Sir John Major | Why Britain Should Remain in the EU | Oxford Union

[@myroseaccount]

I am not a Tory, but Major's story and background is pretty extraordinary. He didn't go to university. He was schooled in the hard commercial world of Banking and Finance after immediately leaving school.

[@rorysmith9382]

John Major is right. We need a strong united Europe for our geopolitical security. A weak and divided Europe could end up becoming a geopolitical playground for the superpowers, of India, China the USA, and Russia. With proxy wars, civil wars, imposed dictators. I love the USA but they might not be able to save us, from the tensions of superpowers taking us into battle against eachother. A weak and divided Europe will be ripe for plunder by non European superpowers.

[@dr-doctor-1992]

7 years on and it seems to be unfolding like you said. Europe has no voice of its own

[@eamonnsiocain6454]

Viewing this more than two years later, it seems rather prophetic.

[@thecrimsondragon9744]

And still now, it remains relevant.

[@larstenfaelt1859]

It's logic and anyone with basic macro or trade economics understood. The whole Brexit saga is like the emperors new clothes wher Sir John is the little boy not gaslight...

[@rmwtsou]

Britain, stiffen up that famous upper lip of yours and get to work. You don't need the E.U. or anyone else. Remember the days when the sun never set? You can do it again. Please have more faith in yourself.

[@cynic252]

LOL what a silly comment

[@CountZero78]

Will the Oxford Union invite a speaker from the Leave campaign? Better yet, a debate between the two sides?

[@joehoward3113]

+CountZero78 yes, they have had a few debates on the EU and Europe

[@CountZero78]

Joe Howard I am aware they have in the past will this happen in the run up to the 23rd June?

[@OxfordUnion]

+CountZero78 There will be a debate on this on Thursday 9th June, with the video being available shortly after.

[@CountZero78]

OxfordUnion Excellent I look forward to the debate :) But why is there no one from the Leave campaign having the floor like Major to make their case? (especially at such a close time to one of the most important referendums in the United Kingdom?)

[@brandogg974]

+CountZero78 because the elite and their children want us to stay in.

[@PC-lu3zf]

Now you see he was right look at the UK in late 2022 chaos.

[@taswariqbal2917]

John major is a mature sensible person he's was absolutely right in every decisions he made in his time as MP there was better justice everything was booming not like the clown's we have nowadays hope we can vote for people like John major

[@daftvader4218]

Oh yes....as Chancellor the ERM was a great success. ..

[@lunhil12]

The isolationists always pop up in difficult times, they are doing so here in the US led by the likes of Trump. To follow that path is to diminish as a world power and to retreat from all engagement in important matters that can not be avoided in any case.

[@ahmedbob423]

non-interventionism does not equal isolationism

[@_james_7480]

Europe has been in decline for the last decade and the Euro is on the brink of collapse. UK will be a safe haven for businesses and investors and good, hard working people who want to make a better life for themselves.

[@Whatever4690]

Let me guess a bernie supporter.

[@Gregsplays]

Regardless of who he supports, he's right, this does happen, in difficult times, people either want to run or fight, (fight or flight), the Remain seem to want to fight, while the leave campaign want to run, and there's nothing wrong with that, but it seriously hinders our national unity in times like this, and that ain't great, so people be strong, and vote for who you want (ps. don't be so salty, it's just politics)

[@Whatever4690]

Gregsplays Greg, the remain camp want to not risk it, the leave camp are the ones who think we should take a chance.

[@yasserishaque331]

Several (former) Prime Ministers have stated we ought to stay in EU ... These are people with real life EXPERIENCE of running a country, why would anyone chose to go against their experience, viewpoints and intellectual knowledge

[@nudisco300]

Because politicians lack integrity. Because of this their experience counts for nothing as we have seen time and time again politicians will put their self and vested interests before the people they are supposed to represent. You can't trust politicians. Life lesson number 1.

[@ronpeel1878]

l listened intently knowing his view would be different from mine on Europe. I listened wanting to see where I could agree with some things but I found none. It is obsurd that we could not get Europe to Co operate with sanctions on Iran unless we were in the EU. Why would that be the Case?

[@billrichmond6036]

Ron Peel diminished influence little island status

[@judgewest2000]

i'm still voting to leave - sovereignty trumps all

[@pinchermartyn3959]

judgewest2000 Totally.

[@mervinprone]

He tried. They didn’t listen.

[@jimmymyers8753]

He'll miss the Gravy Train !!

[@kreb7]

Farage will , that's why he start doing commercials about investing.

[@robertlangley1664]

Do we want foreigners making laws that we have to obey I don’t, we fought two wars to be free and now we are fee and that’s how we will stay

[@rustyrussell7456]

Thanks for convincing me to vote leave

[@bryangeake5826]

Why? Project Fear is now Project Now!!

[@paulbarrett7797]

OH DEAR THE GREY MANS BACK. MAJOR YOU WERE A DISASTER BACK IN THE DAY YOU STILL ARE.

[@PoliticalprisonUK]

Why is he not stood on of a gallows instead of here

[@nialltomy15]

+Capn Birdseye Why?

[@PoliticalprisonUK]

If you do not know why then lets hope you are not reading History

[@nialltomy15]

+Capn Birdseye What in particular does John Major deserve to be hung for? I have never encountered anyone who shares this view.

[@nialltomy15]

+Neil Mo Oh of course! I forgot about all the ethnic cleansing that he ordered to secure his power.

[@PoliticalprisonUK]

Maastricht Treaty= Traitor and the enemy of the British Constitution, and it,s Laws , not statutes ! LAWS

[@Truthseeker1515]

The UK could have been a EU leader but decided not to....Thatcher would never have pulled the UK out from the EEA. Total folly.

[@drPiotrNapieraa]

major small banker teach us of values :)

[@GlennKeeley-r5t]

So many more brown envelopes for politicians in the EU. People like Major cry themselves to sleep at all the bungs they could have had.😭😭😭😭😭

[@pinchermartyn3959]

Not looking much at this but I'd guess it'll be full of fear. Lacking imagination and vision.

[@steveanio]

BRING BACK OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY BEFORE ITS TO LATE. VOTE TO LEAVE.

[@maroondeuter8034]

When will Tony Blair be knighted or made a peer?

[@asimchillify]

+Nicholas Mitchell Probably never unless the Queen wants to give the British public any more reasons for the UK to become a republic. Although he did destroy John Major.

[@asimchillify]

***** Jimmy Saville was knighted.

[@charlescrisp2814]

Tony Blair does not deserve a knighthood in my opinion

[@jasonkingshott2971]

First thing first, a stretch in "life means life" prison cell?

[@theguvnor7467]

Utter drivel

[@johnobrien8398]

Old want is sticking his nose in again the House of Lords must be boring for him and his grey voice

[@brendadrumm9708]

He's from brikston bet he never left his house as a kid wimp

[@whoisme678]

11 billion we really need to keep rather than handing out. Another gravy train along soon

[@MrZenman2009]

John Major needs to demonstrate why heavy regulation is good for our economy. If he can successfully win that argument then I will give a bit more respect. Unfortunately for him, he's seems that he fails to understand how business growth is achieved. EU trade agreements are some of the worst in the world, why is this an argument to stay in?

[@starcon-ml7ix]

that because they circulate debts and they are arrogant - won't reform will be their undoing - so to survive they must - UK threatened them and still they ignore it - how will they reform in time ? - we have 2 weeks or less before article 50 is triggered - a petition is needed - we must sign it - to help our EU friends and us - as for Merkel mess, outside dangerous migrants - by the law of conventions that had become corrupt - we can still throw out criminals can't we?? so much factor - so little time - take a leap of faith people we won't crash if the Euro crashes because we have the £ John says- though we will have financial difficulties - because of Brexit - I hope the leaders in parlament and EU learn not to lie to people - Nigel Lied - get back in and save our EU friends please - fellow Brexit signed

[@mothermovementa]

We were not leading in europe it was just France and Germany making all the choices.

[@arthurdixon5890]

The media has a lot to answer for. It would be interesting to see how many “remain” speeches were broadcast in prime time. I can only remember Johnson & Gove and that NHS Bus.

[@timpalmer1983]

Is his trade argument correct, according to the "Brexit" movie india, Singapore, Switzerland and china's trade completely dwarfs our EU trade????

[@boum62]

John Major - the man who made the comment about how much the cost of cuppacino had gone up in France, a few days after our currency crash under the ERM

[@bryangeake5826]

But that's nonsense!!

[@daftvader4218]

@@bryangeake5826 That is why he was called Major Disaster. ..a Nigerian banker. ..

[@jcanyiam8309]

Thank YOU, LORD MAJOR!!! Stay Well

[@1DomBennett]

We must vote to leave the EU.

[@magallamadge1532]

Thank you John Major, you speak with Wisdom. So many comments made without understanding the facts is contributed.

[@jasonkingshott2971]

John Major and wisdom, now that does crack me up!!

[@nudisco300]

@@jasonkingshott2971 Come on now don't forget the cones hotline 🤣

[@barriewilliams4526]

BITTER. Half or a pint?

[@JoeyXII]

traitor

[@robbied2113]

30 minutes on the eu by the guy who brought you black Wednesday what are people clicking on this?

[@jasonkingshott2971]

Major is a total jerk!

[@cucumberbarfi9229]

Let me just point out that YOU clicked on it!

[@theone-nm2xu]

Major go back to sleep you sleepy john

[@honeybeebadger]

OK so uk gross payment to EU is £10 billion ..that's still too big

[@jamest5014]

Also, don't you love how he criticised emotive language and then did the same thing at the end

[@bigjazzer9888]

Yes this is the guy who signed the Maastricht treaty and when presented with a poll that said around 80/90% of the public were against joining the Union, said Ï don't much care for referendums

[@Gregsplays]

He made some amazing points about migration there

[@magicalsimmy]

I assume the case for the Leave campaign is going to be posted soon. A democratic decision cannot be made unless both sides of a voting issue are presented.

[@TheHanspeter8]

+Skeptical Simmy They had a debate on the topic already this is a different format where a single guest comes to speak about something dear to their heart but I assume that they will also invite a prominent represenative of the leave campaign because the issue is very controversial and there is a lot of vitriol as you can see by the downvotes on the video. I don't think they want to appear all to partisan and have the Farage mob descend upon their videos even more.

[@papi8659]

Uks best Prime Minister ever

[@deniseg-hill1730]

John major was a decent honest PM too nice for the right wing tories. The Brexit campaign was been a bunch of lies. 20.28 Spot on about divisions

[@paulanderson79]

I agree completely. I am a Labour member and supporter but I had a lot of time for Major. As you say, he had too much of a social conscience for the liking of the establishment. They wanted him out.

[@jasonkingshott2971]

You must be the most ill informed, or deluded person to take a breath in this world. Do some research into John Major.

[@paulanderson79]

@@jasonkingshott2971 I have. Do some research into Thatcher and May. And Cameron. And Blair.

[@paulanderson79]

@@jasonkingshott2971 What's Major ever done that was detrimental to The NHS?

[@jasonkingshott2971]

@@paulanderson79 I do not get your point, who is talking about the other people you mention??

[@RobDeManc]

Interpretation: Don't vote leave because the multinationals who pay me might not want to base themselves in the UK.

[@ajb229]

It is scary how accurate this seems now - it makes me regret backing Brexit.

[@TheSteelweasel]

i back britain not brexit . remain backed the EU not britain .

[@kundaigotore992]

You lost me at Russia

[@TheSteelweasel]

500 million people of which 80% live below poverty line. 50 million of them on benefits and you put them there john .

[@MrZenman2009]

The EU will die one way or another. The fact of the matter is that heavy regulation and bad trade agreements that exist between member states will eventually cripple the EU economy until it fails spectacularly. The empirical data shows 100% of the cases that heavy regulation causes a lack of competitiveness that eventually leads to economic stagnation. Whereas on the other hand, lower taxes and less regulations unlocks innovation and provides real growth. Britain in the 19th century was one of the least regulated economies in the world and it was because of this that the industrial revolution occurred. Contrast that to our record highest ere of regulation in the 1970's, a time when Britain was stagnating badly and was considered the sick man of Europe and you get a clear picture of how regulations effect the economic potential of a member state. Now the EU has progressively been increasing regulations bit by bit over the years and it has now reached an almighty record. Wherein, the same time the rate of growth has steadily decreased year by year to the point of stagnation. Now, how much credibility should we show to those who can not demonstrate simple reasoning and come to the conclusion that because the EU will not reform as it should, therefore any sensible nation should leave and quickly adapt its economic policy to escape disaster?

[@stuff2008]

This guy has a real Neville Chamberlain vibe. It was thought to be a disaster not to capitulate to Germany could have been a part of a unified europe then.

[@HRHooChicken]

I guess by John's logic, tiny independent Iceland is doomed.

[@konfunable]

How much industry, world rate banks, car manufacturers does Iceland have? :D Damn you Brexiters are morons.

[@bryangeake5826]

Iceland has almost no energy needs, tiny population and a huge marine resource they defended in the 70's, and Iceland has full access to the EEA!!!!!! Not a comparator at all! Like all Brexiteers your arguments are ill informed and specious!

[@bryangeake5826]

...and in the financial crash in 2009, Iceland was almost bankrupted!!! Without its peculiar advantages it would have!

[@HRHooChicken]

​@@bryangeake5826 Why tf are you commenting on this. We won, case closed. It's all history now lol

[@bryangeake5826]

@@HRHooChicken Your comment demonstrates that you do not understand what has happened!! Brexit is not over at all, as it has failed against every metric it promised, and it was not a 'war' it was a mistake, and now it is obvious that it was sold on a false narrative, Major was totally right! So, as we become the Sick Man of Europe for the second time, as despite world wide supply issues, we fall behind again, Brexit will, at some political cycle have to be re-considered! Its not 'history' as it is part of the mess we are now all in!!!

[@Iveraghboy]

2 years later Mr Major (2018) how say you now, on immigration, on security, look how many EU country's are turning towards fascism all because of open borders.

[@mwoxo]

Fascism? You mean Centrism.

[@bryangeake5826]

But that's nonsense!!

[@worthalook4870]

And we left 😀 well played Nigel Farage

[@gazof-the-north1980]

John Major had his palm (and his bum-hole) greased by Brussels......

[@swarthyjake4433]

years havnt been kind to "binky" major , poor old dear still thinks Maggie thatcher is PM .cant remember a thing since the falklands debarkle .

[@commonsense8871]

When he turns to the side i just see the spitting image of him and i just cannot take this man serious and as i look at this man i see the reason the tories went into decline after the brilliant margaret thatcher and that allowed the even worse Blair and Brown to even further diminish the prosperity of britain

[@slightlyvisible8448]

Canadian here. Go Brexit!! We are sovereign. Australia is sovereign. Britain should be sovereign too!

[@jasonkingshott2971]

@@seang2700 .....no, but both countries mentioned are........well sovereign.

[@GoldMario5500]

The Aussie are calling us let's do some bussiness

[@FlgOff044038]

A complete CAD.

[@leooostveen4435]

You might need that money on the health service now

[@davidlilley4637]

Let's start a debate about in or out as we only have days to go. Referendums are not democratic unless you consider that rule by the majority is democratic. On the contrary parliamentary democracy is rule by the best argument and a safe place for minorities. Mob rule, rule by the majority, is the tyranny of the majority over the minorities and parliamentary democracy differs because it is the one and only form of government that isn't tyranny. Vulgar democracy as espoused by the 99%ers or the OWS is the worst kind of totalitarianism. Parliamentary democracy is the place where the best argument can be released, heard and acted upon thanks to freedom of speech and freedom of the press. There can be no better governance than being ruled by the best argument.The EU is a club that looks after its members. We had to leave two other clubs to join the EEC club. The EU is not a place we want to be. Its contracting in its share of world's trade, has an ageing population, 10% unemployment, high QE, negative interest rates and first and foremost its anti free trade (a club). We are with Adam Smith. As long as your goods and services meet ISOs they should be freely tradable around the world.There are no economic, trade, jobs, security or "clubbiest" arguments for us to remain. Mentioning these things is throwing us off the scent. The only scent is that the EU is doing so badly that they all want to come here. They being the get on your bike, degree qualified, hard working, polite, good timekeeping, multilingual workers that employers prefer.Comments welcome.

[@davidlilley4637]

Please view Stephan Molyneux's KZbin THE TRUTH ABOUT BREXIT because it is loaded with numbers.

[@bryangeake5826]

...time has shown your estimation of the decaying EU was totally wrong, its growing far better than isolated UK! As for that referendum result, it was non-binding and advisory and was almost a dead heat and was no mandate for an almost No Deal Brexit that Leave promised would not happen. Major was 100% right in what he stated, as you say Parliament was where the decision should have occurred, I agree but FPTP leading to Binary Partisan politics of Left and Right it became a tool of party political survival, and Country second!

[@rafordy]

Who would take advice from the man who had an affair with Edwina Curry ?

[@billybobobenner]

Ex Prime Minister, John Major, makes a constructive argument for remaining in the EU, and rather than taking the time to rebut his position in a measured and thoughtful way, you resort to a lazy and tedious Ad Hominem attack on him, attempting to deflect from his argument and your own stupidity. You fail spectacularly on both counts. Idiot.

[@skeletoncrusader]

Where is John Major's top lip?

[@jasonkingshott2971]

Ask Edwina Currie

[@stayhappybetrue]

Word of wisdom but nobody listen to him but his words are coming true.. listening now British people

[@louisbanaszak3125]

whats in for me

[@justdrive4628]

JUST WANTED TO SAY HAHAHAHAHA BYE BYE EUROPE THANK GOD

[@bryangeake5826]

Xenophobia!

[@GoldMario5500]

@@bryangeake5826 Anglophobia!

[@bryangeake5826]

@@GoldMario5500 .......nope, I am of the view that Anglophobia exists as an excuse to evade responcibility for xenphobia, there was nothing Anglophobic about the EU or indeed myself, the UK is part of Europe and Anglo idenity is European!

[@loolfactorie]

arms dealer

[@Quakeowner]

Well said. Leaving would be total folly.

[@Whatever4690]

How brave of you.

[@starcon-ml7ix]

Less countries = less implosed effect and that a fact - it doesn't carry the deficits in one place

[@boum62]

Total folly for the multinational corporations

[@pinchermartyn3959]

Quakeowner No spirit of adventure or reclaiming our Sovereignty?

[@davidlilley4637]

I would take issue with everything that John said. Our economy, jobs, borders and security would all be better off outside of the EU. I look forward to the Oxford Union debate on the 9th June and the coming televised debates. When you have a debate the viewer can see who won and who lost. And even if you made the wrong decision as to who won, the post debate analysis in the free press will maybe put you on the right track. This is only the second referendum in our history and hopefully the last. We don't want what Mill called "vulgar democracy" and Popper seconded the choice of the word "vulgar". We want parliamentary democracy with its freedom of speech, a free press and debate and scrutiny in the talking shop. We want sovereignty determined by the best argument. We also want trade to be governed by GATT where you can sell your goods and services around the world for no other reason than they meets ISO standards. The EU is first and foremost an opponent of free trade and as such its share of world trade is in massive decline.

[@bryangeake5826]

...events have proven him right and you wrong!

[@joeking1019]

Democratic vote = OUT

[@paulanderson79]

This was recorded and published over a month before the 2016 referendum.

[@IRMentat]

The best voiced and argued remain talk I have heard. Also the only good one io have found.

[@jasonkingshott2971]

"Best voiced argued" is hardly synonymous with one of the worst PM the UK has ever had. Forget Cameron, Major is to blame as anyone else for shipping off ancient UK laws and powers to an unelected organisation called the EU without any public consultation or referendum. Then along came the other two clowns Blair and Brown again no public consultation or referendum despite promises.

[@iansherriff6060]

John Major, actually forgot how boring this man was until now

[@U5ERunknown]

"Europe’s nations should be guided towards the superstate without their people understanding what is happening. This can be accomplished by successive steps, each disguised as having an economic purpose, but which will eventually and irreversibly lead to federation." Jean Monnet, one of the architects of the EU.

[@teresauk31]

Well that's been accomplished, but not by the EU. Steve Bannon/Cambridge Analytica/Dominic Cummings/neoliberalism/India/Brazil/Australia/France/USA/UK - and many more - are now all in the grip of the alt right, who are currently and gleefully exploiting the coronavirus crisis to kill off a large portion of the 'economically inactive' - and many other innocent bystanders. It's a global coup. Bannon got Trump elected; he and his backers are behind it. Do your research. Wake up.

[@rochatfrancois3646]

Qu'il est sage John Major ! Et les années ont prouvé qu'il a raison! Expérience et bon sens !

[@dermotological4486]

Knob!!!!!!

[@jacobbnjmn]

There have been plenty of debates in the media. No one so far has made the case to remain part of the EU so cogently as John Major has. Of course, he was helped in no small measure by the self evident facts supporting his argument, but he did brilliantly to marshal them so exquisitely on the day.

[@alextilson5809]

John Major, a old pompus puppet, leaving the EU is a good move, cast your mind back to the second ww2 Hitler dominated most of Europe and most of Europe crumbled to his army, and he wanted Britian, In some ways his legacy has come true Europe Germany, France, Belgum have formed the EU so he has wom his war and we are tied to Europe, Don't forget Britian was once a empire and ruled most of the world and it was the second world war which cost us our Empire because of Europe, for example if the second world war had never happened we would be the most powerful and prospers island in the world

[@4tnine]

Sir John Major should answer the question I posed in my KZbin video: Search for 'Was I right to vote for Brexit?'

[@nicolasviard2252]

A time when politicians were competent and responsible. Now we have Marjorie Taylor Greene, Giorgia Meloni and Jean-Luc Mélanchon all elected officials. Absolute decadence.

[@JohnVITW]

My dear fellow UK citizens, please note that the financial stability of the country, and of the EU, is the main underlying reason given by the media, politicians and businessmen as to why Britain should remain in the EU. I therefore ask, should financial stability come before truth, honesty, and the willingness to serve your people? Or should we sacrifice this for lies, deceit, and to come under leadership’s slavery. Is it that people would rather have people dictate to them and rule them, as long as they are fed, watered, and have a roof over their heads? Then you have become a mere automation, even a robot, and not a dignified human being. This was exactly the influence that Hitler had over his followers in Germany and look at the results of it. The EU is a Fascist Dictatorship, as it is the corporations who are controlling matters and funding politicians, and they are all being guided by the evil spiritual forces that they listen to. I cannot understand why people are just thinking about their own pockets, and do not care if they have their freedom and rights taken away, as they will have little power under this system to challenge major political decisions. I cannot understand why people would rather live under a system where they are just being told what to do, like children; to just get on with life, as we (the EU leaders) know what is best for you. Cannot many in the remain camp see that these leaders are acting like gods, and believe that they have the right to rule, and to say, and to do whatever they please without being challenged? Now that the true God has allowed for them to be challenged, can it not be seen that they do not like this? An honest and noble individual will, after pleading his case, accept the choice that another person makes, whether right or wrong, and stand aside and let them carry on with their decision. He will still be there to help and support if necessary. This is also the sign of true friend. Only an enemy will seek to make life harder for and to destroy the other person if they do not agree with their decision. All of these threats about making Britain suffer for leaving, and having dire consequences, is bullying and evil. And yet citizens want to remain with the leaders that make threats like this? What principles are you teaching your children then? That as long as you can get a job, and have a home, and food, and clothes, then you must do what your leaders are saying? This is how it was in the Dark Ages, when Roman Catholic priests controlled society, and the Feudal System was in place. Please do your own research and you will see that it is this same religious system that is behind the EU. Let me make it plain. Love gives free will, hatred seeks to crush it; Good people help and support and serve others, evil people are selfish, make life harder by increasing people's burdens, and seek not to save, but to destroy others. Destruction is also not just physical, it is also mental - men’s minds need to be free to be happy, not to be under oppression. I therefore plead with my fellow citizens - DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE SERFS, AND PRIZE YOUR GOD-GIVEN FREEDOM. For sure, Racism is not the underlying issue for many of us leave voters. It is the very issue that I have been writing about - the spirit and character of those who want people to stay in Europe. It is EVIL.

[@paulripley2178]

Total and utter nonsense.

[@hughfranklin3072]

This traitor is a fool.

[@silentmajority1533]

I looked at the arguements put forward by both sides before i made my decision. I voted leave. I ate some French cheese once and it gave me tummy ache.

[@shakthidhasan4544]

MrPrimeMinister, may i summarize in a way you could not - Brexit is lunacy.

[@grecosgreecedaz6026]

I like john but disagree with him on this

[@MariaSpooon]

Major, should go back into retirement. He should not be speaking in public just because he is bored of life or is running out of money.

[@MariaSpooon]

@@BrotherChad What truth are you privy to, then.

[@oldproji]

Under John Major's watch: In 1990 he signed us up to the ERM which was a complete and utter failure. Two years later: Chancellor Norman Lamont withdrew us from the ERM, raised base interest rates from 10% to 12%, then to 15%, and authorised the spending of billions of pounds to buy up the sterling being frantically sold on the currency markets. In 1992: The Maastricht Treaty was signed on February 7, 1992, by the leaders of 12 member nations (Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, France, Netherlands, West Germany, Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal and Spain). The treaty entered into force November 1, 1993. In effect the EEC that people had originally voted to join, an economic trading community, became political. The Maastricht Treaty ended the relationship we voted for in 1973 and we were thrown into a new political relationship. Had the Maastricht treaty not been signed, we wouldn't be having the Brexit conversation we are now having. John Major's opinions are not worth two penneth of snake shit and anyone trusting his political arguments will want their heads tested. As for Lamont? I was caught up in this interest rate scandal and never really recovered from it, losing most of my capital savings and struggling to keep my small business afloat as costs went through the roof and wages stagnated. (and watching dear friends who's small businesses also went to the wall), I would personally hang that man every year for the next 100 years and glady let the birds peck his remains. Lamont is a slimy garden slug who should not be taking up any space on this planet at all.

[@bryangeake5826]

We fell out of the ERM because we were not a strong enough economy to stay in!!! The fact was the EU was becoming a more successful bloc in economic terms than the currency of a 'half in' country that being the UK. If we had had the Euro the economy would have been more stable and had lower intertest rates for the period up to the financial crash of 2008 at least!

[@bryangeake5826]

The ERM was a failure for the UK not the rest of the EU; it merely demonstrated that the £ was too weak to stay within it, and we drained our foreign reserves trying to prop it us, our failure!! the Maastricht Treaty AMENDED the Treaty of Rome 1958 and that makes clear the EEC was a part of a process to a union, and the progressive political and economic integration of the EU members, read: "The Treaty of Rome, or EEC Treaty (officially the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community), brought about the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC), the best known of the European Communities (EC). The treaty was signed on 25 March 1957 by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany, and it came into force on 1 January 1958. Originally the "Treaty establishing the European Economic Community", and now continuing under the name "Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union", it remains one of the two most important treaties in what is now the European Union (EU). The treaty proposed the progressive reduction of customs duties and the establishment of a customs union. It proposed to create a single market for goods, labour, services, and capital across member states. It also proposed the creation of a Common Agriculture Policy, a Common Transport Policy and a European Social Fund and established the European Commission. The treaty has been amended on several occasions since 1957. The Maastricht Treaty of 1992 removed the word "economic" from the Treaty of Rome's official title, and in 2009, the Treaty of Lisbon renamed it the "Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union". Always more than a trade deal, we simply forgot what we signed up to!! Even Heath made it clear that the unified market was but one element of a European Community we were entering into in his Maison House speech in Jan 1973!!!!!!! Again, we simply forgot what he stated! Why? Nationalism, English Nationalism and fear and misunderstanding of consensus politics of the EU. We though, for some bazar reason that if we were not 'in charge' then we were being 'exploited' and by, heaven forbid, 'Johnny Foreigner'!!! Major has been proven right!! Totally!

[@wendysalter]

I guess he had to justify his role in this mess :(

[@bryangeake5826]

Nonsense!

[@sophiebeaumont1068]

John Major has presented the arguments well. UK going it alone will mean that the UK will be diminished. Wanting to be like Norway, Switzerland and Iceland means obeying EU laws relating to single market access but not being involved in EU decision making. UK should be inside EU and a leader of EU.

[@jasonkingshott2971]

John Major and doing anything well doesn't tend to go hand in hand. We used to hear things like "leading in Europe, at the top table" the truth is Britain and continental Europe are too culturally and politically different. The incumbent German Chancellor runs the.

[@daftvader4218]

No guts whimp....