The Future of British Politics: In Conversation with Simon Heffer 

Rent levels render many British people unable to adequately provide for themselves.

As an ‘average’ salaried worker in my late 50’s, with two teenage kids aspiring to go to uni, mortgage etc I simply don’t have the capacity to make provision to save for care I may potentially need in my dotage. I don’t have a lavish lifestyle, drive a knackered old car, rarely take holidays, pay as much as I can into my pension etc there’s always some month left at the end of the money. Until we start taxing the super rich and disincentivise the squirrelling away of billions into off- shore bank accounts we will never make any progress!

I enjoyed this interview. A testimonial of the failure of neoliberalism

He's right about Johnson's cabinet but it's the same old freedom for those who have money and poverty and vulnerability for those who don't .

You can sum up the politics of the UK easily:- Democracy does not exist! There you go!

Can't imagine many capable people who've had proper jobs, would ever want to be an MP.

Democracy is not the public just voting but more important getting what they want. Liberal Democracy is just rule by international finance and the Merchant class now.

Had to sell his Mother's house, because her care cost over £100,000 a year... I hope you all heard that number. He is living in a parallel dimension to the vast, vast majority of the country, and has no clue. This is such a warped perspective.

Talk about serious dinners

Well, I for one am shocked - shocked! - that the party taking such a turn toward unbridled self-interest would itself be riven by politicians out for...their own self-interests.

Wow... This is what's missing out of politics today. Will NEVER EVER beat common sense. Bravo 👏👏👏👏

This is superb and one of the best political discussions I’ve come across

Simon Heffer, Douglas Murray and Dr David Starkey should have been key advisors for the Govt.

Massively interesting talk and I totally agree with most of his comments

Was it gut instinct that swung Heffer from left to right on the political spectrum?

Wise guy. Speaks his mind. Like this.

When the Prime Minister and government ministers are hamstrung by obstructive civil servants and, in some cases, the High Court, it is easy to see why few of the issues in the UK are ever solved. The worst part of this is that no political party seems to have an effective strategy to remove these obstacles.

People living paycheck to paycheck can't take risks if the price of failure is starvation. The reason why the rich can succeed is that they can fail again and again.

Thatcher was a disaster! The policy of privatisation has had catastrophic consequences for every citizen of the U.K. Hayek and Friedman have been thoroughly debunked.

"Don't mention the Brexit !!" - Basil Fawlty. Pontificates on everything but not 40 seconds on the mega disaster he foisted on his countrymen.

It's not all about Brexit, the UK has been going downhill since Thatcher's time.

Very informative!

What Heffer seems oblivious of is not Britain’s lack of work ethic; it’s what’s BEHIND work ethic! There needs to be INCENTIVE to work hard! What incentive IS THERE?!? Young men can’t hope to find a loyal wife or buy a house! They’ll be lucky to have one child, let alone 2.1 - The replacement rate!

This poor chap looks like he’s going to explode.

Dinners cannot get more serious than his.

Enthralling and enlightening. Hearing those thoughts, views and reflections in the current political and social climate, was akin to being in the desert and finding an oasis

Anyone know where he got the stat regarding 70% of nhs budget going on payroll, it seems to be a significant pillar of his oppinion on the state of the nhs. From what I can tell, it's more like 45% however.

Like so many highly educated Brits this guy is very likeable and very smart. Only problem is that his sort rarely have any political viable solution to anything: "Deregulate" :-) - That word is pretty empty by now "culture war" - this is an empty attack on.... well, someone else....

'Arse from their elbow': in North Lanarkshire we say Boris Johnson didn't know if he was going for a shite or a haircut.

It's rich the IEA complaining about the state of affairs crafted in their own image

Simon Heffer was always a very strange eccentric, and that has only increased with time. He belongs on the lunatic fringe of a past era.

The problem is the Home Office .Not the Treasury.

I haven't listened to so much common sense for a long time, and agree with everything including the quality of cabinets; saying a lot other than the seriousness of what they're doing.

How heavy is Mr Heffer ?

Just looking at the physical state of Heffer is somewhat symbolic of Britains decline and of his precious brexit. (Moaning about the working classes as 'slothful' is priceless in that regard) You don't even to think too much about his odious views and ill thought out shambolic 'logic' to wonder at what makes people sit there and listen to it. I have no idea why is deemed to be some sort of respected journo or thinker. By the way, 'Enoch Powell is the greatest man ever' . Says everything about Heffers inclinations. Powell was criticised back in the 60s by even conservative papers and Edward Heath was so appalled he dismissed him. If you are getting called 'racist' by Conservatives in 1960s - when the Black & White Minstrel show was considered accpetable TV the you can be sure you are racist. Powell was - and by elevating him to the status of 'greatest' can only suggest he is also. He's right on Johnson. Thats about it. Otherwise a waste of space.

Still trying to find some benefit from the infected blood stuff coming out myself!

The U.K is at the mercy of landlords..The majority of the economy is for the benefit of estate agents..Small industries here are again forgotten..The U.K needs to produce and grow as producers of a variety of products and services..Part of the problem is we have forgot or choose to think we’re not good enough or others can and we can’t..This thinking must change..But can only change with new thinking from the top down and incentives in tax ..

Truly bizarre to hear a Brexit supporting admirer of Powell and Thatcher say 'I believe in a compassionate society.'

Brexit could have worked but BJ made a complete mess of it, I voted remain as I was hypnotised by economic orthodoxy over radical ideas.

Thatcher was a complete disaster. Squander north sea oil and gas, and gave away all national treasures.

EU and the decline of Germany and other associated countries.

I am a good old fashioned Gladstonian Liberal!

Also Heffer is a cricket buff which helps.

For me, the most important issue by far is the very damaging high level of immigration. Its impact on culture and identity is more important than on the economy. The account of the Civil Servant asserting that "we" would stop Brexit speaks volumes. They are SERVANTS. I enjoyed the interview immensely. Mr. Heffer is simply a highly intelligent, interesting and, yes, good, man. Mr. Heffer's comments on the comparative amounts of money spent on the NHS and on defence were convincing to me. His account of Enoch Powell's encounter on the Tube was so very amusing.

52:30: "The limits on what people could put into their pensions were removed" err... what?!

How can such an established and respected political observer be so out of touch with what is actually taking place on the political scene?

Heffer must have a death wish with that stomach. Sorry because his biog of Powell was very good.

Is this the IEA: architects of Liz Truss' disastrous mini budget??

Having Gladstone as a role model is like in Germany being very fond of Bismark. It feels a little bit outdated in the XXI century

As a progressive liberal (if that is not oxymoronic), this was a wonderful conversation with a dour though earnest conservative whose views represent those elite who were born with a golden foot in their mouth (or had privileged access to economic opportunities) and have never experienced the vicissitudes of life. Nonetheless, I enjoyed listening to his views on how Britain has evolved over the last forty or fifty years!

Boris couldn’t organize a piss up in the brewery!

Heffer by name........

The 364 economists were proven right. As we take the Tory waters of privatisation.

Policies not the people of course!

Tax all dividends and chase heavens for money. ReDistribution is the best way to look after people.

IEA - shady, Heffer - dodgy! !

Britain never reformed itself properly after WW2. How did Commonwealth embrace democracy while Britain carried on the feudal system 😢

As long as the urban professional class dominates parliament nothing positive will occur.

Not really a Renaissance man after hearing that list and the Cambridge name check. An insider for sure. But well worth listening to that's for sure.

Is the British political system obsolete?

Who funds the iea?

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:13 *🗳️ Simon Heffer criticizes Boris Johnson's cabinet, calling it the worst since 1721.* 01:05 *📚 Simon Heffer is introduced as a historian and a prominent conservative commentator.* 02:00 *🎓 Simon Heffer recalls his first visit to the Institute of Economic Affairs in 1981.* 02:53 *📖 Simon Heffer shares a memorable encounter with Friedrich Hayek during his early years.* 04:05 *💡 Heffer describes his political and economic philosophy as Gladstonian liberalism.* 05:14 *📰 Heffer discusses the transformation of the Conservative Party from a Tory to a centrist or Gladstonian liberal entity.* 06:10 *🥀 Heffer criticizes recent Conservative leaders, calling the party factionalized and in shock.* 07:17 *🔄 Heffer believes the Conservative Party went wrong after Margaret Thatcher's removal and the lack of succession planning.* 08:24 *📉 Heffer describes the ongoing division in the Conservative Party since 1988 and its impact.* 10:54 *🇪🇺 Heffer explains how Brexit and the handling of it have caused further division within the Conservative Party.* 12:47 *🐶 Heffer suggests the Conservative Party needs a significant defeat to allow for rebuilding.* 13:29 *⏳ Heffer doubts the Conservative Party will resolve its issues within five years, emphasizing the depth of the internal conflict.* 14:09 *🎭 Heffer criticizes the current government's handling of culture wars and migration issues.* 16:13 *🛑 Heffer warns of potential challenges within the Labour Party regarding anti-Semitism and economic policies.* 18:05 *🎯 Heffer calls for a new Conservative leader with a clear vision to effectively oppose Labour and SNP.* 19:25 *📉 Heffer foresees a potential financial crisis under Labour, stressing the need for a rigorous monetary policy.* 20:21 *🧓 Heffer emphasizes the importance of addressing the challenges of an aging population and state spending pressures.* 23:44 *🏡 Simon Heffer discusses the need for families to take more responsibility for elder care rather than relying on state support.* 25:06 *💸 Heffer argues for lower taxes to encourage personal responsibility and planning for future care.* 26:16 *💡 Heffer mentions the need to transition from a welfare state to a welfare society, emphasizing self-help and mutual aid.* 27:37 *🗳️ Heffer reflects on the Conservative government's failure to reform the welfare state since Thatcher's time.* 28:03 *⚖️ Heffer criticizes institutional resistance to change within the Civil Service, hindering governmental reforms.* 28:17 *📚 Heffer discusses the "blob" as described by Liz Truss, referring to the entrenched bureaucratic resistance to reform.* 29:09 *🚫 Heffer harshly critiques Boris Johnson's cabinet, calling it the worst in British history.* 30:16 *🏛️ Heffer emphasizes the need for competent politicians with real-world experience to effectively govern.* 32:18 *🗂️ Heffer shares a story about a senior civil servant vowing to stop Brexit, highlighting the power and resistance of the Civil Service.* 35:18 *🇬🇧 Heffer talks about the need for Britain to recalibrate its expectations and work ethic to stay competitive globally.* 37:17 *💼 Heffer discusses the importance of encouraging hard work and innovation to maintain economic prosperity.* 39:05 *🏦 Heffer expresses concern over the potential rise of corporatism and state capitalism, rather than socialism or communism.* 40:03 *📊 Heffer compares current economic policies to those of the Heath government, warning against excessive state interference.* 41:40 *⏲️ Heffer warns that the welfare state can eventually lead to a totalitarian state if left unchecked.* 42:20 *🏋️ Heffer calls for a cultural shift towards personal responsibility and away from dependency on state support.* 43:43 *📜 Heffer draws historical lessons from the abolition of Corn Laws, advocating for deregulation and incentivizing innovation.* 46:52 *🗳️ Heffer criticizes Theresa May's attempt to address social care funding during a weak political moment, leading to her "dementia tax" proposal's failure.* 48:00 *🚫 Heffer emphasizes the need for political strength to implement significant social changes.* 48:54 *🌟 Heffer hopes the Labour Party will address social care funding if elected, stressing that individuals must contribute to their own care.* 50:00 *💰 Heffer discusses the need for reform in public sector pensions, advocating for increased private pension contributions.* 51:53 *🏦 Heffer supports removing limits on pension savings to encourage private provision over state reliance.* 52:49 *⚠️ Heffer criticizes Boris Johnson's missed opportunity to reform post-Brexit and expresses support for Sunak's attempts to address issues.* 54:38 *🎩 Heffer comments on Cameron's suitability as Foreign Secretary and highlights the need for robust foreign and defense policies.* 56:10 *⚔️ Heffer argues for increased defense spending, stressing the importance of balancing welfare and defense priorities.* 57:52 *🛡️ Heffer criticizes the bureaucratic nature of the NHS and calls for better allocation of resources to essential services.* 59:14 *🗣️ Heffer advocates for reforming candidate selection to ensure competent individuals with real-world experience enter politics.* 01:03:12 *🏛️ Heffer emphasizes the need for a traditional governing class with public service values and practical experience.* 01:04:05 *📊 Heffer reflects on the importance of having experienced advisors in government to avoid mistakes.* 01:05:01 *🇺🇸 Heffer expresses concern about the 2024 US presidential candidates, predicting potential instability regardless of the outcome.* 01:07:19 *🌍 Heffer worries about the international implications of the US presidential election and potential civil unrest.* 01:07:35 *🎤 Heffer shares an anecdote about Margaret Thatcher, highlighting her strong personality and focus on current affairs even after leaving office.* 01:09:13 *😮 Heffer recounts an interaction with a senior Conservative who surprisingly suggested Jacob Rees-Mogg as the next party leader.* 01:10:10 *🚇 Simon Heffer recounts a humorous anecdote with Enoch Powell on the London Underground, highlighting Powell's humility and wit.* 01:11:17 *📚 Heffer praises Enoch Powell's intellectual achievements and influence on conservative economic policy.* 01:12:39 *💬 Heffer criticizes David Cameron's "Big Society" rhetoric as lacking commitment to reducing the state's role and promoting individual advancement.* 01:13:59 *🏥 Heffer emphasizes the importance of auditing the NHS to reduce unnecessary roles and cut taxes by shrinking the state payroll.* 01:14:41 *💷 Heffer recalls watching Kwasi Kwarteng's budget announcement and criticizing the lack of explanation on funding the proposed tax cuts.* 01:15:08 *📉 Heffer emphasizes that maintaining market confidence requires clear financial planning, unlike the approach taken by Kwarteng and Truss.* 01:16:12 *📈 Heffer reminisces about Thatcher's approach to tax cuts, highlighting her method of balancing the books and offering choice to the public.* 01:16:25 *🗳️ Heffer doubts a Labour government will cut the welfare state, urging a conversation about the scope and limits of welfare provision.* 01:16:53 *🏡 Heffer points out the positive changes since 1945, such as increased homeownership and private pensions, advocating for a focus on self-reliance.* Made with HARPA AI

I missed something: how does this guy love Thatcher but embrace Brexit?

Brexit . The self inflicted wounds are the most deepest and most debilitating.We are still a generation away from another vote but maybe with a change of government at least we will start tallking to Europe again.If M.T .wanted us to leave she had 11 years to do it Brexiters ,the enemy is in Moscow not Brussels! !

Re old people, if they have houses and assets then sell them and pay for their care.

"The so called poor and the so called dispossessed", what an odious man. Look at the size of his gut, Simon Heffer doesn't appear to suffer from lack of access to food, it would take several food banks to keep that tummy tanked up.

Entitlement, platitudes and a complete lack of awareness.

The Great British brain-drain, we are loosing all the bright minds & becoming a state of grifters.. In a heartbeat I would migrate to Europe, but that opportunity sailed with Brexit

Regarding the “culture war” at around 14.00 David Starkey’s recent ncf speech was magnificent. He sees it not really as a culture war but as a political, legal and constitutional war kicked off by Blair’s disastrous reforms. Well worth watching: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ClDrkcSfKjk.htmlsi=XUU-8PYWjH9mM1dY

One could tell oneself that he’s just mistaken about the practical effects of his economic approach - though he’s notably contemptuous of the idea that the state should help people. That is, until he tells us his hero, the greatest person he’s known, is Enoch Powell. Powell, the toxic racist and imperialist, who made life worse for tens of thousands of Asian and Afro-Caribbean people, who betook himself to Northern Ireland to bolster the retrogressive bigots of the Unionist Party. The economic talk is directed towards the sort of society he wants, and presumably the one he thinks Powell wanted. It’s by no means as cuddly and reasonable as he (and the iea, it seems) would pretend.

Solutions need to be solved at the correct level of abstraction. Global Continent Country Region/State Town/City/Vilage Borough Neighbourhood Community Family Individuals

A serious dinner?...i can see heffer certainly likes those🤣

Businesses in China are hardly free to carry on how they see fit.

Look at things in uk, i dispair for our childrens future.

Britain could be great again if there were leaders with real vision for the future. We can either be shitty 2nd world neoliberal social democracy, with a small super wealthy elite based on finance on London, and the rest of the world an open borders third world dumping ground to bring in low wage labour. Or we could have a future oriented nationalist government that would combine serious governance (no more feckless deficit spending and waste on current spending rather than capital investment), a realist foreign policy (cooperate with Russia, China and other emerging economies in synergy instead of yapping about "democracy promotion" as part of the American empire, divert defence spending almost entirely to the nacy to focus on protecting our commercial interests and defending the home islands), and a third position economic policy (let the market take care of things where we have a compeititve advantage like finance and luxury goods, while the state finances things we could be great again in with state investment, and which we have natural potential amd synergies for for, like shipbuilding, merchant shipping etc).

For the most part I don't disagree, with the exception of state debts. Sunak has brought the UK down to European levels with an acceptance that debt is OK at 90%+. That madness on top of idiocy. At most we can maintain 40% debt. So the Conservatives and SNP need to suffer, as they keen eternally delaying big private sector projects. A tunnel under the Thames costs money. A small nuclear reactor generates money.

Keeping a central bank like the BOE makes absolutely sure that Brexit was the right idea.

Dérégulation is what cause the 2008 crash! Not a very good precedent…

What a load of right-wing nonsense, more if we would just be more right-wing from the people who have got everything they wanted for 15 years.

This video was brought to you by the tobacco industry and other secret funders.

Proper journalism Unfortunately Simon is as common these days as hens teeth

Tom King stood down in 2001

The EU is turning right wing. Us Brexiteers might join up again if they do.

A ‘low tax’ economy is a pipe dream as long as the NHS exists. So, when will the Tory party have the guts to stand on a platform of either abolishing it or financing it through private insurance. PS: the Armed Forces need an absolute minimum of an extra £10bn pa.

This is revisionism at its most disingenuous, and very typical of a hard-right Tory and Brexiteer. First, he fails to acknowledge any connection between the man-made tragedy we experience today (as exemplified by human excrement in our waters) and 40-plus years of Thatcherism, in contrast with Germany which managed to become Europe's economic powerhouse while essentially remaining a socialist economy - complete with trades union bosses in corporate boardrooms until it committed economic suicide by rejecting cheap Russian gas - but I digress). He also fails to acknowledge that it was his beloved Brexit (itself a pet Thatcherite project) that produced the literal kakistocracy that he disparages. Some day, Thatcherism was going to fulfil its mission, and it has succeeded spectacularly. I just wish its proponents (which include New Labour - not least because it was infamously Thatcher's "greatest achievement") would have the decency to acknowledge the error of their ways.

Torries are preparing for war, but they never asked British boters what they want... let them know on 4th of July

Also: whof funds the IEA and why won't you tell anyone? WHO FUNDS THE IEA?

this is all done to blame Brexit

If it was so bad why is the Uk joint best with Canada on growth at the moment out of the G7. The 4th largest exporter at the moment & outpacing the EU? Something doesn’t add up.

That is an unfortunate name…

So we haven't got any money to look after pensioners, but we got money for asylum sleekers, that's makes sense

He loses credibility for me when he complains that Johnson´s appalling cabinet was the worst in history. Of course it was! it was deliberate. Johnson and Cummings would not appoint competent people of integrity. They needed to surround themselves with ministers equally as vacuous and immoral as themselves.

Beds Baths & Beyond was a private for profit business that went bankrupt. Not a great title. Is Simon arguing for 100% inheritance tax, or for tax reductions? Confusing. At least he talks about society, which is not supposed to exist, no such thing.

Tremendous respect for Mr Heffer I grew up hating the Tories then you turn 45 and end up been one.

Join Reform

Woulf be interested to know who funds this organisation.

Mr. Heffer is brilliant

At 10:07 we hear another loony who thinks that Britain is as important and as strong as the EU. It is this kind of conviction (of still living in 1880) that gave us Brexit.

These people ARE the problem however i agree withe the fact that most of Boris' party didn't want Brexit and no one at the time was prepared to carry it out properly for the British people who voted for it

Cutting taxes leads to a poor structural and social environment: health, infrastructure. UK has become a crappy place to live. As long as this is continuously championed the country will never raise itself.