Kwasi Kwarteng on Liz Truss's "insane" decisions | The News Agents

[@parslowpongbert1566]

Preceding an apology with “if it makes you feel better” isn’t really an apology at all, just insulting.

[@irnickkkknowles]

My pension tanked and my mortgage went up. These bandits should be in prison, not swanning around chat shows trying to rebuild their 'brand'

[@Red1Green2Blue3]

It's all a game to people like him. Sickening.

[@susanpettitt713]

Yep post below all a game.sons mortgage went up by 500 per month...sad thing is this man is intelligent and f over the country

[@awkwardatlas5623]

Ah, but you forget it only affected a “narrow segment” of the population, so that makes it ok

[@robakajackflash]

Utter crooks. Interest rates were already going up, that is true. So even more reason to not gamble like they did.

[@mikewallace1723]

Same here! Lack of knowing reality , most who have pensions, outside of public sector, rely on markets. He had a big impact on my pension! The impact on mortgages still being felt today. Yes, not every mortgage holder is impacted immediately with fixes etc, but it has impacted many! Delusional

[@benjones3466]

Kwasi Kwarteng's attempt to launder his image has been farcical. Despite the fact that he was the Chancellor who implemented the most economically destructive budget in our history he has the gall to say "If it makes people feel better, I'll apologise" and then whines that he's called out for that not actually being an apology, but the transparent non-apology that children try to get away with before they know better. He clearly has nothing but contempt for the majority of the country that he's done actual harm to.

[@SomeRandomGuyOnYouTube]

"Most destructive budget in history" is typical of the hysterical (and tendentious) hyperbole surrounding this event. Any economic historian in future looking at the graphs and stats of the UK economy in the early 2020s will, if they look closely, notice a small blip in late 2022. That's all. If it truly was the most destructive budget in history then it is absolutely remarkable how quickly the economy recovered.

[@annphillips1086]

@@SomeRandomGuyOnKZbin Because of the immediate steps that were taken by grown-ups (and Jeremy Hunt) to try to mitigate if not reverse most of it.

[@CryWillus]

This guy and his idiot policies cost me £200 a month, and I got off lightly. He can shove his fake apology up his Tufton Street.

[@Skygrey2943]

His former boss made bank shorting the pound. It's no coincidence.

[@benjones3466]

@@SomeRandomGuyOnKZbin It's divorced from reality to think that the economy has recovered and the only reason we did not continue to spiral further is due to the also historically short government of Liz Truss and the reversal of any measures her budget was to introduce. We were literally warned that implementing these measures would result in a lowering of our credit rating, as it was after Brexit. Nevertheless we've been saddled with long term costs. Interest rates have only recently begun to come down slightly. Of course many things impact this, but if you were to actually look up some data instead of imagining what someone in the future will see, you will notice that in the autumn of 2022, when she made her budget, interest rates rose massively. Mortgages went out of control, as well as a cost of living crisis that has improved for some today, but still affects lower income workers. The estimated cost to our economy was £30bn. Which is why I can, with evidence, say that this was the most destructive budget in history. You have to be incredibly sheltered from all of the above effects to not recognise the harm that was done.

[@brian-937]

"if it makes you feel better I'll apologize". Absolutely incredible.

[@elvissgrandma3215]

That's when I couldn't stand to listen any more.

[@isabellewhite3505]

As limp as that half-apology was Truss, doesn't even come close to apologising as she still believes everyone else was/is wrong and she was right!!!! Both were inept

[@dianamincher6479]

He's like Africa's version of the Queen Mary?

[@dianamincher6479]

Most of the suitcases have been sacked for dishonesty?

[@pastyman001]

Arrogant and uncaring

[@Rich-on6fe]

He's not every politician who makes a mistake, he's the individual who royally fucced it up for everyone. And 'yes I feel regret' is not an apology in any way.

[@shadowside8433]

Regret for himself?

[@weswheel4834]

I loved the bit where he told us how brilliant all the candidates for the Tory leadership are. That bit was very funny.

[@isabellewhite3505]

He isn't finished with politics, although for now, politics has dumped him. I believe he's keeping his options open to be recalled into the fold......

[@stevelondonse23]

So, his judgement hasn't improved.

[@chrispalmer7893]

I’m still reeling from his praising Truss for her “insight”

[@isabellewhite3505]

@@chrispalmer7893 .. OMG, lol. Dumb and Dumber

[@terencerowberry2444]

I thought it was hilarious 😂

[@mjwilliamsb2676]

I shall be forever grateful that Sunak called the election when he did, sparing us another half a year of that ghasty government.

[@stephfoxwell4620]

What a complete and utter grotesque. Where do they find these people? It is quite extraordinary.

[@SuezWSuezW]

It's very instructive - the kinds of people that were left in your Parliament after Johnson culled anyone who wasn't prepared to grovel to him. There's an interview on The Rest is Politics with David Davies. He's even worse than Kwarteng. People should pay attention to their politics because it attracts (or makes) nutjobs who can do real harm.

[@garyreynolds5733]

Eton College

[@ScepticalBrit]

Kwarteng "it was a narrow group of people whose mortgages were affected" 😂😂😂😂😂😂 DELUDED even in defeat!!!!!!

[@blazzz13]

He's not wrong though- Tories like him and their donors own multiple properties and don't live the reality of their economic decisions. To think it took 14 years for people to realise this is more astounding.

[@Cubeforc3]

Yeah the narrow group being people of working age. We've got to remember that the Tories only stand for the ultra-wealthy and the retired, so us plebs under 65 don't really take up much of their thoughts.

[@dianamincher6479]

Kwasi is directionless and without instruments?

[@Ulleskelf]

"I know Nigel, he's a friend." - say no more

[@mickeypye2593]

" Nigel uses me for tokenism and I allow him to "... What a wab...

[@skyepalmer5719]

​@@mickeypye2593As a black woman, i agree😂😂

[@mickeypye2593]

@@skyepalmer5719 the man beggar's belief. Why does anyone sell themselves and more importantly ? Their soul... So cheaply ???

[@joeshmoe0136]

A wanab at that😂 Tokens get spent

[@jackjude]

_Some of Nigel's best friends are black_

[@davidf2281]

The way he talks as if he's a wise old sage is the thing that does my head in, while simultaneously speaking as if his recent actions never happened and he's still waiting to be given his chance. Astounding.

[@matthewframpton8737]

Kwasi Kwarteng, as usual, comes off as a very well educated, well-spoken, and civil person. However, as usual I think his judgements, analysis and world view is utterly wrong and his inability to recognise his personal failings around the Liz Truss experiment is still really pitiful.

[@Red1Green2Blue3]

He says utterly reprehensible things and behaves in a way apathetic to the suffering he's caused but does it in a civil manner. People should really stop giving this man airtime.

[@markmoran916]

He is utterly clueless about economics despite pretending he is an expert…..lets me this clear…..he studied economic history not economics and having studied both myself in the past they aren’t linked

[@davidf2281]

He seems absolutely delusional in the exact same way he says Truss is delusional. Infuriating.

[@SuezWSuezW]

@@davidf2281 Hmm, I'd say he's sane, but wrong. Her?

[@Canwepleasehavefun1]

@@matthewframpton8737 educated but still an idiot in so many ways

[@clivedavies5618]

Matthew Parris said of Truss : "A pIanet sized mass of ambition teetering on a pinhead of a poIiticaI brain" She and Kwarteng were weII matched as far as vanity is concerned.

[@nicolebanda6445]

Astounding that given what occurred on Jan 6th alone that he would vote for Trump. Truly astounding.

[@bradwhiteuk]

That fact that Kwarteng would be voting for Trump says all you need to know about his lack of judgement.

[@Monklane79]

It wasn't just what he said as chancellor, it was the incredible high-handedness of the way he said it. "I'm right. You're all wrong". And we all know how that worked out.

[@ianbanks3016]

Why is this disastrous, arrogant, political non entity still being given air time?

[@dwkay103]

@@ianbanks3016 my point entirely. Why?

[@johnking5174]

It is summer season, and they have not got much to talk about until parliament is back in September, so get on anyone who can fill a show.

[@MarkJKLawrence]

He's the gift that keep on giving.

[@dwkay103]

@@johnking5174 yes, it is not called the silly season for nothing!

[@annphillips1086]

To satisfy our curiosity! At least that's why I watched it. I'm not sure it has...

[@tonycomley]

Imagine if a mechanic talked like that after busting your cam-shaft: "While it IS true that mistakes were made I like to think that we, as mechanics, you know... take the rough with the smooth and work hard to deliver, as I say, not just a comprehensive solution but one that is, you know... Going forward... best for, not just the car per-se but a whole range of vehicles and that you, the owner, can take this as an opportunity to grow and learn".

[@aweescotsdog8358]

And let’s just wait and see if the cam-shaft gets better after a while, perhaps by December.

[@mogzybuster]

Please please please stop giving these people air time, the UK endured 14 years of them, narcissistic, self serving and utterly irresponsible, credentials that should have made every one of them unfit for office. Why do we have to endure them out of office? Enough already.

[@Canwepleasehavefun1]

What an amazing non apology. "if it makes you feel better I'll apologize". The arrogance. And Trump is mentally deranged but I'd still vote for him. These people are just the worst

[@Mil-w6d]

Dreadful people

[@gullygullible9774]

Well said if

[@isabellewhite3505]

Both comments depict his personality: arrogant, disingenuous & a has-been in politics (hopefully, permanently)

[@gullygullible9774]

@@isabellewhite3505 Nasty piece of work

[@Canwepleasehavefun1]

@@isabellewhite3505 can you imagine conceding that Trump is mentally unwell and in the next breath admitting you'd vote for him. The cognitive dissonance.

[@zoesouber6465]

He should apologise sincerely because my mortgage has gone up 33% and I lie awake worrying about it most nights. Ive got another 21 months of worry ahead.

[@quincynufc]

Unfortunately he doesn't care. It's STILL literally all about him. Talk about hubris.

[@simonscott1000]

I like towards the end when he says that the number of people affected by their incompetence was relatively small and nothing to be worried about. Breathtaking arrogance, and the Tories wonder why they were crushed in the election.

[@ukzandd]

Why is he still being given any sort of air time or platform to spout his nonsense !!

[@sarcasticstartrek7719]

because we clicked on it.

[@greghill7759]

Mr Kwarteng's decision to hitch his wagon to Ms Truss's fallen star was an utter disaster on every conceivable level. I doubt either of them will be remembered for anything else.... But they will definitely be remembered.

[@GellyBake]

what a fascinating demonstration of mental gymnastics by Kwasi, thanks Jon :)

[@EdwardLindon]

KK comes across as a genial fellow and utterly blunt tool. His obliviousness is breathtaking. In a politician and "leader", I'd rather rough edges and some degree of incisiveness.

[@orlagibbons9148]

That he's friends with Farage and backs Badenoch tells you everything about his lack of political judgement.

[@JoshClare]

Somehow this in places feels more offensive than the nonsense Liz Truss is still coming out with. The line which summed it up for me was “The episode of the mini budget that I was involved in…” - erm…you weren’t “involved” in it like a passive participant, you were the Chancellor - it was in your name. Incredible.

[@lellyparker]

With power comes responsibility. Stop passing the buck.

[@bubsybrown8308]

He made his mates millions, he doesn't feel bad in the slightest

[@edmurth]

Well this helped me understand how he was capable of dogmatically making terrible decisions even when the grown ups were telling him and the lettuce reality.

[@pokerformuppets]

Oh my, that "apology" was like a seven-year-old saying "so-REE then". Then there was the complete disconnect with how John reacted to his response about Farage. And to cap it all off, the Trump business. This interview told me a lot about the man.

[@jackcole3146]

It just reminds you how ghastly the last Tory government was

[@matthewmoore6647]

Why are these two not facing criminal charges?

[@chrispalmer7893]

I’m reminded of what Lewis said about Trump and Musk. How could Kwarteng possibly think he’s coming across well in interviews like this? The arrogance that caused his and Truss’s downfall is so clearly displayed it demonstrates a staggering lack of self-awareness.

[@amandahughes3754]

OMG! He's learned nothing. Just as bad as Truss!!!

[@SuezWSuezW]

"Never explain, never apologise!"

[@andrewelliott1939]

I have seen some reluctant, feeble, insincerely political apologies in my time, but that was one of the most crass. Absolutely no contrition whatsoever!

[@nikoforu]

Kwasi Kwarteng is an African hero. His budget did more damage to the UK than any other decolonizing effort from Africa ever could. A stab right to the heart of British empire. And instead of running away and seeking asylum somewhere else, he stays put, trying to regain the trust of a gullible British public on the off chance he might be given the opportunity to stab the enemy again.

[@alexhuxley3355]

He and Liz are just a political anecdotes like finding a DVD of a movie you never liked in the SALE bin at Tescos for 50p. This is someone history and myself want to forget.

[@jasonchaplin1]

His arrogance is breathtaking.

[@andrewolgado6018]

An apology is not going to be enough. They were warned what they were doing would be damaging and what they did was get rid of doomsayers and bypassed OBR. Pretty much what they did with Brexit, COVID response and everything else they were involved in. Incompetence compounded on incompetence pretty much sums up the Tories.

[@elroque6863]

This guy is the biggest GOOFY, he still believed he could wait out that mini budget. He was willing to gamble the whole uk economy on his political career.

[@JamieJinBrown]

Fascinating interview. Wish you’d delved more into how the mini budget came about and why it was so disastrous - rather than just the fallout.

[@gordonclarkson2672]

Politicians, even former ones, almost always have a problem with apologising. They don't seem to realise that in the real world, most people recognise that apologising is often simply morally correct.

[@judithdavidson2356]

Kwarteng is unbelievably arrogant

[@niahays1042]

These people aren't concerned about our country. Clearly.

[@peterlinfield8707]

Self serving and definitely not serving the country. KK is an unpleasant hypocrite.

[@tom_123]

No more platform for this man. He needs to be forgotten. Get in the sea.

[@PaulGappyNorris]

My goodness…what a sleazeball..,what a surprise 🙄

[@PaulStargasm]

Doesn't understand what an apology is. Typical tory.

[@gordonwilson1631]

What the Tories really believe is all in Truss & Co’s book “Britannia Unchained.” It’s just that those two said it out loud and acted on it. It’s all bizarre madness, a very dark view of human nature and an attempt at social engineering for the worst.

[@emilymarsden73]

He speaks of being a leader yet lacks the ability to truly reflect and be accountable - these are two of the qualities we must insist on to anyone we give per and responsibility to.

[@jimmyconnolly3461]

The ending of this makes me believe that the Tory party should dissolve. 🤦👍

[@SuezWSuezW]

Well, they'll never win from the extreme Right, so they will be in the wilderness, pining for Johnson's return.

[@theolddog5129]

I also don't see a future for the Conservative party in its current form. Labour have taken centre ground. The Conservative party should dissolve with the true conservatives (the centrists) joining Labour and the right wing of the party joining up with Reform. Through this the UK could end up with an absolutely solid centre party which would stay in power for a very long time and could reverse the decline of the lasy 15 years.

[@terencerowberry2444]

Fing

[@terencerowberry2444]

Fingers crossed.

[@syttt7925]

KK insists that Sunak apologise for the Tories being unprepared for a snap election - but is petulant when asked to apologise for his own behaviour in crashing the economy. These people should have their mental health checked before being allowed to run for office.

[@Ten_typ_na_sofie]

Not a shread of humility - for people like him intrest rates and wages are just abstract concepts. Perfect example of completely irresponsible Eton boy playing with people livelyhoods. That's why people have turned from Tories.

[@johnrichardsontraining1163]

He just reminds me of the fable of the French revolutionary who saw the crowd running past him and said, “There go my people. I must find out where they’re going and lead them there.” The mindset is simply about holding onto power.

[@garyholyhead]

Oh, he worked for Crispin Odey - what a surprise

[@Skygrey2943]

Who further enriched himself off the back of the pound losing value because of KKs mini budget.

[@aweescotsdog8358]

Crispin Odious as I prefer to call him.

[@philbooth5570]

Has the energy of an arrogant schoolboy.

[@jamesharvey6482]

The fact that he thinks it’s ok to vote for Trump says a lot about where politics is at these days. The correct answer is that he couldn’t vote for somebody with felony convictions and the plethora of other stuff that comes with trump. He actually says trump has major psychological problems but I’d vote for him. Explains a lot about his budget related decisions!

[@stevelondonse23]

UK interest rates have consistently been 0.75 - 1% above France and Germany since Truss and Kwarteng.

[@shelleyphilcox4743]

@stevelondose23 GDP Growth is better than Germany and France though. GDP per capita... that's yet another story. Truss was right to go for growth. However, underlying problems with LDIs are still not resolved and the BoE still appears to be shy about it's own actions. Do we in all fairness think the underlying weaknesses are the problem preventing a real programme for growth?

[@stevelondonse23]

@@shelleyphilcox4743 I was thinking more about what that extra 0.75-1% meant for people's mortgages. LDI's are really problematic, partly due to corporate greed and treating the taxpayer as an ATM. It's not the whole answer but any major infrastructure programme must avoid the PPI omnishambles of being so lucrative as to create a secondary PPI market and of saddling the public sector with ridiculous levels of debt. It is difficult to see how we could have an infrastructure boom without eye watering levels of public debt, at least in the short term. I am all for building infrastructure to help drive growth but with the consequences of Brexit on trade, Ukraine having already started and interest rates already rising, the economy was already foreseeably volatile and it was certainly not the time for Truss to announce such a far-reaching plan, particularly without OBR crunching the numbers.

[@stevelondonse23]

@@shelleyphilcox4743 I was thinking of people with mortgages.

[@jondexter1407]

Kamala Harris far left? Jeez 😂😂

[@Red1Green2Blue3]

It's parody at this point.

[@jondexter1407]

@@Red1Green2Blue3 ‘the stance she takes on culture war stuff’ you mean that people should be accepted for who they are, supported and that women should make their down decisions on their own reproductive care? I struggle to see how Kwasi and others on the right can find issue with that.

[@Red1Green2Blue3]

@@jondexter1407 Exactly. She doesn't even really take a vocal position in any "culture war" stuff 😂 she's a standard corporate federal-level democrat whose economic policy will probably be more conservative than the Tories 😂 You have people like Suella Braverman calling for the end of the 2 child limit, if Harris said that in the US she'd be called a communist 🤣 And as you said, her biggest policy, abortion, is a settled issue here and isn't viewed as right or left wing.

[@zonianfjb]

​@@jondexter1407"accepted for who they are" is just innuendo for transing children at this point. The left overreached and it can't stand that the rest of us noticed and hate it.

[@chrispalmer7893]

I was disappointed Jon didn’t push back on that one. It constantly amazes me that the right are allowed to throw that around. The assumption seems to be that because we have prominent far right politicians we must also have prominent far left politicians, but honestly in UK and US politics I’d struggle to name anyone who is genuinely far left.

[@geezergeezergeezer9509]

I wanted to listen, but I didn't last long. I want to hear from people with differing views than mine, but when they are so disingenuous as this man, I feel mental nausea and energy drain. Stop waffling and take some responsibility for gambling so foolishly with people's livelihoods for a misguided ideology.

[@PaulStargasm]

The thing is i don't think he doesn't do that because he's a grifter, i genuinely think he has a mental problem where he has complete social disconnect with the real world and real people. To suggest Truss can't read a room coming from his lips is laughable.

[@weswheel4834]

Wasn't me, it was the campaign!

[@richard9480]

Fascinating interview. Thank you.

[@mochan8447]

For fairness I think you need to interview the lettuce next! I’d watch it!

[@Taidgh17]

Why are we still seeing these people?

[@normasarsby1350]

Clearly irritated by the constant reminder that he was a terrible politician. Move along nothing to see here.

[@themoodyteam]

KK’s self-delusion is at Trumpian levels 🤯

[@Paddleposter62]

This is distilled arrogance and lack of self awareness.

[@kbrowne965]

Why is anyone asking this absolute chancer for his opinion on anything? What value is there in it?

[@MrAndyrevell]

This man's behaviour is one of the primary reasons why the tories were unelectable in 2024

[@YeahNoTellTheTruth]

Are you trying to down play the 14 years of damage? Do you think for example the roits just happened by chance? The fact the Tories are still the opposite is exactly what is wrong with this country. Just like how you think "behaviour" is the primary reasons why they were unelectable. It's quite sad the masses are this far on the scale of bad

[@Karen-bm3rj]

This disaster shouldn't be given any platform at all. He was just as much to blame as Liz UnTRUSStworthy was. They have both advocated for disaster free market capitalism and have plotted for years to try and implement it. They should be in jail for what they did, not being interviewed to glorify, deny, and give completely insincere, arrogant non-apologies.😠🤬😠

[@davidoconnell4100]

Ah the "I was just the chancellor" defence....lol

[@hendrix9087]

Well done for showing some positive humility. We have to admire you for that. Liz Truss should could certainly learn a thing or two from your example

[@bobnotcher7198]

People need to see this level of denial about Tory responsibility for the state of the economy. It’s shocking!

[@lylaclark3977]

Utterly !

[@philmayhem]

Still doesn’t get it does he, still absolutely tone deaf. I thought he was at least an intelligent man, but seemingly not intelligent enough to understand the consequences of what he and Lettuce did.

[@MorningtonCrescent]

The apology tour begins. Better late than never. Shame this concept is alien to Truss.

[@LabradorsAreGoodDogs]

It would have gone down a bit better if he'd actually apologised!

[@brianbrit481]

Very poor Sopel. You repeatedly let him cut in, ignore your questions & change the subject, and failed to hold his feet to the fire. Missed opportunity

[@matthewbeck7649]

That was a very petulant apology.

[@charmainepriestman915]

This man is insufferable arrogant wow

[@AH-te5gs]

No politics is not a game. Yet politics is "an odd game to enter."

[@PaulInPorirua]

He talks about hanging on to the New Year and how things might have appeared better - the insurance industry would have been bankrupt! They just do not get how inadequate they were.

[@stevelangridge1755]

KK is one of the most arrogant politicians of recent times.

[@marctonti53]

he considers himself a political commentator and says that harris is far left. ridiculous man!

[@minimalist279]

covert lefty.... if only

[@PistolPixel]

What a loathsome individual.

[@petersvillage7447]

Does this person really have anything useful to contribute beyond affirming what we already know of his character and judgement?

[@johnkirkpatrick7424]

No.

[@beandinner1262]

Not sure why this guy and Truss have any opinions worth hearing.

[@grantevans3389]

He sounds so much like Johnson. Is that Eton?

[@stevensutton4677]

Is Labour paying Kwarteng to do the media rounds? If so, their tactics are working.

[@SuezWSuezW]

"Nigel is a friend"? Oh. Next!

[@edblair929]

I literally cannot listen to him, I am shutting this off

[@trevcollier8587]

Sorry seems to be the hardest word.

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks for posting

[@dorothyb.]

Always interesting to hear ex MPs reflect and see what tone / position they take.

[@beyourselfbrave4115]

NOOO IT WAS A BIG GROUP OF PEOPLE, ALL THE PEOPLE THAT PURCHASED THEIR HOME WITH MORTGAGE!!!!😮

[@Mil-w6d]

I wish he would do up his shirt. He is dressed as a failed 70s pop star.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

I will not hear a word of criticism against seventies pop. Without punk there would have been no Dollar and David van Day might not have gone on to sell burgers and become a Conservative councillor until he recently narrowly lost his seat to Labour.

[@Mil-w6d]

😂

[@aweescotsdog8358]

@@eightiesmusic1984The Wombles too. Don’t forget them and their “Remember You’re A Womble”.

[@westcommonroom9737]

He has nothing to say of any importance. Nigel who?

[@ricesnot]

thanks kwasi I'm sure everyone's interested in what you have to say

[@hat9172]

So we can be sure to never elect him again.

[@dwnvwdjvn]

He completely "Kwartenged" the economy and massively ""Trussed" up!... of course he should apologise 🙄

[@lylaclark3977]

Very well said

[@RobMorrison-vf2is]

He displays the, "we know best" type of syndrome but that is bred into students at Eton. (Some of my family went to public school but they are nothing like Kwasi Kwarteng, they are quite normal considering the experience). The problem with people who have lived or live in a bubble is they are not cognizant of what is happening around them and the problems they are causing. Nigel is a friend (well at least he's got a few then) strange friend to have. Usually, narcissists like Farage who are opportunists don't usually have friends they only have hangers on. I don't think Kwasi comes across as an empathetic individual but that is hardly surprising.

[@iainb1577]

And he laughed at the Queens funeral! What a guy.