How Macron and Scholz Fell Out Over Ukraine 

Love this show as it has smart people having intelligent conversations without trying to dominate the other.

Good to hear you speaking so appreciatively about Willi Brandt

Wow, it's very strange to hear people on the internet who actually know what they are talking about. Great analysis guys!

It's one of the best talk shows in UK ❤

Very good Analysis from Alistair and Rory. Greetings from Germany.

Cameron is a beneficiary of 'by comparison' syndrome. The rapid rate of turnover at 10 Downing, following his departure, has gifted him a form of nostalgia not often associated with someone only eight years on - the last 'normal' leader before the circus arrived, as it were. If he were to become the next PM, or oppostion leader, it might at least give the impression that an adult was back in charge of the conservatives. This was exactly the thinking when Sunak brought him in to manage the foreign office, which worked. And if it worked in one post, there's no reason to suspect it wouldn't in another.

If you decided to discuss the Russian 'elections', then why didn't you read a bit on how it went? All this laughter and insensitive comments about people not protesting this time... Many people were taken to police stations, beaten, and got jail time for destroying their ballots or adding Navalny's name to the list of candidates. There were long lines and protests in front of Russia embassies abroad as well. Please, research the topic before discussing it.

It's such an interesting watch with Rory & Alastair, always learn lots and admire your discussions being on opposite sides of politics. 👏👍🏼

I love Rory Stewart.

Went on a school trip to London and met Christian wakeford MP and former labour mp james frith and i listen to your podcast regularly so i asked them if they actually know whatthey are voting for or do they just listen to the whips (christian is a whip) and they both agreed and so i seem to realise that half of what politicians are voting for they dont actually know. I listened to your green party mp interview on the train there which is what gave me the idea so thanks alot for this 👍

35:35 "Showbiz for ugly people" 😆🤣Alistair, you don't know how funny you are!

The sound is off today with echoes. Just a feedback for your sound team.

Let's call these things 'Show Elections' in the same way you have 'Show Trials'. A public spectacle which presents the illusion of justice.

Macron may be borderline insufferable but he's alternative in Le Pen would be beyond that and downright dangerous.

Very well explained and analysed.

I do think you rather nicely hit the nail on the head with that discussion on what 16-17 year old's want. It's very much the same for the 20-30 year olds I know. Ultimately, yes, everyone wants and expects good environmental policy - but I think what the media misses is that this election is literally about one thing; the economy and cost of living. Prices for young people are ridiculously high, we struggle to pay rent without living either miles outside of almost all major cities, or in a mould-infested single room in a shared house. Meanwhile, we all shop at Aldi to try and keep costs down, struggle to save for holidays, we can't go out clubbing or partying, it's too expensive. I make a decent enough salary at 26, but God - I just cannot save anything at all for my future. We are told over and over that to succeed in life you have to save and plan your financial future - but that vision is so utterly destroyed that we're now just struggling to enjoy our lives now, let alone save money for homes. I know nobody who has got a home below the age of 35 without inheritence money. Our future and our present financial position is untenable - that is ALL that young people care about, and it's why Labour will overwhelmingly win the young age bracket at the next election.

Lived until recently in Alsace and the people their have a major mistrust of Germany after being overrun several times.

Brilliant analysis, and I say that as a French (from Lorraine) of German descent and former political science student (many moons ago). I doff my beret to both of you.

I think Macron has also changed his tune, due to Russia meddling in Africa, which France views as its backyard.

The French and the Germans not getting on very well? Who ever heard of such a thing.

The fall of the Berlin Wall was due to the economic decline of the Soviet union (due in part to the Chernobyl disaster, Afghanistan and also the arms race with the west) and the liberalisation by Gorbachev. To say that Brandt being nice to the GDR had anything to do with it is historically ridiculous. The Warsaw pact defacto occupation of eastern Europe by the USSR could not continue without force and they were bankrupt by then.

I really enjoyed this show as @durthacht stated, "it has smart people having intelligent conversations without trying to dominate the other". It was also exceedingly informative and entertaining. Thank you! Just subscribed... :)

Great stuff as usual gentleman

But it is like the percentage that say they will vote Reform. How many are just intending a protest vote? How many voted Tory last time? How many voted Labour last time? I am not convinced they will get 15%, or that a Tory move to the far-right would get more than a third of that 15% to vote Tory.

I suppose the joy of only ever having had 6 PMs means you can constantly complain about the other team with no real critical eye for your own side

Russia elects its head of state, remind me what does the UK do

I think the title of this discussion is exaggerated. Macron generally makes very good efforts to understand situations & negotiate. If France says they're doing more than some suggest, they most probably are.

Germany’s attitude dates inevitably back to its past . Where is the money promised by America - it will be too late soon . Biden needs to get it through the Senate.

Rory and Alastair Thanks allot this was very informative thanks again 👍👍

What's happened is that East Germans are now in power, and they missed the years of rapprochement. In the West, WEU's understated diplomacy giving two fora where issues could be talked through at a fairly low level, the Assembly of Parliamentarians (the Foreign and Defence Select Committees) and the Council (the Civil Service Foreign and Defence Ministers and subordinates). During the Cold War, diplomacy outside the block was dysfunctional, thanks to the legacy of European Imperialism in the late 19th Century, itself a feature of the Industrial Revolution. However, as that faded into history and jaw-jaw proved itself at least temporarily greater than war-war, WEU came back into play, at a time when the economics involved became more relevant: I'd spotted the rust in the Iron Curtain in 78, and my thesis became ever more credible over the next decade as Russia found it harder and harder to dictate, to the point where they fractured internally. The thesis remains true, the buffer being that Russia isn't really an economy so much as a group of communities doing what they always have done, survive in despite of Government: whether they call themselves Boyars or Oligarchs makes little difference. The Russians, amazingly, did very little to deprogram the Nazis. Perhaps their systemic parity saw affinity in the Socialist half rather than the Nationalist half of National Socialism, but at the same time, the question is very much on the table, do we actually want to be married in the ever closer union to this? Not just in the Franco-German alignment, but in the older heritage of French ambition to dominate semantically, despite having come in in about tenth place in the Industrial Revolution, in direct consequence, versus the internal rifts in the idea of Hermanicism between Prussian Calvinism and Austrian Catholicism. The whys and wherefores are less important than where they go from here. The restart of a forum rather than a Directorate and an end to micromanaged economic meddling is becoming more and more pertinent, as we see the difficulties of a single economy composed of principalities with vastly different resources becoming ever harder to govern.

Just seen a video on Rory debating Hedgehogs in the commons when a minister. Very surreal what was that all about???😊

Once again a fascinating and thought-provoking discussion.

currently this show is the ONLY reason i come to youtube.

Very smart guys sitting in London thinking they are relevant and that they know what they are talking about. This is the embodiment of the problems that western culture is faced with.

I know this is a minor point but: I started at high school in 1977,my sons went to high schools, the school down the road from my house is a high school. We have schools called high schools in the U.K. and have done so since at least 1977. Grr.

There is no place for personal ego in Politics, you are there voted in to represent the peoples wishes.

Where do people write questions to? Is it only paid members?

Scholz's argument about Taurus is slightly misrepresented here. Taurus, he argues, has the capability of reaching Moscow from Ukraine. Cruise missiles send by France and the UK don't have that reach. To be sure, that the use of Taurus doesn't drag Germany into a war, he insists on keeping control of the missions. That can only be done with German soldiers on the ground, which would be a step too far for him.

Brilliant team 👬 guys blessings from Scotland ❤

Germany also suffers from hiding behind other countries regarding defence. It then tries to take a high ground. Sholtz also suffers from stalling to help, the eventually doing what he should have done from the start. He also tries to be a status quo-ist in a world were the status quo is more or less dead.

Rory, my mum called and she wants her sweater back!

I love the casual way ordinary folks are called far left or far right, or accused of supporting Putin, when all they wanted to know is why so much money is being sent to Ukraine when there are so many problems at hom. Perhaps if the Establishment types like your good selves had bothered to listen more to the concerns and aspirations of the electorate, BREXIT might not have happened.

Stormshadow/Scalp is have heard they/we are not supplying those later versions will greater ranges.

We need to update English dictionaries to replace the word “milquetoast” with “schulz.”

One of, another of, the Brexit downsides appears to be the French and Germans have to deal with each other without the possibility of British pragmatism to smooth those rough edges?

Mr. P was rumored to be in "special relationship" with a RU rhythmic gimnast.

You people get to vote, but see who you end up with running your government!

Germany worries me, this not wanting to 'provoke' Putin is self-defeating weakness in the face of a revanchist tyrant. This ambiguous position only emboldens Putin. I think Macron's statement about not ruling out NATO troops on the ground in Ukraine was a deliberate poke at both Putin and Scholz. He knew full well that is unlikely to happen but someone needs to stand up and call Putin's bluff.

Why doesn’t the UK have limits on political donations and spending the way other countries do? In Canada, I can donate a maximum of $1,700 per year to the a Federal party, and another $1700 to a year to a candidate or local association. And how does all this money get spent? I know the UK has the same sort of election spending limits we have in Canada.

Marcel talks!

What about Grand Duchess Maria Romanov as Empress under a restored Monarchy as a post Putin Head of State ?

not like the French and Germans to disagree.

Really interesting discussion thanks Now can you do emergency pod cast on Freeports SEZs what are they why is it so difficult to get information from government People that know about them hate them why You have the biggest audience the people of Britain need to know what is happening in Britain. Help please

So good these guys. France v Germany . France v England same same

aren't politicians supposed to promote hard feelings, instill the idea of conversation and debate and yes agree to disagree. Ultimately find a consensus based on current available information and known facts.

38:51 Honestly I find it soooo frustrating when society/media refer to biracial people as black. Why in this day in age are we still perpetuating the slavery principle of the one drop rule? I.e. all biracial people with one black parent are automatically black, and we relegate them to minority status. It completely infuriates me because socall progressive use this to celebrate achievements for black people, when it's not a genuine win. Moreover, it lulls society to think that when biracial people gain significant achievements on behalf of black people, we can tick historic moments off the list and that racism has been solved. I'm sorry I still think America has yet to see it's first black president, and I think the same about Wales. It is great to see people like Obama and Gething in significant leadership, and refering to them as biracial rather than black doesn't take away any of their achievements, apart from referring to them as being the first black president / first black first minister. These men served as necessary stepping stones until we see genuine black people in such leadership position.

Could you talk to Gary Stevenson please

It was Hof singing We are Looking fir Freedom

Global warming (or whatever the latest phrasing) is a priority within households for whom the cost of living is no longer a worry. In other words, it's a luxury concern.

Macron is very much a classic French thinker and centrist politician. He continues the French tradition of maintaining a leading military production industry to avoid a vassal like dependence on the USA, thus having a neuclear deterrent and producing modern fighter aircraft . Macron has evidently exausted diplomatic means to get Putin to back down and is now being far more decisive. Sholtz is a typical German pacifist Ost politik socialist who refuses to take the visibly leading role in the military supplies sense, though Germany is actually the second biggest by value supporter of Ukraine. Scholz maintains the traditional Germany an economic giant but a military dwarf.

For political party financing reform, check out the Canadian system (federal and provincial).

Is the central issue not that Ukraine are losing the war.

By the way, there has been talk of Putin's son becoming his successor. Not sure if he is his legitimate or illegitimate son from the Russian gymnast.

Maybe it’s because I’m from the US but the idea that you can be a right-wing trade unionist makes me wonder if the meaning of those terms has evolved beyond recognition 🤣

There are more French speakers in Congo than in Germany and definitely more than German speakers in France. So much for French German engine. Most of the time they wouuld have to speak English

A new hyphenated verb, "fell-out". Every day's a school day.

It was a lover's tff.

ADF are right , the US did blow the pipeline!

An election, procession or just another dictator doing what they know best. How do we help the people of Russia and such other countries realise that their system is corrupt.

Oh, the poor German lady whose grandfather was in Stalingrad. What on earth could he have been doing there? Working for whom? 🤔 These two clowns - Campbell and Stewart - sound so smart, smooth and well spoken. But they are purely propagandists by trade and they talk absolute crap!

I am wondering if this is a comedy show 😮😅😂🎉 Like we have a democratically election 😮😅😂🎉🎉🎉

Nothing on Leo? Nearest neighbours?

Why does Alastair keep pronouncing Putin as Pughtin.? Which is correct?

As the leading politics pod in the UK, can the guys get leaders of the Labour left and right on the show to debate the issues of the day. We, as the public, deserve to hear the two sides and the arguments for and against the policies that will end up ruling our lives?

India congratulating Russia is in line with their Foreign policy which is not to be dragged in to this US vs Russia conflict. They are looking out for their own interest. While the countries in the west have short memories, India remembers that the USA armed a terrorist state like Pakistan, and as a result India suffered the consequences through terrorist attacks. USSR/Russia has been an old ally of India. India is not going to harm itself to cosy up to the USA, when they know the USA are equally out for their own self-interest and are not some global benefactor.

WW1,WW2 and before

Old German saying: "Deutch und Fransozisch gehen nie zuzammen."

Macron is absolutely hilarious He is a dependable leader but he has such a Napoleon complex he would crown himself l'Empereur de France if given the chance

Probably two very divisive political figures from the past. But, for Christ sake always so interesting & knowledgeable. Admit to be addicted to this podcast.

I would have to slightly disagree with Rory here-there are MANY ppl in Britain who have understanding & experience of France & Germany & indeed many other European countries.. It`s a real shame that they seem to be invisible. I have lived & worked in France, Germany & Portugal-my dtr is half German & is trilingual [& Spanish] & my son is half Portuguese [tho identifies as a True Brit]. would be nice if all this expereince & knowledge could be used. I am a Francophile & use French in my work with French Groups as a Tour Guide.

@restispolitics: Ireland is catching up on the UK with 5 Taoisigh (PMs) since 2010. 😅

It would be very difficult to find anyone more uncharismatic, dull and bovine as Scholz as a leader.

France is already in a shooting war with Russia in the Sahel. They are losing control of much of Francafrique, which has been crucial to them over 50+ years, and is the source of much of their uranium (Niger) and oil (Gabon). Wagner Group troops are on the ground, now controlled more directly by Moscow.

This pair of pdf files are spouting nothing but bs

Just a quick question.... . After 14 years or Tory r government There are 6.9 Millions more Immigrants in the country 1.7 Millions in just the last 2 years And during all this time you said Immigration will be in the tens of thousands....!!!!! The national debt is 100% taxes are at a post war hugh it isnt safe to walk the streets anymore the RAF RN and army are discredited and broken the country has no boarders no security and no air defence we have no pride and no national feeling. So given all these indisputable Facts... Where was the Conservative government?? No wonder You 2 get on well 😅 Tony never left office And for you 2 talk about the hard right is unbelievable ... you don't know what that is 🤑 For a working family in Manchester Your internationalist policys have driven rent up from 780£ a month 2019 to 1260£ now For a 1 bed flat !!!!! What do you expect when you bring in another 2 Million people and dump them on top of our heads They take our jobs drive down wages increase unemployment take our houses .... And don't say something Stupid like we need 2 build more homes because its impossible... You can't build 3 new cities the size of Birmingham over the next 15 years to put all your Immigrants can you 750.000 homes a year for 15 years Jusr for the immigrants.....!!!! So tell me why .. Is it 1 you can't count .... 2 you hate us and want to see us suffer ? 3 you just don't care and want to line your own pockets because non of this will touch you in Chelsea!!!!!

Good luck european.... 🤞

hows Iraq?

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I find Alastair and Rory's incessant need to show off their French and German terminology a bit insufferable.

As Johann Gotfried Herder said, we are generated by the society which was affirmed by Marx materialist's dichotomy of economics. When Rory in his introduction poured scorn on Russia's election, he so much reminded me of Marx and Herder interpretation of our individual thought. Despite being intelligent, Rory is blinded by the general attitude of UK Society towards Russia. I would have expected this Campbell guy to make such a stupid remark as his entire thought is not intellectually oriented but power. I am also surprised that Rory can regard Tony Blair as a leftfist. Blair was an agent of neoliberalism hiding in the left....an agent provocateur as Thatcher admitted. As far as Putin win is concerned Rory, Putin did not need congratulations from imperialists. As a Kenyan who were colonised by the British, I find your attitude despicable. The old saying is true, you can kick an imperialist from the empire but you cannot remove imperialism from him. I am totally disappointed. I hear you Rory and Campbell...all congratulations to Putin from Africa and Global South don’t matter because we don't matter. Any wonder we are coalescing as a Global South. Perhaps you are not too intelligent after all and cannot ses the real problem.

At first i thought they both made sense. Learned many nuances of European politics. But had to stop watching after he took Modi and Zinpings name in single breath. You sir need to study more about India in general before making these loose comments, unless you making them intentionally, which I hope is not the case.

*SORRY* it’s a hard NO on the Hamburglar stripe pullover

Since when was Wales a European country? Isn't it an administrative region of the UK, same as England, Scotland, and the other one ? Not part of the UN . UK is !

Lot of gossiping. More substance would be nice.

Germany is weak

Complet BS

Calm down the vocal fry Rory. It’s getting irritating

The French had previously seized Elsaß.

Russophobia

Both Macron and Scholz are small men, the rest is psychology.

What's this German Tourist cruise missile they won't give? Just put your beach towels on the Russian sunbeds on the Crimean beaches.