What I said at the Oxford Union | Populism debate

Oli Dugmore was speaking at the Oxford Union on the rise of populism and whether it threatens our democracies in a debate including former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
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[@LeeCharles90]

Poverty. The poorest pay the most for everything. Higher interest on loans, every single purchase …… every single item, product and services is taxed…….. the wealthy can claim all those taxes back……. The poorest can’t

[@sgordon8123]

Excellent point well made. It ought to be reversed.

[@andrewturnbull6144]

I'm sorry, but I couldn't take a word of that seriously without it beginning with "Love podcasts, hate nonces!!" 😅

[@Morning404]

*claps into mic*

[@williamsulman2646]

Love podcasts. Is that what they are calling these 🤣

[@zoranblackie5921]

@@williamsulman2646 Yet you insist on hate watching... its sad really

[@seanoneill9130]

@@williamsulman2646 No. It is a debate in a University, that's a place you can never go because of your low IQ and gullibility.

[@williamsulman2646]

@@zoranblackie5921 not for the video maker I've got the premium. In only here for the comments. I listened to a few. Not for me. Really easy bites on the comments section tho 😉 You just proved that 🤣

[@northwall9243]

Very well said Oli! Great speech.

[@RobotsAIFutures]

What?

[@ninjadudeofficial]

This is all I've seen of this debate but it's kinda funny seeing insider trading mentioned in front of Nancy Pelosi

[@evelbsstudio]

Just like sunaks government giving multi-million contract to a company his wife has shares in?

[@ninjadudeofficial]

@@evelbsstudioNot exactly the same no, but same issue of those in power thinking rules and standards don't apply to them

[@GerinoMorn]

My dearest Oli, a few-times-a-week medicine for the doomerism, can I implore you to write more of such speeches as a regular feature on the channel. We probably disagree at many points when it comes to details of how we'd like to see the world work, but the honesty, the undeniably charitable and inclusive mindset, and the skill in expressing difficult concepts is so hard to find in any media nowadays. Great showing, Comrade.

[@nomoreheroes93]

Oof that Petri dish analogy though 🔥 shivers

[@srobertson2798]

It is shame Nancy was on your side. You killed it and she was an incoherent mess.

[@ronanbot3000]

Wow Olly, just watched this at the pub over a pint. Very clear, concise and alarming. A natural orator you are, keep it up geeza

[@LeeCharles90]

The poorest also don’t get a police officer when they have been burgled……. And they also don’t get a security detail whenever they need protection…….. funded by the tax payer and given out as government contracts

[@doctordeej]

Can you imagine a world where politicians were not entitled to anything that wasn’t readily available to every single citizen in the country.

[@dannevirkenz]

Seriously though well done. Good to see the Oford University listening to proper people instead of just platforming controversial idiots. Nice tux. (ugmore, Oli Dugmore....

[@CeravvvEgan]

I didn’t know a debate opening speech could be interrupted with questions. I just learned something

[@pmewUK]

Fascinating. Nice work mate!

[@danmayberry1185]

Well done, Oli.

[@admiralpegasuscc]

OLI for Prime Minister

[@mattronixx]

Captivating! Well done!

[@sharfold]

So eloquently put, well done Oli, who would have thought the pub thug at the beginning of the Politics Joe podcast could scrub up so well!

[@carlitor4173]

Pelosi got absolutely embarrassed at this debate, spouting utter nonsense 😂

[@simplySY8]

Are u surprised?

[@carlitor4173]

@simplySY8 no, but its pretty eye opening for those who do not follow politics, I mean it's right in your face ridiculous hypocrisy that cannot be denied or defended, even by her own side

[@philvincent5660]

Absolutely great to see/hear you bringing such gravitas and highlighting some uncomfortable truths to a supposedly the brightest audience in the UK. More power to you, Olly. Gives great context to your Podcasts. Incidentally I saw Ava give a speech at the OU and was equally impressed that you can both impress at the Oxford venue and still have fun and games but no dilution of heartfelt political scrutiny. Hat off to you, Mr. Duggan for making my day just that little bit better.

[@alextyler9912]

Nice one Oli, well thought through & presented with confidence.

[@bernieburrows3731]

👏👏👏👏 Hear, hear.. Well done Oli. Where can we watch the full debate?

[@user-dt3iv5oc6f]

Type Winston Marshall

[@bernieburrows3731]

​@@user-dt3iv5oc6f Thank you👍

[@tronnyjeverton]

Legend Oli!

[@TheMutantProductions]

Good on you Oli

[@edmurth]

Couldn’t agree more.

[@marcswarbrick3392]

Very eloquent Oli! Brevity is a brilliant way to convey the seriousness of the situation.

[@wattbenj]

'Populism' is often just an abusive term cast upon the people who are the consequences of your policies.

[@davidjason1164]

Exactly that. These people are too wrapped up in their own self worth they cannot read between the lines

[@seraaron]

great speech!

[@Business101HQ]

Why didn't it start off with "love speeches, hate nonces??" Lost a couple people there I reckon... in all seriousness though, great job Oli

[@alexandercraven9361]

Well said.

[@sarat1325]

Brilliant! Mr Dugmore. I hope you got the votes.

[@adriftinaboat3452]

Brilliant Oli.

[@jimcorridan7245]

🔥Excellent Oli🔥

[@user-dt3iv5oc6f]

This was Winston Marshall’s debate , beautiful take down of Nancy pelosi 😂

[@A_Turner]

Didn’t pull out your copy of George Orwell’s 1984 and read the related excerpt. 3/10.

[@rickatatastan2695]

That jacket looks tight.

[@MrDJmarkyspider]

He basically just said "Populism is bad when it opposes me, and good when I like the things they advocate for.

[@nickblackshaw9660]

I enjoy Politics Joe and have enjoyed Oli Dugmore's speech here. However, the opportunity to draw a connection between the populists around in UK politics at the moment and the Oxford Union itself was missed. Johnson, Truss, Gove and Rees-Mogg all regularly attended the Oxford Union in their time at Oxford University (I'm also aware the Union is not officially affiliated with the University in any way). To paraphrase Oli's words how much of the elitism and entitlement these politician embody is a "symptom or caused" by the Oxford Union itself? The Oxford Union doesn't breed populism but it's relationship with the populists that have passed through its doors in their formative years is worth exploring.

[@danielcarroll4936]

Oli is all class.

[@roostah3575]

Like a frikkin Don, Ollie! ❤

[@Relisysification]

That was very well expressed, and genuinely walked the line of high level professionalism and one of the regular presenters of a Pisscast perfectly to appease both audiences for this content

[@smiler9028]

Bravo Ollie, really coherent points made. Enjoying seeing your growth as a political commentator.

[@sluglife9785]

We really are in the midst of a generational handover, aren't we. Wild.

[@3PointBeats]

Great writing Oli

[@benicolay]

Wonderfully-crafted speech and eloquently spoken. Great arguments and witty humour. You must be proud!

[@StephanDallaPria]

A pitch-fork-wielding mob doesn't just arrive out of nowhere. Some introspection is required, before things get ugly.

[@shoneyman]

Wow, what an absolutely amazing speech. First time I've seen Oli address a crowd, his public-speaking is amazing, so fluent and free=flowing. I'll bet he'd make for an awesome best-man, the speech would be the absolute highlight of the entire wedding!! Nice one 😀

[@MinecrafAnimator]

I feel like a proud mother watching oli here, well spoken!

[@alatty1426]

Wow this was impressive

[@warwicks2780]

11 minutes and 49 seconds is a bit long for a meme. Good content though :)

[@jeffsimon9594]

The left can't meme, full stop

[@victoriavelvet3689]

Thank you Olly!

[@GameDevAcademy]

Let me vote for Ollie!

[@theviennesecafe8537]

lovely, great, impressive, realistic and humble with wise words. well done! great speech!

[@PuzzledlifeTV]

when I saw the title of this podcast I thought it read "Poppadoms are a threat to western democracy" I was immediately interested and thought 30p lee was on the show. But, then I put my glasses on and saw the actual title and wrote this then left to go back to Ironing frogs in leotards to sell on ebay and listening to radio 4.

[@ftumschk]

Poppadoms _are_ a threat to democracy, though... that's what my naan always taught me.

[@vvwalker7261]

Completely overshadowed by Winston Marshal. I mean, who even knew this guy was at the debate

[@ChuffedDom]

Amazing speech

[@dangerforthebrain]

Beautifully put, looking dapper also Oli

[@dogkicker100]

western democracy whats that? ask sunak!

[@francesdoyle1508]

60 years ago....no, even 10 years ago, or at least before @BorisJohnson's tenure, some of this could have aligned with conservatism & Conservatism. Now, it's just too far right for us to stomach.

[@Hi-fd4cw]

Man cleans up well doesn’t he

[@TheBurdenOfHope]

Wowzers. That was a bit good wa’nt it?

[@robeagleR]

Excellent speech!

[@jeongbun2386]

👏👏👏

[@lukew4ll]

If your argument that populism is bad can be reduced to one of your examples as "until 50 years after it was made illegal, the public majority supported the Death Penalty" you have to explain BOTH why the Death Penalty is bad without referring to democracy AND why that reason supercedes majority support. You did neither. You essentially just said "Sometimes populism is good when it does things I agree with, but whenever that is not the case it is bad." So who or what decides a 'good' policy? Your whims, apparently. The purest form of authoritarianism available: that of the totalitarian ruler. This comes from an (overall) enjoyer of PoliticsJOE content, but who was thoroughly disappointed with this debate.

[@robred19]

The greatest challenge of our time, is climatic change - the problem with populism, the concept is tone-deaf to this challenge.

[@alimcmellon7130]

What is the 'Joe' part for?

[@awonisgreat9708]

Because he's just another average Joe

[@SketchyRob]

4:52 Insider trading, nice little dig at Nancy there, shame the camera didint pan over to her

[@darkhorse505]

You couldn’t have performed better Oli. That was well a great show of how to conduct a speech with passion, knowledge, and charisma. You captured the room and your points were constructed and purposeful and for that applaud. Room to debate some of your points made on LBC. They are as crocked as any mainstream outlet and they twist their narrative. Especially in the Gaza conflict. They are more establishment then Leading Britain’s Convocation. Also Kier Starmer is the establishment as well, and the closer we get to the general election the more right wing the Labour Party becomes, only recently welcoming a far right wing defector of the torrie party recently. Yet anyone who speaks out about the genocide in Gaza is cut loose. I believe in populism. The will of the people. But other than a spare few politicians in the US or in the UK. There has never been a true champion of the progressive movement. No champion of the people. They all mascirade as such. But then power corrupts and as soon as they can they fall in line with the establishment. The best example of this in the US is John Fetterman.

[@johnsmith-de9wv]

I give up!!! so should he ,If this new word populism can be used by whoever to explain their particular meaning of it then shall we use it as shorthand for ,As I see it, I would be castigated as a populist ,probably, as one who loves his country ,does not want to be part of big brother Europe will not be dragged, hopefully, by business large or small into the same ,but would sorrowfully seek life elsewhere if compelled by a lost vote , I feel that the trust put in various governments by the populace has been slowly eroded over my years,84 of them, I could not say why but hazard guesses ,Secretive administration and the misuse, with no comeback, of taxes must ber a huge part of that without putting a finger on it ,rather like hailing a bus in the desert, This conversation I believe is generated by hatred , cool heads are needed not the many blowhards and the spetsnatz intellectuals that aim to leave everybody but the robust deadon right behind!!

[@hyper_fn_al1459]

Populism: a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups. "the question is whether he will tone down his fiery populism now that he has joined the political establishment"

[@TheShortStory]

That is not _all_ that populism is, of course. Presenting such a narrow sliver of a definition doesn’t seem fair to the conversation

[@martywestywood6004]

Socialism' a term without a consensus definition, meaning different things to different people, but was typically used within a context of more power for workers in a system based on worker ownership of the means of production.

[@thegingerwon2795]

Insider Trading with Nancy in the room? Risky!

[@tomtom-gi9eo]

The irony or the Tyrony?

[@robertjsmith]

Will our armed services defend,Populism.?

[@bigboybaz2586]

An edit of every inhale pls

[@reverendroar]

Populism is the greatest challenge of human existence (politically). The climate of depression/stagflation, polarisation in politics and unfaithfulness/untrustworthiness in our communities caused two world wars, authoritarian regimes and militias (which were funded by the west) that eventually would use extreme interpretations of religion to justify their regimes. The threat is as high as it was in the 1920s and the 1910s - we all know what happened next…

[@superyachtchef]

🌟 I suspect you would accept an elevation to the House of Lords, but which version of you would you hope to present to us. 1. The #PoliticsJOE Oli, 2. The #LBC Oli, or 3. The hidden Oli, a desperately secretive ruling class, lacky in a robe of ermine. #factsmatter #datswatsup

[@El-Burrito]

Nice rhymes

[@mdshamsulhaque9169]

Make sure trillionaire me

[@IAmNeary]

Future in politics?

[@michaelrch]

I feel like the intended audience for this entire speech was Nancy Pelosi. Which is a very good use of the occasion.

[@TheWaveGoodbye-Music]

What's the bell?

[@paulhancock3791]

It denotes time spent. Each speaker gets a set time to speak. The bell signifies the end of their slot.

[@jim-es8qk]

technically, this is why we have the house of lords. It balances out the whims of the mob!! I'm not saying you're completely right or wrong. But we do have various things in place to stop silly things from happening. It is about balance. But the house of lords is hardly democratic, either is the civil service.

[@mathieuleader8601]

can people eat argar jelly?

[@alecgoodwin92]

You're flying low

[@akaski777]

Get Champagne 🍾 out

[@bobaverage]

Where meme?

[@AuroraStarstorm]

Well spoken but this only really describes how right wing populism is bad. Which, yeah, the bad sides populism is bad.

[@LimeyRedneck]

😲🤠💜

[@paulgibbons2320]

I'll lose all respect if you delete. I am happy to respectfully debate you anytime.

[@bfc2155]

What fuels populism?

[@jeffsimon9594]

Naive young trust-funded lefties like the one in the clip, for starters

[@LuisCarruthers]

Mainstream parties imposing mass migration on their people and transforming towns and cities by making them worse.

[@thepepper191]

How did you get that bullet cartridge through airport security 👀

[@spektr540hemi]

It was a case, empty and inert, NOT an actual complete and intact cartridge.

[@Tom_murray89]

However is populism popular

[@mikebg1984]

This the same oli?

[@chrisstones1249]

Brilliant, oli .👍

[@DannieGemz]

I have been attempting to raise the issue of populism since 2010 not just populism but what i call the pathway to right wing extremism and left wing extremism, right across the western world sadly our democracies have been highjacked on both sides, such polarization has never been so extreme. A lot of people seem to think though that populism is one direction in that it is only the threat of the far right but the far left is as dangerous. I am personally center left and i know many whom are center right with equal concern. Such extremes classing crush the voice of reason, the common sense choices and on top of that the world as a whole has never been so dangerous. Two examples of populism both sides are the likes of Donald Trump, current day conservative party (Suella Bravaman, kemi badenoch , Rishi Sunak , Lee Anderson, ironically most of those examples are from a colored background yet they spew racial hatred) here in the UK, what is happening in Spain and Ital for e.g as these people play on peoples fear often citing immigrants of foreigners as the enemy, with slogans such as 'They are stealing our jobs' , or 'Transgender people are dangerous and invading women's personal space, without understanding what genuine transgender people are all about'. Outright racism, sexism , homophobia , hate. Equally though on the extreme left is this new wave of cancel culture , if one does not conform to these extreme left views you are simply cancelled out, even within leftist institutions (as i state I'm center left but am not longer able to vote labour because of the fundamental shift to extreme left in half the part whilst the rest are acting as the old conservatives used to act). The sad reality is, is that it's clear for all to see and yet no one really wants to take any real action to protect the freedoms hard fought for in WW2. It is an exceptionally dangerous time right now. I am happy to at least see some of it has been debated in the Union, its always good that young people have the opportunity to speak up but also express fresh ideas. Sadly though Oli im a little disappointed you didn't really go into depth about the actual dangers with specific examples.

[@DJWESG1]

2010.. bit late mate.

[@sempressfi]

Don't disagree though I would expand a bit on the idea that it's both right and left. While there are some extreme leftists they are far less in number and the group who are typically labeled as far left are moreso authoritarian reactionaries than they are lefties. I also don't think "polarized" is the best term and political scientists here in the US are staying to reassess the idea that we are divided - basically, it's not that both sides have moved but Rather it's the right that has moved away from the rest and become radicalized to a point that those on the right who resisted are now forming coalition with the left/Dems (which further supports that it's not polarization since centrists and center right are being welcomed into the "tent") But either way, you mostly summed up my thoughts and observations. Regardless of the actual nuances, those who sell to destroy democracy &/or NATO are exploiting the tension and have vast networks to help. The arguments about whether or not we will be at war in 3-5 years have been making me want to shout because authoritarians (and especially Russia) have considered themselves at war with us for over a decade! We really need to wake up & get our sht together by working together to push back and build defenses

[@DannieGemz]

@@DJWESG1 i said since as in on-going implying still doing so in present day.

[@DannieGemz]

@@sempressfi Well thanks for your reply and your own opinion on the situation, i agree also with your sentiments for the most part. What i mean by both left and right, if we are talking numbers then ofc the far right is outnumbering the far left by a great deal. My point is and through my own observations, is that the far left or extreme left if you will can be equally if not more dangerous than the nastiest of far right groups, in that they use a different kind of insidious approach by cancelling out others that do not absolutely conform to there ideas, i'd be happy to give a number of examples but it's a bit messy here on the tube due to the comment box being so clustered, not sure if your part of any communities or such but do lemme know and i'd be happy to write further. The reason i used the term 'polarized' is because it has kinda become an issue of your either in this ultra leftist camp or ultra right wing camp, there doesn't seem to be any longer a middle ground. Often threats such as Russia to touch on your point of war go unasserted, the likes of Putin history has taught us they are nothing more than bullies, the sad reality is though unless one stands upto a bully they will continue to do the things they do. The war in Ukraine likely would never have occurred, if for two things, first the west should have taken immediate firm action on the first invasion of Crimea, Putin was clearly testing the Wests resolve in that matter and we utter failed and shown nothing but complacency which then gave him the incentive to push further. Second NATO has indeed expanded, and from the perspective of your every day Russian it could be perceived as encirclement and encroachment on traditional spheres of influence, especially the older generations whom lived in the Soviet years, this was then manipulated by Putin to give him a internal mandate / excuse if you will to invade Ukraine under the idea that NATO has encroached on Russia's sphere of influence. After the Cold War there was a kind of status quo, which was a fine balance between the West and Russia, this became de-stabilized when the afore mentioned expansion of NATO occurred which at the time wasn't needed as we had peace. Now China has built up slowly in the background and all are trying to outdo one another for supremacy over controlling the world agenda, something which traditionally America has done for years. Also take into account the many proxy wars between America and its allies including us here the UK vs Russia / China, good examples are the proxies Syria / Syrian rebels, Iran using the likes of Hamas whilst we use Israel (all be it the latter due to terror attack) but u know what i mean these super powers never directly fight one another or even engage in diplomacy much these days, instead opting for proxy wars and such. Sadly though it's becoming clear the time is near for a full blown world war and direct confrontation, probably between America and the Western Alliance / NATO vs the Axis of Russia/China/Iran and possibly satellite states such as North Korea. The politicians who represent the people seem intent on hurdling toward such aggression which is opening the door as well for these extreme right and left groups to take advantage. This is why i say there doesn't seem to be any reasoning any more no center / centralist outlook, either way it's terrifying to watch it slowly unfold.

[@SouthAfricaMintcompany]

From $7K to $45K that's the minimum range of profit return every week I thinks it's not a bad one for me, now I have enough to pay bills and take care of my family.

[@siobhan-rae]

who was Ollie debating?

[@DJWESG1]

Populism the greatest challenge of our time?? Mate..

[@jim-es8qk]

Why on earth do you keep supporting the SNP, then? Why is Scottish populism okay?

[@user-fv3ih8uo8o]

I thought the definition of populism is the a movement representing the interests of the masses, how then this could be a threat to democracy unless the definition of democracy changed to mean the interest of the elites

[@jim-es8qk]

technically, this is why we have the house of lords. It balances out the whims of the mob!!

[@johnb883]

Populism refers to the framing of the debate, not the genuine power dynamics at play between genuine elites and the rest of society. For example, Tories and Republicans claim to be the voice of "the people" working against the "elite", but at the same time they seek to erode human rights, workers rights and social safety nets in order to facilitate a massive transfer of wealth to the real elites. (Far right groups will also frame minorities - immigrants, refugees, trans people, religious minorities, etc. - as "the other", a threat to the purity of society, despite clearly being nothing of the sort.) Thus, we must distinguish between populism and the policies which genuinely improve the lives of the majority. (Depending on the success of a populist's narrative, populist policies may also be popular - but that doesn't mean they're inherently democratic. See e.g. Popper's paradox of tolerance.)

[@Varrus101]

The problem is: the masses are stupid. The government could appease the masses and turn this country into a walled nation. No one can come in but we can go to Spain of course. The problem is that should the UK become the totalitarian isolated from the world nation the uneducated majority want, there will be consequences. British made oranges don't taste as good and the masses would have to spend less time on pubs and more time filling up the massive job shortages. The masses will have to direct the blame for their life failures on a different voiceless minority. I heard the trans and disabled are now in trend to blame

[@shaun906]

ewwwwww get you in ya tux, but you still haven't had a shave though lol your a great journo btw!

[@williamsulman2646]

Can he use proper English though?

[@gHGhej]

​@williamsulman2646 I understood him fine, what ya talking about?

[@andymccann2716]

Trump 2024 or we're doomed