TV DEBATE: Clashing With the Older Generation

[@kappasphere]

So Alex was upgraded from the guy who isn't allowed to finish a sentence to being the guy who isn't allowed to start a sentence

[@perpetualdios5505]

A win is a win...

[@KGS922]

Did you watch until the end? He said more towards the end.

[@kappasphere]

@@KGS922 You're right, I wrote the comment after hearing him get talked over a few times in the first half of the video, but he did manage to speak near the end

[@TomMAF4]

Pathetic isn't it. Host just lets the royal correspondant (spokesperson) prattle on and on and interrupt over and over again.

[@EnglishMike]

Alex's problem is that he isn't good enough at bloviating yet. :)

[@RogueAstro85]

I swear, British news can't have a young person on to give their arguments without also having on a bunch of old people to interrupt them.

[@VogtTD]

I was thinking the same thing

[@13shadowwolf]

No kidding, it's like they know their arguments are absolutely garbage and all they can do is "I'm older than you, I know better." and talk over the top of people.

[@maocharlisme]

​​@@13shadowwolf the little pat on the shoulder the dusty, old man gave Alex at the very end really is a testament to the prevailing, arrogantly condescending attitude of geriatics, which you so validly adress. 🤢 And that exact attitude serves as an outdated but awfully stubborn fundament beneath other institutionalized systems of power and tradition that are in the same upper echelon of condescendingly trampling commoners and the marginalized alike, such as monarchy and clergy! 🙄😠

[@Sam-bv7vk]

That's usually how panel news works, they get one reasonable person and one person to interrupt them (unless Piers Morgan is on, in which case he does the interrupting).

[@Omegon8536]

as it should do. what do young people know? fucking nothing.

[@htdhimsa]

Interesting debate. I wish alex had been part of it

[@roberhart]

That is the best way capture whatever that was supposed to me

[@SabrinaXe]

Lmaooo. Poor Alex always getting interrupted by big old saggy men

[@glowingdjxl5331]

At least he was able to uh

[@m.n.executor1902]

same

[@DariusKhan]

It got marginally better towards the end but was still abysmal. Could have been moderated a lot better.

[@w0ody16]

"I find it ironic that we look at public support for the monarchy when there's nothing democratic about it." You nailed it in that one response. Well done, Alex. 👏👏👏

[@LordEriolTolkien]

Only if you conflate 'Democracy' with 'the Public'. Monarchy has nothing to do with 'Democracy. And I would rather be subject to someone who takes their responsibility to Rule as life long sacred commission, rather than be at the mercy of midwit career political hacks elected by any number of idiots in 'the Public'. Bear in mind how stupid the average person is, and then remember about 1/2 'the People' are dumber than that; why would I want them deciding my political future? Democracy is a Lie and a Sham. Hail To The King

[@monkfishy6348]

We also don't elect the prime minister. So why do we look at public support for the PM?

[@w0ody16]

@@monkfishy6348 PM being appointed by a monarch needs to be changed.

[@Deleteyourself83]

@@monkfishy6348 We elect the pollical party. The political party elects their leader.

[@generaltom6850]

@@monkfishy6348 Because the PM is always the leader of the biggest party in parliament, which is elected by the people. The chancellor in Germany is also not elected, neither is the Prime Minister of France. Not being directly elected does not make it undemocratic. However both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor can be ousted.

[@greengandalf9116]

I love how Alex has become the default "young anti-monarchist" for the tv networks.

[@htpkey]

Out of all things Alex is known for, I didn't expect this specific topic would give him the most screentime on TV.

[@PastaSauce.]

@@htpkeywhat else is he known for? I only know him from royal chat on tv

[@htpkey]

@@PastaSauce. He is mostly known for his videos on Philosophy, Theology, Skepticism and Animal Rights activism.

[@jordanwhisson5407]

Anti-Dictator, not anti-monarchy that part is the utterly dishonest fair tale stuff

[@htpkey]

@@jordanwhisson5407 In these talks Alex has stated he's an anti-Monarchist. He is against these unelected individuals who accumulated most of their wealth through British Imperialism.

[@ToaPohatuNuva]

I'm truly astonished at the gentleman's lack of critical reasoning, and pretty embarrassed by how much he interrupted the other speakers on the segment. Alex's restraint is admirable.

[@gothicgolem2947]

Alex also interrupted people

[@MrYelly]

​@@gothicgolem2947Time stamp?

[@jazzman2516]

Very much so.

[@avatarmufasa3628]

@@gothicgolem2947 Nowhere near to the same degree. And plenty of the other individuals got their chance to say their piece. Alex showed an incredible amount of restraint and for the most part was quiet.

[@radojevici]

The spirit of stone knows best

[@L.I.T.H.I.U.M]

Alex, you can explicitly say "please, don't interrupt me" or "please let me finish". It works like magic. No one wants to be called out on being aggressive. Also, you should slow down your speech at times, emphasizing some words. It's another non-verbal signal that makes people think twice before interrupting you.

[@davedavy5406]

And also to speak with less upward inflection

[@mc_va]

I agree with you both, it's like he wanted to say as much as possible in a short amount of time 😮‍💨🧐🫠

[@chipsneak1348]

@@mc_vahe knew he’d only have a certain amount of time before Michael Cuntsworth butted in with emotion/nostalgia-based arguments again.

[@Lee-nl1tg]

I agree, slowing down his speach

[@chipsneak1348]

@@Lee-nl1tgand maybe checking the spelling?

[@poke_warrior]

Holy shit I'm 6 minutes in and this guy in the pink suit is so insufferable. The way he gets so close to Alex pointing his finger. The way he doesn't shut up and then demands that Alex give him "30 seconds to prove it to him". I commend Alex every time I see him speaking with these kinds of whackos.

[@M0N0T1C0L0URS]

A lot of older, educated British men are like this

[@damdampapa]

exact same feeling!

[@bubaks2]

Im two and a half minutes in and reading ur comment. Holy shit is right.

[@LiquidShivaz]

Yes agreed. Watching this segment makes me realise why people hate boomers so much

[@YY4Me133]

@@LiquidShivaz I'm not like that, and I'm a Boomer. Someday, it might be your turn to be the object of bigotry, for things that have nothing to do with you. It doesn't feel very good.

[@IanJAGreen]

This segment should be called “Old people get mad at sensible arguments.”

[@tbout7]

I feel pride and endearment that the younger guests are calm and respectful of others' turn to speak whilst being talked over multiple times in this interview. Respect to you both.

[@harrytowers1076]

The cheek of that old man to say “if you’ll give me 30 seconds” while he’d been blabbering for 5 minutes

[@mattyspaghetti449]

Alex fucking rules. Odd that mainstream media let's him on. I'll take it.

[@SloMoMonday]

I think the simple answer to "Why don't young people care about the monarchy?" is that they are trying to figure out if they can afford food, rent and heat at the same time this winter. The current uber wealthy and completely unelected political leader is also not helping that case.

[@MetalsirenIXI]

Exactly

[@gordonmorton7551]

Yet you all still use Amazon, Facebook, etc. Making the uber wealthy even wealthier. Then moaning about the Royal Family, smh.

[@JeskaiEye]

​@gordonmorton7551 "You claim to be an anti-monarchist, but live under a monarchy. Curious."

[@QuiveringEye]

​@@MetalsirenIXIIt is not hypocrisy; willingly giving someone my money in which I get a good or service is different than unwillingly giving my money for something I deem explicitly unvaluable.

[@gordonmorton7551]

@@JeskaiEye where did I say I was anti-monarchy. I'm openly pro-monarchy.

[@ArthKryst]

It pisses me off how Michael treats Alex like a child and not an adult. Alex is too respectful.

[@gothicgolem2947]

How does he treat him like that

[@StelBoy2008]

If I were Alex, I would not have been afraid to put my foot down against the guy’s bs.

[@ArthKryst]

@@StelBoy2008 I think Alex did the right thing by not acting out, he could easily spin the narrative that the younger generation is acting on emotion rather than rationale Also subscribed to your channel mate

[@ArthKryst]

@@gothicgolem2947 Cutting Alex off early on, then pointing his fingers on Alex, then tapping on his shoulders and back like a grandpa would to a young kid. I'm not saying he meant it disrespectfully but he did intend to treat Alex as a misguided kid and acted superior rather than listen to him.

[@alltheeasynamesweregone]

Alex played this fine. His approach was very much the same as his personality (quietly confident) sometimes you can achieve more by letting inconsistent ideologues speak until they contradict themselves.

[@AhmadSammy]

As someone who just had to “swear true allegiance to the King and his Heirs” in order to become a Canadian citizen, I am enthusiastically rooting for the youth in the UK to abolish the ridiculous monarchy

[@BarriosGroupie]

As a Brit, I'm embarrassed over this; unbelievable that this exists in 2023.

[@cromi4194]

Why? What is upsetting to you about it?

[@Omegon8536]

this is why we need to deny the youth that ability. they're stupid and incompetent and unfit to make important decisions.

[@lesscodetube]

As an expat brit living in the US, and looking to move to Canada, this is the main reason I won't be pursuing Canadian citizenship over simple residency. Natural-born UK citizens aren't even required to swear that oath, unless entering certain elected, civil service or judicial positions. Otherwise, the closest thing to that oath is the Scout Promise.

[@EziooAuditore]

@@cromi4194why would I swear allegiance to someone who has done nothing to earn that position? And who lives in immense wealth while most of their constituents have nowhere near any of that wealth? I wouldn’t want to be their friend, let alone swearing ALLEGIANCE and being subservient to them.

[@evanscolton8281]

Alex’s “looking down on us” joke was hilarious, and everyone’s reaction to it was also hilarious. He wasn’t even highlighting the assumption that heaven exists, just that as a Queen, she was always looking down in people. As an atheist, I appreciated it on both levels.

[@kieranharwood7186]

I initially thought it was an atheistic point, so I'm glad that he later got to expand on the point with his "highness" example when it was next his turn to get 5 words in amongst the rest of the people talking.

[@joemiller7082]

I literally laughed out loud. And the collective groan was fantastic.

[@jffrysith4365]

It was funny, but it did discredit his point because people often say looking down on us in a 'from heaven' light. So it makes it appear like his argument is based on meaningless jokes like that. [Do understand, I'm not saying this is my viewpoint of his argument, I genuinely believe the monarchy should not be a thing, because it could easily turn into a dictatorship etc. Just pointing out why making quick quips like this is actually a really bad thing when arguing unless everyone gets the joke (and some of them got really flustered by it.)]

[@joemiller7082]

@@jffrysith4365 it was sarcasm. It’s errant to presuppose sarcasm is used for a lack of argument.

[@wolframstahl1263]

I especially enjoyed the 4 seconds in this video where Alex was able to speak uninterrupted.

[@alamunez]

“We have a diminished chance of becoming a dictatorship, because we have one single person who needs to ratify all the bills.” This guy is a charicature, why is he on tv?

[@Agryphos]

Just wait until he hears about how you could make certain laws harder to overturn legally speaking instead of having some old codger as your one failsafe

[@hyrulehollowtitan9657]

@@AgryphosPassing reasonable reforms is like this guys Kryptonite

[@emmaf.1425]

As an Italian, I just want to point out that while Mussolini was ruling the country, not only we still had a King, but the King himself was the one that legitimized him, giving Mussolini the position of Prime minister...

[@hyrulehollowtitan9657]

@@emmaf.1425 hilariously tragic

[@monkfishy6348]

Okay but that's a literal fact. Without the Government having someone to answer to, we could get a dictatorship. It's all about checks and balances and Constitutional Monarchies have proven more stable over time and more resilient to corruption and dictatorship than Republics. Kids these days need to learn their history.

[@robinsteens4172]

4:12 In Belgium in the 1990 the Belgian king refused to sign the abortion law. The parliament was left with a problem: he has no right to refuse to sign it, but it needed to be signed. They questionably interpreted the constitution to deem the king "unfit to rule", giving the constitutional power of the king to the ministers. They quickly put their signature on the law and passed it, reinstating the king afterwards. The old guy's arguement does not hold up, but in fact shows how a king can completely paralyze parliament.

[@jhunt5578]

True. The monarchs powers are supposed to be entirely symbolic. So they have no power over government and nor should they. But that leaves the issue of our flimsy, haberdash constitution as being unprotected.

[@robertaylor9218]

@@jhunt5578the British monarch’s powers are not symbolic. They are very real, Liz just chose to sparsely use them so as to avoid public issues.

[@dig8634]

@fleurdanon Any adjustment would have the same problem. If he has the power to resist political change that he thinks is bad, then he is a roadblock to democracy, but if he doesn't have that power, he is worthless as a monarch. You basically want the monarch to have the power to resist political change *you* think is bad, with absolutely zero guarantee he would use the power for those things, and no guarantee he wouldn't use it for other things. If you could find a way to make the monarch only resist fascism and never resist anything else, you can just take the monarch out of the system, because whatever you have discovered does not require a human being with any agency. It would just be a law or something that works without human input

[@jhunt5578]

@@robertaylor9218 Then it's ridiculous that unelected heads of state hold any power over government

[@voxsvoxs4261]

Doesn't that show the opposite? The king wasn't able to prevent the parliament from passing the law. Also what do you mean has no right to refuse to sign the bill? The whole point of someone signing something is to demonstrate your personal approval.

[@-AxisA-]

I bursted in to laughing, when he started going on about "It's the best protection against extremism and dictatorship and I'll give you an example: In 1936..." 😂😂😂

[@adamdickinson2894]

"The king would've stopped the Holocaust by not signing off on it." 'What would happen if the king refused to sign a bill?' "Oh it would never happen" How can't he see the hypocrisy 😂😂🤦‍♂️

[@frankglynn8209]

​@@adamdickinson2894 What's even worse is he points out how poor a king Wilhelm 2 was, failing to realise the same type of monarch could come to power in the UK as well!

[@lrvogt1257]

Alex has learned extraordinary patience during his debates and interviews and never gets flustered. He knows the tactic of finishing one's sentence even when someone interrupts. Well done.

[@dcpwll]

"Every single act of parliament is not an act of parliament until it has the royal asset... until it has the King's signature on it. That is a very important backstop" "And what do you suppose would happen if the King decided not to sign off on a bill?" "Well he'd have to!" That's saved you 18 minutes.

[@Flexy59]

the only problem is: that isn't where they all agreed x) that's just where alex stopped getting a word in

[@keithparker1346]

I recall reading that the crown did not give assent to some bills which were regarding royal finances....but yeah they agree with everything. Look at Charles the eco warrior signing off stuff to do with fracking etc

[@gm2407]

It is also an act of theater. They always sound the monarch out before the white paper even makes it to the commons floor. To pretend otherwise is absurd. The whole point of the theater of assent is to show stability.

[@majorscrub2856]

If the monarch refuses they are removed, but then a new monarch needs to come in and be willing to sign the bill. If the bill is commonly popular that's an easy task. But if the majority of the population actively disagree with the bill, then that delay in seeing the bill passed would allow for enough shit to stir that it doesn't end up passing at all. It's not a good backstop, but it's better than nothing.

[@keithparker1346]

@@majorscrub2856 give an example of a monarch being removed

[@martymoo]

If only they gave you 30 seconds, Alex! You really had to fight to get a word in. Be bold because your words are worthy. More power to you, ally.

[@Flexy59]

69th like

[@tommyvictorbuch6960]

Imagine calling someone "your highness." I don't think I could bring myself to do it.

[@abrahammathew7028]

unless its in bed

[@yj9032]

What if it’s Snoop Dogg?

[@tommyvictorbuch6960]

😆@@abrahammathew7028

[@nobeliefisok9174]

@@yj9032 True

[@adb012]

I would not mind calling MJ "highness". I mean the dude is 6' 6".

[@celestialknight2339]

“Who else would you put on the golden carriage?” “I wouldn’t put them on a golden carriage, and I’d also make sure we can kick them out if they do something bad” 💀 LOL 💯 Perfect response

[@jimmygravitt1048]

That is the DUMBEST argument I have ever heard for the Monarchy. Because a king can stop atrocities? They can also COMMIT them.

[@StelBoy2008]

The “would you rather live in [democratic monarchy] or [undemocratic republic]?” question is one of the most flawed things I’ve ever heard from a monarchist/royalist.

[@hyrulehollowtitan9657]

“Would wanna live in place that is good despite the monarchy or a place that is terrible but happens to not have a monarchy”

[@deniedvalhalla]

Also, while I am admittedly ignorant about Lithuania's current political situation, I am under the impression Michael mentioned it merely out of prejudice against ex-soviet states

[@hyrulehollowtitan9657]

@@deniedvalhalla probably yeah

[@iwonthesitatebitch5315]

​@@deniedvalhallaAs a lithuanian any major problem we have has absolutely nothing to do with us not having a monarchy (on the contrary it would actually make them worse)

[@FuneFox]

​@@iwonthesitatebitch5315As a Polish person I can confirm, the last time our countries had a monarchy they disappeared for 200 years

[@jameskpolk9137]

Alex is like a young Hitchens. Pointing out the reliance on democratic polls to support the monarchy was very funny.

[@SabrinaXe]

Alex is like a machete cutting through everyone’s bullshit

[@gadda01]

Don’t be so mean, Alex doesn’t lie at all

[@falconeshield]

Okay calm down now

[@aroemaliuged4776]

Noo he isn’t Just as always a middle class fkwhit

[@theintelligentmilkjug944]

Yeah right he's way better than Hitchens.

[@starkillerx2020]

debates like these should prove that younger generational critical thinkers shouldnt be dismissed as if irrelevant

[@Omegon8536]

he's a kid. who gives a shit.

[@dakotameade1071]

I agree, but from a mindset that has been set since birth, they are completely socially programmed. So anything that is in opposition, is irrelevant, in their view.

[@valuerie]

"They called him Edward the Carresser, he *also* loved the ladies!" and we all know that makes a good guy

[@valuerie]

This guy LOVES to hear himself talk I can't watch this.

[@TheJMT2012]

He liked to eat and drink too :O

[@heresjonny666]

It's frustrating how royalists just CANNOT let people finish their points. I really wish you'd call them out on this more often.

[@jimmyjohnson1870]

Their arguments are emotional. They're based in pointless tradition, the aesthetics of royalty and a heeping helping of cherry picking their evidence in support of the institution. An argument in support of monarchy is about as rational as an argument in support of alternative medicine. The best you can hope for is a placebo.

[@majeedmamah7457]

Senior citizens holding a country back.

[@oneiroagent]

Not surprising

[@vincentdaniels2596]

Constantly.

[@Betleyman7853]

I'm 70 and I'm with Alex. Not all older people are conservative, with or without a C.

[@Based_Stuhlinger]

I'm conservative and republican!

[@Timetiger]

​@@Betleyman7853Definitely not all, but it is the older generations in general that tend to cling a little too heavily to what they knew even if the world has rightly moved past that, or wants to. Its only natural I guess, but people like you who embrace change when it is good despite no one liking the act of change when they are comfortable are the real heroes here. Kudos to you.

[@PianoDentist]

Michael wants to argue that most people kind of support the royal family, so it's democratically legitimate in some sense. When asked to formalize that by making them democratically accountable, he dismisses that. You can't have it both ways! Also, Alex if you borrowed Michaels jacket, it would match your shirt!

[@blessingsoutlaw]

I noticed that too…how coordinated they were.

[@davegold]

It isn't 'having it both ways'. If Republicans can attack the monarchy based on popular support then the swiftest rebuttal is also figures of popular support.

[@gothicgolem2947]

They don’t need to be democratically accountable

[@MrYelly]

​@@gothicgolem2947 "The people serve the monarch" How lovely medival of you. Cant wait untill you start blabbering about "primae noctae". 😂😂

[@Fractured_Unity]

@@davegoldPopular support isn’t an opinion poll conducted by the Telegraph, it’s a nationwide election held at regular intervals.

[@zerofaith]

All 60 seconds Alex was able to talk was great.

[@PeterBarkerMusic]

"Looking down on us, that's an interesting choice of words" had me dying ☠️

[@loser9336]

"if you gave me 30 seconds" we gave you the whole debate grandpa

[@aspire90medo1]

Alex is like a star of our generation and the best one to represent our way of thinking

[@jhunt5578]

I wouldn't go that far

[@anthonyparkinson5544]

He has entered the mainstream in a way that some others of his ilk haven't

[@paulcrick856]

It is nice you uploaded a debate you moderated. Like a good moderator you let the 4 people on the panel debate and didn't needlessly inject yourself in the middle.

[@grumpercat6850]

5:49 as a danish person i can promise you that our happiness does not come from our monarchy.

[@Stroopwafe1]

As a Dutch person who moved to Denmark, I concur. But at least the Danes like their smoking grandma. Us Dutch quite dislike our king, he went on to apologise to Indonesia for the horrible colonial past, and he fumbled his apology. During Covid, he went on a family vacation to Greece, as the rest of the country was told to stay inside

[@itsSebastianl0lz]

My favorite part was that he suggested that the king/emperor wouldn’t have signed off on it, so the holocaust would have never happened. OF COURSE HE WOULD HAVE. Look at every descendant or other influential person in Germany during that time. Everyone profited from the regime.

[@cerdic6305]

That and also 2 of the main 3 Axis powers in WW2 were monarchies, I think Emperor Hirohito might possibly have signed off on at least a couple of bad things

[@jimmyjohnson1870]

​​@@cerdic6305"Would you rather live in Denmark or Lituania?" Okay, well, would you rather live North or South Korea? And don't bullshit me and say they're democratic cus it's in the name. What kind of moron determines monarchy (as in hereditary dictatorship) by its aesthetics!? Bruh, his argument is such drivel, like those of all monarchists.

[@MrYelly]

Not to mention how Hitler short-circuited the democratic process in order to declare himself "Fuhrer". As a catholic and lone ruler of a historic empire, the monarchy may be the most apt comparison after all.

[@mushy470]

and the fact that british sleve owners were paid when slevery was abolished to make up for business losses. This was for years and only ended recently

[@saturationstation1446]

whats hilarious is there is publicly traceable investment in literally every fascist group on earth by that particular monarchy. and that particular monarchy made a certain person prime minister who also spoke word for word exactly the same things as hitler did and vehemently believed in eugenics. they also fully supported eugenics movements across the globe and heavily invested in slaughtering native americans and native australians. they are literally the most genocidal people to have ever lived. ffs they starved more people in india during ww2 than the total amount of europeans that died during the war.. they are bloodthirsty maniacs through and through. literally dont have the capacity to not try to kill billions of people for simply not being eurocentric.

[@davedavy5406]

5:35 And there it is. This guy has done it. He can't be beaten, and will never be topped. In his 30 seconds of 'proving' he has just done the single most extraordinary piece of cherry picking the world has ever seen.

[@CarlosRodriguez-dh7mm]

The Queen was as close to a benevolent monarch that you can get, and even she was corrupt. Monarchists confuse their luck regarding the recent monarchy with it's natural efficacy. Getting lucky once doesn't mean you always will

[@ccvv1119]

Exactly give India their jewels back it was taken from them under duress and they want it back!!!

[@onesquirrel2713]

Yep, exactly. That is the huge risk with monarchs or dictators. In theory a benevolent autocratic leader is sort of the best of all possible political systems, as long as it goes well. But if it doesen't, it goes usually wrong in a catastropic manner. If you have a bad prime minister or president, you wait 4 or so years and vote them out. They might do some damage, but usually not enough to completely destroy a country. If a dictator is bad, then people living under him might lose everything, including their lifes.

[@maocharlisme]

What exactly was so great about her?... quite frankly she always struck me as quite the serpentine, cold-blooded, dedain and hautain b¡tch, with consistingly a very chilling atmosphere about her that she would carry around. ❄😬❄🙅🏽‍♂️

[@UniDocs_Mahapushpa_Cyavana]

Actually in real life, malevolent 😈 dictatorships can be pretty effective. It just depends on the ruler's humility more than anything else. @@onesquirrel2713

[@jasondean88888]

My marriage proves your point every night.

[@TheRamblingsofBry]

I doubt it is as high as 37%. Not even us old ones want or care about a pointless king living in a castle, riding in a gold pram with a hat worth many millions of pounds... ridiculous situation.

[@M0N0T1C0L0URS]

37% and dropping year on year!

[@aosidh]

lmao literally how can the king do a bad job? he doesn't do anything. is it just avoiding scandal?

[@BeheadedKamikaze]

Exactly, the reason they said he was doing a "good job" is because he didn't do anything. So what are they even for?

[@alamunez]

“9/10, did not say anything overtly racist”

[@adventuresinunderpants]

King here (Charles) how dare you say I'm doing bugger all... I'll have your head on a stick for this. Bloody peasants.

[@dig8634]

@@alamunez "He hasn't done anything politically no no" is a fantastic way to admit there is a real risk of him doing something politically no no...

[@jimmyjohnson1870]

9/10. Didn't genocide the Indians or the Irish.

[@MrCyclist]

I am 78 and love Alex. We need more Alexes to voice reason upon us. I am an ex-Brit living in Canada and cannot wait to ditch the outdated monarchy for a reasonable democracy.

[@Fordnan]

Good luck!

[@nickrhodes9031]

When I was a child I looked on the royal family as being an anachronistic hangover that should be discarded, I am now in my 50's and my opinion has not changed

[@jimmyjohnson1870]

They say people become more conservative with age. Well I'm sure the former Spanish Republican exiles would to say a thing or two on that.

[@MrYelly]

Imagine being "ruled" by Schrodingers cat. Cant tell if its alive or dead, cant tell if its effective or utterly useless. But none of these ponderings lessen any of its inherent ridiculousness.

[@isxdist]

incredibly well put.

[@asagoldsmith3328]

Whichever is more convenient for the Tories to argue at any given time it would seem

[@Acinnn]

Like how they can be apolitical and in the same time inspirational figure heads to admire. The matter of issues of human well being that was made political issue they just can't be apolitical. If they would be actually apolitical they would have to be just soulless robots. The moment one realises they despise ot admire them... that means monarchy us political.

[@DominickRT44]

It takes a lot of patience to go on these programs despite always being interrupted every 5 seconds. They never let Alex talk

[@boombam5214]

I love how these programs invite young people on, just to allow people to constantly interrupt you, we are similar in age but I strive to operate at your level of patience.

[@g.s.1722]

They don’t let Alex speak because they’re scared he makes a fool of them with his intelligence

[@Lee-nl1tg]

Alex's dignified and respectful demeanor is a breath of fresh air

[@landonian1223]

the smirk the host had after alex's quip was too good "looking down on us... that's an interesting choice of words"

[@ionasmith1998]

“Looking down on us, that’s an interesting choice of words….” 😂😂😂 this guy I swear

[@aidansgarlato9347]

more like looking up

[@tgree8695]

as an australian i have never thought "thank god im in a monarchy" in fact i think that the governor general position nowadays in australia is an exaggerated and more extreme formality than the king in england.

[@Boss_Isaac]

Governor-General of Australia John Kerr in his capacity as the Queen's representative removed Prime Minister Goug Whitlam from office in 1975 and had the Parliament dissolved, yes? Something to do with Whitlam doing away the country's security agency partnering with the CIA over matters of surveillance.

[@newmedtner]

Same here in Canada. I audibly laughed when that guy commented on the Canadian response to watergate

[@gonx9906]

Is it australia in a monarchy thought? I mean, can we really say that a country is organized as a monarchy when the king or queen is in another country altogether?.

[@chisle25]

He's done very well. He's only asked for 40 something millions to refurbish his humble abode.

[@Naptosis]

"Please -Sir- peasants, can I have some more?" 🤲

[@aquatick1848]

😂

[@Bruhecc]

He wonderfully used the 3 seconds he was given. “Who would you put in the golden carriage?” “Well, I wouldnt put them in a golden carriage. And I would be sure to have the ability to vote them out if they did something egregious.”

[@Ploskkky]

"The King is the last defense agains extremism." I would call Britain's violent and oppressive rule over other countries pretty extreme. Ask the Indians, for example. How did "the king" protect them from British extremism over there?

[@jimmyjohnson1870]

"The Indians are a beastly people with a beastly religion." - Winstom Churchill on the Bengali Famine

[@pyrylehtonen-caponigro3198]

I wonder why the old guy didn't mention Finland, Ireland or Taiwan. Especially Finland and Ireland

[@niek024]

Or Germany vs United Kingdom.

[@MrYelly]

Ireland has been a republic since 1949, Finland since 1918. Taiwan is a special case for housing the former government of mainland China. I guess you could consider Xin Jinping as a monarch?

[@patrickchang9135]

@@MrYelly The "former" one being legitimate, of course. The CCP is an economically successful terrorist group

[@rust9542]

@@MrYelly Xin Jinping was elected, please stop pushing the narrative that Chinas some dictatorship, they have a pretty complicated democratic system.

[@KateeAngel]

@@MrYelly so what? all of that is irrelevant

[@po210]

I like how monarchists switch the argument between powerful and useless depending on how you argue against them. it's either powerful in which case we shouldn't have it, or useless in which case we don't need it. so pick a thing or two.

[@davegold]

That is a very one dimensional argument. The monarchy can be powerless in terms of legislation and powerful in terms of national identity (say). The US President also has different powers and usefulness in terms of national identity, legislation, justice, security, govenment services, etc.

[@Gandhi_Physique]

@@davegold The US president is more powerful than the monarchy from my understanding. There are 3 branches, the President being the head of the executive branch. But maybe that has some validity. Some argue even anime is political power, often referred to as "soft power."

[@po210]

​@@davegold The president of the US is a placeholder for a democratically elected official who doesn't add anything to the population as far as national identity is concerned. The monarch on the other hand is a heritable position.

[@MatthewNaro-i9v]

@@po210 the fact a president is elected by the people makes the case for their representing national identity stronger. When has anyone ever looked at a man in a crown and thought “they represent my interests as a citizen”?

[@SpadlR]

18:00 "When the republic has become corrupt in ancient Rome, they replaced it with a monarchy" omfg lol

[@Tom_Cruise_Missile]

It wasn't replaced it was torn the fuck down by petty tyrants XD

[@lidbass]

‘And what happened when the monarchy was corrupt?’ ‘Oh, they replaced that too!’ In other words, Mr Cole, neither system worked perfectly. But if we do get a choice, the republic was ever so slightly better for most of its citizens. For an educated man, you know a lot and understand very little. M

[@RaffieFaffie]

It wasn't a monarchy anyway it was the empire, when the Roman Kingdom became corrupt they replaced it with the republic

[@RaffieFaffie]

@@lidbassWell the Roman Empire when first starting out was actually better for its citizens and during the empire Rome reached its peak

[@matthewseymour6457]

17:44 "do you wear a tie" "I must have forgotten mine today" 😂😂😂

[@sebastian-benedictflore]

"'Looking down on us.' That's an interesting choice of words," works on so many levels. I'm not sure if you meant the double entendre but it was wonderful.

[@tevildo45]

I laugh when people say the royals work hard haha, cutting a few ribbons here and there. Give over!!

[@gizmo5601]

Yes, after arriving by helicopter, chauffeur driven limo, and back to their multi thousand estate before and grand country house for chef to make their dinner. It’s shameful, people like Andrew living the high life , partly paid for by tax payers or through generations of inherited wealth where no tax ever paid. One rule for thee, another for me.

[@hughiemg2]

Looking down on us... well done Alex you rivaled Douglas Murray with that one!

[@davidecarlassara8525]

Italian here: it's very ironic because in the mentioned book "il Gattopardo" by Lampedusa the famous phrase "to change everything in order to not change anything" is not expressed as a positive statement: it's the sentence of a sicilian nobleman that reassures that even with the italian unity under Turin, so with a massive political turnover, the sicilian noble families would retain their privileges, their wealth and their power to exploit the sicilian poorer classes. It's very weird to hear this famously bitter sentence quoted as a positive example for a monarch...

[@Lichenroc]

Italians have had republics for a long time since the Romans.

[@two-eyedjack]

changed the connotation in order not to change his shallow mindset

[@me_yessik]

Man, you are such a thoughtful person. Super on top of your arguments and quick on your toes. I would get so flustered with all of these people talking over each other, but you do a really good job of staying on point.

[@Caiyde]

"Shortly we'll speak to the podcaster and Republican, Alex O'Connor..." Will we? When?

[@FectacularSpail]

At first I was thinking there was some person speaking into the host's earpiece, saying, "Quick, interrupt Alex before he demolishes you with logic!" but it would take too long to say all of those words, so maybe they just had a button that makes a beep that means that. lol

[@jessicav123]

Keep doing what you’re doing Alex! Must be frustrating as all hell doing these interviews with pompous people that don’t let you speak and cut you off but keep it up, you’re amazing 💪🏻 Ugh that little pat on the shoulder “don’t worry about it” at the end was so disrespectful.

[@Mar-dk3mp]

See what this empty cult shity cult made those godrat do... Without God they lose their dignity and they need another God (which is human) and they ran any time they see his ass to kiss it. Thay why you can not respect them and you won't be like them. We real need better people and forget about this stupid generation and this empty cult called atheism which we have to put on the trash where it belong.

[@mandeepsuj1]

'Looking down on us. Thats interesting choice of words' lol

[@AFlyingCoconut]

"He liked eating and drinking, like all British people do!" - Comes off like an alien trying to pretend to be a human "They called him 'Edward the Caresser', he also liked the ladies" - I wonder if such trivial matters as 'age' or 'consent' were part of such a handsy King's standards

[@kieranharwood7186]

Yep... "He, like the rest of you, liked to consume food to survive. See how we are the same as humans..." Wow, did his other hobbies include breathing and moving his limbs? Such a terrible attempt at humanising.

[@wonderpeter5231]

ALEX. TAAAAAAAAAALK SLOOOOOOOOOWLYYYYY. That way the audience will pay attention to you, even if people talk over you.

[@justinhone4905]

The British-isms are gold. Good time Charlie had me rolling. Also that and Edward the caresser was part of the argument for monarchy? Amazing

[@phinks5368]

The host on the left looked STRESSED that whole discussion, especially at 8:12 😂😂

[@lucianajera8214]

Spent the whole video waiting for someone to allow Alex to speak without being interrupted

[@Musix4me-Clarinet]

The older gentlemen's schtick is to keep talking so you cannot make or defend your points. Curiously enough, I've never seen that technique mastered quite effectively as older English politician types. I am 55 years old, and American. I agree with the young guests. There is no need for a monarchy.

[@Bolha24X]

I have know almost nothing about monarchy but listening Alex in the las few years. I'm proud of this young man holding he's cool in this situation. I would have lost it for sure...

[@terminaro]

Who would have guessed the monarchist is an old man

[@manavkhatarkar9983]

That hitch-like cadence 😍

[@MoneySavingVideos]

The monarchy should go away. Its time is well past.

[@victorcaceres9603]

I am a senior and i resent all of the living fossils that think the good old days should go on forever. "The Monarchy suits the British temperament." As the British say, "what rubbish!". Calcification the brain and constipation, this one. He should have the presence of mind to look to his left and recognize three young Brits on his left clamoring for change. The Monarchy suits the British termperament of living fossils.

[@infinitedonuts]

As an American it’s still astonishes me that there are people in Britain still defending the monarchy. I mean, my country is not completely perfect by any means but at least we don’t have a monarchy. Keep fighting the good fight Alex.

[@Fordnan]

I think Americans can understand the reason if we point out the parallels with your second amendment. From the outside, it appears insane, but the vested interests ensure its continuation through control of the media.

[@jimmyjohnson1870]

It's times like this I understand why we (I'm Irish) fought a civil war over a treaty that'd force us to swear feilty to the king. I don't agree with it. We broke free despite it. I totally get the mindset though.

[@lizhughes2852]

🤬 Who's the man who thinks Charlie is setting me a moral example...? Alex, your patience and presence at these debates saves my sanity! Diolch!

[@jamescarruthers1967]

I had a great deal of respect for the late Queen Elizabeth in the same way I have respect for Sauron or the Demon Headmaster. Not necessarily a good person, but you have to admire the way they wore their human form.

[@mandeep3.14]

😂

[@two-eyedjack]

god it made me laugh so loud at 3am

[@MarechalVI]

I feel like it's quite a statement that some of these older people responded to "'Highness' is a relative term. Higher than what? Higher than you" with "Yeah, but like... suit ties and marriage ¯\_(ツ)_/¯." As if a piece of clothing or a legal bond with another person signifying your love for each other are both at all comparable with an institution based on a single family's allegedly pure and divinely-ordained blood qualifying them to rule over everybody else. Unfathomable.

[@soon3794]

I kept skipping forward to get to the part alex talks and the video finished. Here are all the parts where he is allowed to talk: Pretty comprehensive list ngl

[@steveymoon]

Bloody hell, Alex... You had far more patience than I would have had sitting next to that sentimental old fossil.

[@MagilldoYT]

You might need to take lessons on aggressive interruptions from Piers Morgan if you want to battle this interviewer and the old bloke lmao

[@bobon123]

Germany was a republic, Italy was a monarchy. Absolutely no difference, the king had to sign the laws promulged by the parliament - it was his role. The Schroedinger monarchy, completely irrelevant *and* absolutely crucial in the same sentence. Choose one ffs!

[@KateeAngel]

also, yeah the monarch can stop any law from passing, Liz actually blocked ones which would make information about her wealth public. So, monarchs are using that caveat in a selfish manner

[@issakabeer1535]

Yo bro I’m proud of you! I have followed your videos for a long time. I like your promotion of ethics

[@EoinJones]

Weird the way in these debates that they never mention Ireland, which has more or less the same constituency-based legislative system, but with a more proportional electoral system and no monarchy. And the electorate has not selected characters like Branson or Blair as head of state - it has selected a UN High Commissioner of Human Rights and a poet and sociologist.

[@Fordnan]

Yes, that would rather undermine their argument! Plus there is the factor of British exceptionalism to factor in. Heaven forfend we should learn anything from the Irish!

[@steveaustin4118]

I'm 60 years old and when Queen Elizabeth died I was all for scrapping the royals

[@jimmyjohnson1870]

I'm Irish and when Queen Elizabeth died I was all for scrapping with the royals.

[@zan6585]

I wish Alex would be more confrontational about these type of people that interrupt him, it's so annoying to let them continue to shoot over everyone else by not letting others articulate themselves.

[@grapetoad6595]

As if the guys starting position was: "We had a good king 100 years ago for seven years, and he was known for touching up women, what a lad!" What proof of success is that. And we have Andrew for that now Edit: "it's for a good example, it's for leadership" Andrew was a good example was he? They haven't led anyone for years.

[@jimvanlint8043]

That old saying, 'Empty vessels make the most noise,' applies here.

[@JimmyM.McGill]

I love Vince McMahons use of the word "exported" in place of imposed when talking about the commonwealth

[@kray97]

A king is kind of pointless in a democracy, isn't it? What exactly is his purpose, other than to remind us of a more primitive state of governance?

[@lmelior]

I once read an argument that essentially said a monarch would eliminate people like Trump from seeking leadership. Can you imagine Trump having to bow and kneel in front of a monarch, even if they don't have much if any political power? Dude literally shoved another world leader out of the way so he could be front and center. Now I'm not convinced that makes a monarchy worth it, but that bit struck me as a pretty strong argument.

[@ArthKryst]

​​@@lmeliorwhy wouldn't Trump take a knee to Queen Elizabeth if he could be Prime Minister? It's a misconception that Trump would not do it. He's a businessman, we businessmen will gladly bend our knee if we can see any form of gain from it. It's like praying to God or swearing on the Bible, absolutely useless, Trunp would do that in a heartbeat, why would he kneel in front of another human?

[@jimmyjohnson1870]

​@@ArthKrystI hate trump but I do respect how pragmatic he is.

[@thejavilobby]

😂😂😂 It's crazy that someone has to even defend why having a heredity ruler is bad idea.

[@BarriosGroupie]

I'm astounded it's as high as 37% for under 25s supporting the monarchy. I find the monarchy to be a dreary embarrassment compared to the rest of the world.

[@lionelbourgeois6445]

Alex, continue on your journey. You're doing a great job.

[@bradirv]

i LIVE for these interviews they have me in stitches every time

[@andyr.6126]

The old fella certainly likes the sound of his own voice. I doubt he listened to a single second of what anyone else said.