vote you hold when asking your family or friends whether they want to go to Brighton or Bournemouth for a day at the seaside, not set the future course for the nation. Even the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) required two-thirds of members to vote in favour of allowing women to become members some years ago for the motion to be carried.

[@brianthompson7950]

How arrogant are you ? "Didn't have a clue what they were voting for" how do you know that about every single brexit voter

[@ninodino444]

@@brianthompson7950 ok, then 95% of Brexit voter? Better? Go sleep under rock again

[@brianthompson7950]

@ninodino444 most rocks are between your ears

[@leostreat3573]

@@brianthompson7950 go on please do explain what you were voting for and if you possibly can how it's come to pass . Spare us the taking back control line . It appears to me all we have done is put barriers in the way with our nearest trading partners . Farmers have so much more red tape to deal with alot have gone out of business. Immigration has increased so that bit hasn't worked. Need I go on ?

[@HelenaMikas]

A real member of Parliament...He stood up and spoke truth.Those who were conned followed clowns and charlatans. Thank you Jon..

[@Mussi93]

​@@SJG-nr8ujMaybe if you asked a precise question instead of throwing around some buzzword terms you've read in the Daily Mail somewhere, people could answer it. Words are not questions.

[@ragnor56]

Kenneth Clarke PLC ???

[@Laroac]

​@@SJG-nr8ujPlease tell me since you are well read on those items, could you please write me some reasons why the UK would have been worse than it is now by staying? Shouldn't be too hard right?

[@thomaskruck4474]

​@@SJG-nr8uj Greetings from Germany! The EU is not a monster as you describe it. Ken Clarke is right. Watch the reports about the current issues. It's sad how this decision came about. Perhaps someone will check the Russian influence (to divide) in this matter, especially the campaign by master Cummings who was fluent in Russian after spending some years there.

[@aleph8888]

It’s the German government that allowed itself to become dependent on Russian gas.

[@galaxyceiling4137]

Brexit has been a terrible mistake. 70% of the UK population regret leaving the EU.

[@zydomason]

why?

[@Omega-mr1jg]

​@@zydomasonloss of trade and economic profit from said trade lack of easy access to britian and the removal of the schengen area that allowed for easy access and loss of being a part of EU in general which acts as an entity more similar to USA and China in terms of power than anything else which wouldve benefitted UK to be a part of. If I ever wanted to live in UK, now that theyre no longer an EU member I wouldnt even dare to do so. EU is a bigger, better and a more trustable entity and i would give my all to EU and not my member country

[@zydomason]

@@Omega-mr1jg What stops the UK from signing new trade deals with countries they are interested in. EU is a government before everything else, not simply a common economical area.

[@Omega-mr1jg]

@@zydomason except it literally is that? Unfavorable deals dont create capital, i know britian due to offshore banks and money laundering not their cars on IT industry

[@stevioAda]

No they don't

[@californiadreamin8423]

Look at les nulles behind him and behind Sunak today. I so detest the catastrophic damage the Tories have done .

[@windowman929]

This guy is like a beam of light, speaking in a dark box of mushrooms....

[@patrickh8602]

Ken Clarke is a rare breed, a Tory I respect! Ken Clarke and Michael Heseltine are a profound loss to the Conservative party and were possibly the last Bulwarks against the libertarian, Brexiteer nonsense we have infesting the Parliamentary party now.

[@MikeAG333]

Oh, I see. You've got a problem with democracy.

[@hydrolifetech7911]

​@@MikeAG333it was an advisory referendum that the disaster capitalists in the Tory Party hijacked to deliver a broken Britain. Quit with your 'you are against democracy' nonsense!

[@patrickh8602]

@@MikeAG333 Get a grip will you 😂

[@patrickh8602]

@@SJG-nr8uj Tory MPs are just following the Rupublican Party in the US like good little lapdogs. They'll deliver us into the hands of anyone that pays them enough, Trump or Putin they don't care.

[@gordon1201]

​​@@MikeAG333democracy isn't defined by voting on absolutely everything as a simple yes or no. The ancient Greeks who INVENTED democracy actually had debates. There was a system called sortition, where citizens were called to take part and debate on issues before voting. It involves DEBATE. There was no debate here, no science, nothing. Just populists taking advantage of how weak our system is to lie to the public and enrich themselves. Don't you realise you're being used by farage and his ilk? They all got EU passports ASAP because they knew the shit show they were creating. Most of them are also in finance. Do you have the slightest idea why a stock broker or a banker would cause such world changing event? Ever heard of the 2008 financial crisis? Ever heard of shorting? This is what they did with Brexit. They knew the value would tank, and they could make a killing. Then they disappeared from public life. It's your duty to educate yourself. You are dragging us all down with you

[@hilarykirkby4771]

Wise words that fell on the deaf ears of those who swallowed the lies and hoped to make a quick buck themselves, ignoring the benefits that EU membership brought to the country.

[@bastiani47]

​@SJG-nr8uj you just copy and paste yourself...? Seems so, same stuff under various comments. Very clever.

[@Laroac]

​@@SJG-nr8ujProve what wrong? you haven't made a point so noone has been arguing against a point? You've only thrown buzzwords arpund but haven't explained what they mean nor why they would have put the UK in a worse position than they are now.

[@kaizokuo5850]

At least the propaganda has died down a bit. Remember when in the 12 hours after the Brexit polls closed, "What is the EU" climbed to the second highest UK search results on the European Union? If that wasn't the biggest "o sh*t" moment I've seen in a *long* time 😂

[@kaizokuo5850]

@@SJG-nr8uj Cool hypothetical story, bro 😂 remember that big ol' bus traveling around the country with the slogan "We send the EU £350 million a week - let's fund the NHS instead!" Now check the interview Nigel Farage gave *literally the day after* the Brexit polls. Always cracks me up.

[@Laroac]

@@SJG-nr8uj There is nothing I have to prove wrong, I am not arguing these points. I am asking how any thing you've said would have put the UK in a worse position than they are now.

[@rogermiddleton6574]

What a man a real politician, had vision,ethics,morals,integrity ,a real heavyweight .shame about all current career politicians. Ken Clarke a great politician.BoJo a shameless example of today’s mob .

[@lloydnaylor6113]

Ken Clarke , campaigned to overturn the biggest democratic mandate in British history , appointed to the undemocractic unelected House of Lords, Boris a 80 seat majority. Says it all.

[@johnturnef133]

Another career politician whose lived like a king on the backs of the working class and the idiots on this site are fawning all over him.

[@Sat-Man-Alpha]

A speech for history books…..

[@zdenek75a]

This speech should be IMMEDIATELY added to basic school syllabus all over the EU states.

[@MegaKapo12]

They don't need, EU governance is in some countries part of the syllabus already, I left school in 1997 and knew thwn a lot more about the EU than a gobshite loudmouth than ran a party starting with U ending in Kip

[@californiadreamin8423]

….and the U.K.

[@nicbobags8241]

​@@californiadreamin8423it'll be a key speech in history lessons when kids learn about the demise of the UK and the dangers of voter insanity.

[@californiadreamin8423]

@@nicbobags8241 ….you mean the danger of politicians running non binding opinion polls corrupted by fraud, in which 13 million do not vote, plus those denied a vote, where the Prime Minister shows a yellow streak by running away from his office and his constituents, and his replacement declares the opinion poll “the will of the people” and something about democracy, then being forced by the Law Courts to have the issue decided by parliament.

[@californiadreamin8423]

@@nicbobags8241 Can you see my reply ?

[@nikolaslarson6891]

Amazing speech from an old school conservative...

[@Steve-yx1xj]

rather than the rabid rabble we have now

[@vsGoliath96]

​@@Steve-yx1xjSame thing over here in the States. What was once a legitimate party of conservative legislatures has been completely consumed by insane radicals calling for us to abandon our allies and close our borders. A group that believes refugees are a racist invasion and that a Jewish banking family has space lasers they use to light California on fire. A party who happily and willingly puts forward a man facing 91 criminal indictments as their front runner for the presidency, arguably the most powerful political position on the planet.

[@Alblaka]

It's a good highlight of what conservatism could be, and what it brings to the table if executed correctly: Caution and stability. The caution of a conservative party should be the cloak to the dagger of the innovation of a progressive party. Working in tandem, and keeping each other in check so that neither does a country stagnate in action, nor end up destabilized over rushing too haphazardly into undue reforms.

[@mototakahe836]

You would think he was a fortune teller of great renown. Here we are in Wonderland.

[@alainblanc5738]

How wise to display this remarkable speech. I am convinced you will find the way to look seriously to this matter, and that new politicians like Ken Clarke will reveal themselves.

[@AntonioMarino5763]

wow he said seven years in advance what really happened in the uk a true nostradamus of our times😮

[@audreymcgready4329]

The Scottish 1st Minister spelt it out to us too what would happen and she was right.

[@geoffpegler4506]

It wasn't hard to see to anyone with their eyes open.

[@jlc5639]

my head is and was lodged in my arse, and I saw it coming

[@TheHoveHeretic]

In point of fact, many of us did .... unfortunately, to no greater effect than Ken Clark. One didn't need to be an ex-cabinet minister, or indeed an MP, to forsee the effects of so suicidally stupid a course of action. I remain severely hacked off at having my EU citizenship stolen by liars, deniers, bigots and fools AND I WANT IT BACK. 🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺

[@rorykeegan1895]

Really? I love Ken Clarke because he's not an idiot. Only an idiot thought Brexit would work out well for the UK. The UK appears to have more idiots with voting rights than any other country in the world.

[@n.ayieko1645]

Crikey, what a speech. But unfortunately our Brexiteer voting brethren were never going to be swayed with such facts and reasoning. Ahh, bless! And here we are, with them now arguing about this not being the Brexit they voted for. Funny, because this is EXACTLY the Brexit I happend to have voted against. Go figure.

[@lloydnaylor6113]

Facts ha ha , project fear 🤣 hows things in the EU ? Its farmers seem a tad upset 🤣

[@georgeyeboah7962]

@@lloydnaylor6113how are things in the Uk, we are in for a recession

[@lloydnaylor6113]

@@georgeyeboah7962 ah no , didnt take you sado remoaner rejoiner quislings long to enjoy the news that your country is in recession. A small drop in gdp over two quarters, meanwhile the UK gdp has risen more than France and the sick man of Europe, Germany since the referendum and the UK has overtook France to become a bigger manufacturing economy. Jog on.

[@draffyduck1]

And yet, they listened to Johnson, Mogg, and Gove. Incredible. Every single one of his foreseen disasters has become a fact.

[@nicks4934]

Ken is right on this

[@philipknowles2912]

One of the few statesmen we have left.

[@philipknowles2912]

Since when does expressing an opinion make you a traitor? @@SJG-nr8uj

[@philipknowles2912]

There's been talk of a federalised Europe since the 1800s. Winston Churchill, hardly a traitor to this country, even suggested it. It remains a pipe dream. The other peoples of Europe are, like us, proud of their national heritage and traditions and are unlikely to be willing to sacrifice them on the altar of federalisation. A USE is still many decades away, if it ever happens. In the meantime, most people have now woken up, smelt the coffee and realised that we were lied to by the leave campaign.

[@tramdriver123]

This Tory MP seemed to have been the only one not blinded by the Brexit "light". In hindsight he proved to be 100% right.

[@lesleynewman3399]

Dominic Grieve is another.

[@lloydnaylor6113]

He probably believed in project fear too 🤣

[@davesy6969]

This is spot on.

[@heyespeter]

I was spellbound listening to Mr. Clarke. I believed every word he said, and I don’t vote Conservative. We need more like him.

[@propjoe1060]

One of the best speeches of recent years in the House of Commons. It's a shame more people didn't listen to this man's warnings.

[@propjoe1060]

@@SJG-nr8uj You should go to some of the run-down areas of the country devastated by Brexit and the difficulties of exporting to the European market, and to business owners who have had to either close down or move their businesses to mainland Europe and spout this bollocks to them. See what their response is!

[@Dracurosu]

Thank you for reminding us that such politicians can exist, unfortunately I cannot think of any worth following these days...

[@malcolmstar8036]

I’ve never liked Tory politicians and Ken Clarke was a major part of the hateful Thatcher government. That being said, his speech was one of the most cogent and honourable I have heard. Well done Ken Clark.

[@ErikaBhowmick]

Well Done Ken Clack This Is The Thruth Off Trading With EU ❤❤❤

[@bbell1549]

Ken Clarke & Michael Hesseltine were both great, decent & honest politicians. None left in the Tory party.

[@Knappa22]

And Dominic Grieve too. A superb attorney general.

[@bbell1549]

@@Knappa22 yes, of course! Sorry, I forgot about him, probably because he is more recent and younger than the other 2.

[@suederekfitz-gibbon7188]

A true political heavyweight, with honesty and integrity and intellectual heft which just doesn't seem to exist now in the Conservative party - particularly at Cabinet level. How many of the Brexiteers who pushed this Alice in Wonderland future will now have the courage to tell Ken Clarke that his speech was 100% right?

[@Albanach-je1nk]

​@@SJG-nr8uj What is it exactly you are happy with? The rest of the world is laughing at you little Englander

[@adampeckham8541]

​@@SJG-nr8ujCool story ...... When's that all happening then? 😊 I take it you're a quitter rather than remoaner?

[@adampeckham8541]

@@SJG-nr8uj 😂😂😂😂😂 Sure it is mate Did you think when you decided to quit you'd make poorer people's lives harder by pushing up food inflation ? Cos you obviously love sovereignty do you support an independent Scotland ?

[@adampeckham8541]

@@SJG-nr8uj You against NATO I take it? Article 5 surrenders total sovereignty of one member state gets attacked

[@guyroebuck8510]

And just as predicted . I as one of the uneducated public. Thought it was like voting on whether you wanted your right arm cutting off. I voted remain. Worst political event in my lifetime 😢.

[@antoniosalicini7394]

👏👏👏 92 minutes of applause

[@user-kd2ij7te5v]

Awesome speech.

[@cathlaurs9754]

Truer words were never said.

[@patrickryan5570]

Ken Clarke is a true statesman of complete integrity - I spoke to a retired senior civil servant last week who told me of all the politicians she served that Ken Clarke was the best and the most likable - Brexit was a stupid referendum for the damage it has done to the UK is enormous and such a complex issue was never really a binary yes or no answer - So here we are 8 years later and today in a poll 70% people agree that Brexit has damaged the UK - Unfortunately as Ken alluded in his brilliant speech that we were all about to down a very deep rabbit hole - The subject of Brexit is now so toxic that the political parties just simply want to ignore it for they cannot give any benefits against the monumental losses.

[@davidmiller3709]

I remember the words of a correspondent describing the MPs “filing dead-eyed into the lobbies”. They had the opportunity to put the process to more rigorous examination, but they failed. Parliament failed the people.

[@gianlucabelotti8860]

He is one of the last real politician in the UK. How could Brits preferred clowns (Farage and Boris) to him! What a pity for your country.

[@raybo64]

Amazing speech. Ken Clarke is sorely missed in the Commons. A decent Tory voice as the exception that proves the rule. And look at all the deaf ears that were connected to the arses sitting in the tiered seats just in front of him. How are they with Brexshit now?

[@Chedog4444]

The man is a genius

[@Steve-yx1xj]

Hardly a traitor, just not a Little Englander. Someone with a optimistic view of the future, someone who cares more for humanity than for tribalism. A sincere and decent guy.

[@hmq9052]

Cool to see what the kids will be using in future history classes

[@hmq9052]

@@SJG-nr8uj It won't take a long at all. Come in St Petersburg. We are ready to receive 📞

[@Steve-yx1xj]

Yes, hopefully when we've rejoined the EU. The polls show that a majority now realise what a mistake brexit was. I'm still looking forward to these extra millions for the NHS then perhaps we could pay our doctors fairly and stop them emigrating. Oh dear, what ! Boris Johnson lied ? I can't believe it !!!!!!

[@ganrimmonim]

Oh, when politicians were competent and moderate.

[@TheHoveHeretic]

And when was that then? 🤔

[@Steve-yx1xj]

Moderate....all throughout my 66 years except Thatcher and from Johnson onwards. Competent mostly except Heath, Callaghan and Johnson onwards.

[@spindizzy64]

Our last great statesman.

[@rosendo3523]

​@@SJG-nr8uj 'Traitor'....lol

[@jonathandnicholson]

No need to be hyperbolic and pessimistic.

[@rosendo3523]

We left because 'Leave' promised to 'control our borders' and reduce immigration - (look how that turned out). If you think otherwise, you're deluded. Most people who voted to leave wouldn't know how to spell sovereignty, let alone vote for it.@@SJG-nr8uj

[@LuciaBowen-iw9cr]

My goodness....what a speech, unscripted, no notes, a true orator. I'm Irish, lived in London for 30 years. Always voted Labour. However, always liked Kenneth Clarke, thought he was likeable and extremely cogent.

[@tofu_golem]

Gosh, if only millions of Brits warned the other Brits that Brexit was a really dumb idea. Oh wait.

[@DanielleKingdjdinosaur]

he has his faults .After all he is a tory but on the EU he was right and his party was wrong

[@ab-ym3bf]

First sane reply seen here after all those worshipper posts.

[@davidbaxter4910]

ABSOLUTEMENT.

[@davidbaxter4910]

YES.

[@bobrobertson9547]

I don’t like Tories, but Ben Clarke is an honest broker. You can’t say that about the Tories in 2024.

[@thomasdelany2034]

Fluent, coherent, articulate, principled and intelligent. Don't want his sort around, expel him now. Harrumph

[@Harryset1]

There is nothing left out to add to that.

[@matthewdodd5054]

The only Tory who had a brain, competence and substance…

[@vmmf27]

The Voice of reason

[@eekamoose]

These were common-sense arguments whose existence few Tory and even Labour politicians were or are willing to admit to. Ken Clarke - one of the very few Conservative politicians worthy of respect.

[@raffaelenotarianni7605]

Labour Politicians altogether were no less guilty of the brexit catastrophe!

[@Pajune]

What a great speech! Unity of the nations in Europe is of the utmost importance in the day and age we live in. People should study more how European Union has actually benefited its members.

[@paulevans9649]

Wow. What a well thought out out speach

[@paulholdstock4751]

How right he was.

[@moniquehenry4041]

What he said is what people from abroad interested in the UK knew and understood clearly at the time. That's why we were shocked that the UK chose to leave the EU.

[@bardz0sz]

Dear UK, I’m sorry we’ve lost you. A fellow European

[@MazzaEliLi7406]

Thank you.

[@macdodd]

We lost a lot of honest MPs with that vote

[@Westwoodii]

Wonderful to be reminded of this speech. Never was wisdom so lightly dismissed and with such long-standing negative consequences, as when the ERG wing of the Tory party got its way on Brexit and thereafter purged the remaining quality statesmen of the parliamentary party such as Ken Clarke, on the altar of Brexit ideology.

[@Knappa22]

Every word true, and spoken with the compelling skill of an excellent orator.

[@VonKirda]

The attitudes of the 2 behind him tells it all. But do not forget that Labour was too partizan to prevent Brexit when they could.

[@christianharris8959]

Excellent summary...how right he was.

[@starhalv2427]

As a Polish person, I am extremely thankful that our nation ended up joining the European Union. If not for that, it is possible that our nation would stray from democratic principles it was reformed upon during the years between 1989 and 1997. From my perspective, finantial help for our economy is just a nice bonus on top.

[@nigeljamesherrington8333]

Quite brilliant! 👏

[@vincentciliberti5026]

Thank you Jon Danzig

[@vincentciliberti5026]

It was MP Ken Clarke who said those words. Are you happy with brexit? If yes so be it. (only dumbest people are happy) If not your MPs voted for it on your behalf. .@@SJG-nr8uj

[@thefrecklepuny]

Brilliant speech from Ken Clarke here. In full agreement with every word.

[@LucianoMMatias]

This speech should’ve been said and heard by all Brits before the referendum.

[@garthanthonyvirgo4030]

I listen with sadness. The far right as won.😢

[@garthanthonyvirgo4030]

@@SJG-nr8uj You sound like one of the few who benefited greatly from Brexit.

[@ckidd4394]

7 years later this great speech looks even better ( and correct)

[@nickdoughty518]

Those trade deals never happened.

[@nickdoughty518]

Even worse, the rollover deals are timing out like Canada's where tariffs now apply to UK exports and the Canadians have walked away from the talks.

[@lloydnaylor6113]

@@nickdoughty518 ir was the UK who walked away from the talks. Looking forward to Trump winning for the USA UK trade deal that old senile Biden is not keen on .

[@MellowFellowOfYellow]

That was his point. He was being completely sarcastic. The UK was already in a great position to make long term trade deals as a member of the EU so it was completely farcical to think that after leaving the EU they would somehow have deals lined up that weren’t available before.

[@smogmonster1876]

I’m not a Tory, in fact I despise the party. Nye Bevan said that ‘So far as (he) was concerned, they are lower than vermin’. He was right, they are, poverty rising, Foodbanks, the children of immigrants who hate immigrants, economy buggered, national debt increased despite ( or because of) austerity, crumbling buildings, NHS on it knees etc etc etc BUT I despite being an utterly shit Chancellor of the Exchequer, every word Clarke says here is absolutely correct. Brexit was the single most cretinous thing we have ever done.

[@jackycharfaz2835]

I am french and France needs many MP’s like him. The debate here is so mean. This man is exceptionnal

[@madnathalie261]

Bonjour, vous pourriez peut-être diffuser ce discours dans vos réseaux sociaux ? Moi, je vais le faire chez moi, en Belgique.

[@hajosalz1621]

WOW! There is reason within the Tory party. Or sadly... was?

[@micksoden7064]

He was a great orator, with a thought process that's sadly missing now

[@dregen8662]

The pity is that this speech was never heard during the Brexit campaign

[@warrenthorp]

Exactly what I said at the time; how ridiculous to give the average man or woman on the street a vote on such an important and complex issue. It beggars belief. And we are all paying for it.

[@warrenthorp]

@@SJG-nr8uj you have missed the point. You are an idiot.

[@BrianCharlesThomas-dp9du]

Kenneth Clark and Michael Heseltine are the only two intelligent people in the entire Conservative party, and the only two people I will listen to . Even though I am not a Conservative.

[@clivestraw1913]

Sad person

[@BrianCharlesThomas-dp9du]

@@clivestraw1913 not at all Clive. Brexit has helped destroy the Con party, and I am over the moon about it.

[@user-dd7cf5rh8n]

Been proven to be spot on at every level

[@andreroelleke-smyth7758]

Ken Clarke saw it, new exactly what was going to happen. Terrible leadership since Cameron to now. UK is even in a recession and the Europe is not, and neither is other countries. Well done Conservative leadership shame on you.. The question is what will Labour do???

[@eduardhenny1]

A beacon of light in the darkness

[@147sterling6]

What an awesome speech. And I'm a Labour supporter.

[@l33jcm]

Isn't it funny (well, not funny at all) that most of the Tory front bench in the closing shot are no longer in Government (or even in Parliament)!

[@JohnHopkins-hn7hu]

That’s typical, all those who put us in the #hite, hurried away, leaving others to carry the burden. Johnson should be thrown in prison for the damage he has inflicted on our Nation.

[@LMB222]

His sentences are much too long for idiots to comprehend.

[@jiversteve]

Spot on Ken!