'You can turn what ship around?!': Furious James O'Brien rips into Tory Education Secretary 

Privatised water companies have paid out £57Bn in dividends since privatization. Imagine if that £57Bn had been spent maintaining infrastructure and fixing leaks...

It's almost funny that the Tories seem to think it's been Labour has been in power for the last 12 years! I say almost funny because it's tragic that none of them accept the responsibilities of the very job that they wanted us to put them in charge of!

It is genuinely reassuring to hear someone in the media calling out the same unbelievable actions and statements of a government that brought this country to its knees. I am so worried about the future of this country, especially if the front runner of the Tory Leadership contest becomes PM. The policy statements that have been made, then denied, then blamed on misinterpretation by the media have been terrifying. The damage that person could do to the country as PM, is breathtaking. Without a complete change in the political direction and economic model of this country, working class and middle class families ate in for a world of pain. Sadly as per usual it is likely to be the most vulnerable in society that will suffer the most and those governing this country should be absolutely ashamed of what they have done and are continuing to do to most of our society. I am going to have to choose between heating and eating this winter and have already taken steps like buying thermal underwear, hot water bottles etc, so that I can try and stay warm without using energy. I will only be able to heat one room in my flat as my energy bills are already taking 1/4 of my monthly salary. My rent takes half my salary and I work full time. Honestly I am genuinely scared about making ends meet in the next 12 months. Something I never expected to have to say. I am sure there are many others feeling the same way and sadly I know there will be many others in a worse position than me and I am genuinely frightened for their health and well being. It is a national scandal and embarrassment that this country now finds itself in this position and many in society are suffering.

Can’t disagree with anything at all. Complete disgrace. During my nearly 50 years of working if you f***ed up a fraction of this you were history. They get promoted and knighted. Disgraceful.

If you turn a ship around it is usually because you have a different destination. If you don’t know where you are going you should not be in charge of a ship

People in Britain and other Countries, sadly believe that the best Politicians to run a Country are the Rich. Then when they drive us to Recession and crippled in Debt, they vote for an alternative Party run by Politicians who have actually worked for a Living. Once that Party gets us on a steady road to recovery, they vote for the Rich again.

I'm finding living in a newly third world country with a crooked government really really stressful

The saddest thing is, they know exactly what they're doing. This is what they want.

The fact that functionally we don't have a PM now, shows exactly how much they bring.

James, I thank you for incorporating my frustration, anger and incomprehension into your words. This is a time when I find it hard to believe the reality of life in this shattered country or the peril to which this odious gang of untalented political no-hopers has exposed the lives of 60 million-plus other UK citizens. I am in the last quarter of my life and would like to think that when it's my time to go Britain would be in a happier, healthier and mire decent place and I could have faith that my children would have a chance of fulfilling their dreams.

I wonder if Jeremy Corbyn is sat on the back benches looking at Britain and thinking 'well Britain, you wanted the tories and you got them'

Politicians have f--d the country, I’m 80 years old and I’ve seen the best of this once great country, such a shame, any young people that reads this get out while you still can.

It amazes me how they can say Truss will makes things better when she can't even do her current job! For instance, she makes a big announcement how she is going to call Macron to sort out delays at Dover when she becomes PM. And no-one asks why she hasn't been on the phone and sorted it out already ... because she happens to still be Foreign Secretary and it's her job! Not a peep about that, but make her PM and it will 'magically' be 'sorted'!

Turning the ship around ignores the fact the ship is sinking

How can you turn a ship around when it’s rudderless ?

12 years of an incompetent and self serving Government, look forward more of the same with Truss.

I've got nothing to add Mr O'Brien, so I'll give you a round of applause instead 👏👏👏

A Tory Education Secretary named 'Cleverly'? You Brits really do appreciate a metaphorical oxymoron by taking it to a whole 'notha level of humourous reality. 😉🤣

We’re trapped in a relationship with a Narcissistic government. We’re being gaslight daily and James is one of the very few pointing out the obvious contradictions. If you accept they are narcissistic you can begin to deal with them. The rants help to an extent, but we all need to stand up to this abuse and call it for what it is. Stand up to narcissists - they can’t take it

1st time I've listened to you James, to my shame . At last someone who does speak the truth . Keep,it going mate because people are sick of being shafted by this lot .

James Cleverly….. surely an oxymoron 😂😂😂😂😂😡😡😡😡

Don't be baffled, James. It's simple. It's psychopathy. Understand this and everything makes sense.

You’re very right about the NHS. We were in the top 3 for almost all outcomes before this lit came in.

Thank you James O'Brien you're truly a National Treasure....🙇🏿‍♂️

James’s is right. It’s really diabolical this current government attitude that a new leader will fix things of their own makings 🙄

Took the words right out of my mouth. Just think of the general sense of optimism in the country in the 00’s, it’s all gone.

What’s the point of turning the ship around when it’s at the bottom of the ocean?

This is the genius of the Tory party. They go through leaders so fast that each PM can claim to bring change, even though they're the ones already in power.

Absolutely right James. What is the point of this 'government'??? Get rid.

Arrogant Blinkered Incompetence Time for change Time for a radical rethink Time to dump the Tories

James thank you! I'm utterly disheartened by this country and this government

Please please please put this man on national news at peak times. It’s about time this was shouted out as loud as possible.

I’ve said it for a long time James ,how dare these people show their faces in public ,and go on and preach their hypocrisy to us the suffering public who have to pay for their incompetence

There has been a graph done by the fianical Times that under Labour with the modest gains they gave to the economy after the financial crash, you'd have about 15% more money per year and this isn't even including the fact that Labour would have capped energy, reduced cost in transport through nationalisation, same for energy, we had the highest satisfaction for the NHS ever in 2010, education was on the up and up, the list goes on

Thank you James for putting my frustration and despair into words.

Perhaps we need a revolution, full transparency and hold everyone accountable , trials and jail time for the guilty

I have mentally disassociated myself from this country now. It helps me cope with how this country is sinking into the abyss.

James your saying how I’m feeling about all of this 😘💯👍

The 'I suspect with crayons' line had me laughing for a full minute, wiping away tears. Thank you James.

No not strange it's simply a self serving government. I just truly hope that everyone that voted tory will please see through light and not do it again

The ship has sunk, deeper than the Titanic. There’s no turning it around now and the crew (government) have stolen the lifeboats while we all drown.

I’d like to ask Liz Truss two simple questions. First, why is it that in a first world country in 2022 do we even have a need for food banks? Second, when are you calling a General Election?

Refreshing to hear someone in media actually getting riled about this government…… 😊

Thank you for voicing the frustration and anger of so many people.

I don't need to rant for myself cos James does it for me, superb.

I am sick of saying that the Tories have been in power for the last 12 years but they blame everybody else for the mess we're in can anyone else help me understand why they are not to blame

You articulated my thoughts so well it’s like you read my mind. You are one of the only people in the mainstream media calling them out on all this. Thank you.

If you want a comparison of how countries treat their citizens just look towards France. France just nationalized EDF, this has caused energy prices in the country to drop by 40%. It just shows you how much more we are paying because of privatization of these services. Everybody in Britain is being exploited and robbed just so a few rich people canake alot of money. It's just sad when it's money that is being made from the misery of the average British worker. But, don't expect this to happen in Britain, there are too many Tories with massive investments in these energy companies. They would rather see the British people suffer just so they can add another million to there already massive investment portfolios. The ironic thing is that EDF supply electricity to many areas of Britain. It's kind of like backwards nationalism. The French government are now making money off the British people because of a privatized enegy system. It may be privatized but nobody said foreign governments cannot buy or own the energy companies. The sad thing is now British people are basically subsidizing electricity rates on France. EDF can cut prices in France to ease the burden on French people by charging outrageous prices in Britain. The thing is that they are not doing anything wrong when you compare then to any other energy company on Britain. This is very reminiscent of the railways in Britain, companies such as Deutsch Bahn, Trenitalia, SNCB and SNCF all have franchises in the British railway system. Is this the oven ready Brexit we were promised?? This could all end with government action, but don't hold your breath. Tooany rich people would loose money if any meaningful action was taken.

WE NEED YOU IN THE SPEAKERS CHAIR NOW!

"There is a clown car in the skip fire" I lost it.... They get away with it because they can.

James Cleverly, Nadim Zadawi and Dominic Raab appear regularly on talk shows and specialize in double talk and evasion. They have been doing this for years. O'Brien is right; the ship has been going in the wrong direction: for 12 years. And as usual, the Tories just continue to make promises.

It baffles me why after decades of anger, we aren't seeing new political parties, with new blood and fresh ideas. James epitomises the general attitude of the UK and what I find in Scotland, with the SNP. There is always talk about "Levelling up the economy", but I think it's us, the people, that need to do the levelling up here. I think it's great that James is holding people to account, but the only thing he's going to get in the end is high blood pressure and a heart attack because it's an endless cycle. Lots of people I meet think the SNP are destroying Scotland, but they get voted in again and again, and one of two reasons for this is that there are no better alternatives around (nationalist or unionist). The second reason is that voter turn out is dropping each time as people grow more apathetic over our political system and I believe the same thing applies with the UK government. When was the last time you ran out to the voting booth thinking "I really want these people in power!"? More likely, you've reconciled yourself to vote for the party you believe will do the least amount of damage or you've decided to not bother voting at all. It's time to level up and smarten up if you don't want future generations to suffer.

The Brexit referendum was a short term solution for Cameron to heal the divide in the Conservative Party. The result, 51.89% in favour has taken the UK out of the biggest market on our doorstep. We are paying the price for a corrupt, damaged party that are clueless.

When you mention sewage my immediate thought,tories there’s the link

You are speaking OUR ANGER James! 👏

Remember Lizz Truss negotiated a trade deal with Japan to eat more of our cheese and the Japanese are lactose-intolerant... and don't even eat our cheese... XD

I’ve never known a life out of recession. This is madness

"200,000 people are going to choose a leader with the power to completely change government policy. That's a president, not a prime minister. We need to start talking about a real constitution in this country, not some fictitious "unwritten" one that the government can ignore whenever it's inconvenient. And we need to start by admitting that our PM is a president, with more power than most countries grant to their executive, and put some checks and balances in place."

As a teacher I am sick of the job of Education secretary being used as a reward for a useless sychophant to whichever leader we currently have. Education is too important to be used in this way.

Despite the global financial crash in 2008, the UK was undoubtedly a better place to live at the end of the last Labour administration compared to 1997. I cannot see a single thing which is better now than in 2010. The Tories have scorched the earth on which they live.

As an American I am just as appalled as James is at these Tory numpties. Save the country before it is too late! The sick man of Europe has returned and he is on a ventilator! Blimey! Have they all gone mad in Westminster???

They've been on the bridge for 12 years now. Hit just about every iceberg in their path, and even steered into many that originally weren't. And they *dare* say they are the ones to turn this ship around.

James, Thank you for being the voice of reason in a totally crazy country.

The ship has been spinning like it's in a whirlpool since 2010.

Would that be the ship that cut its moorings with Europe and is now floundering rudderless in the high seas? Newsflash! The captain has jumped the ship and they can't agree on a new skipper and can't find anyone capable of plotting a safe course.

10 years of austerity then covid that made their mates who were millionaires into billionaires at the cost if millions of lives.

In many ways, things are getting so bad I’m almost relieved that finally, FINALLY, people might associate Conservatives with the consequences of their actions. And if the electorate don’t see it this time… unfortunately the country deserves what’s coming.

Brilliant, so much frustration, expressed in a very entertaining way!

In his past life was Cleverly the Captain of the Titanic?

James Cleverly is a walking, talking refutation of nominative determinism.

"Turn the ship around" Cleverly said as the ship his party steered into the economic icebery is breaking in two and people are dying in the water.

“I suspect with crayon” got me laughing.

Cleverly needs to realise that the ship has been grounded for years now and cannot be tune around without tearing its hull to shreds

Conservatives live in a different world and the rest of us have to suffer for their ridiculous fantasies. As an American, Britain really has my sympathies.

And educated people will still vote for them, I just don’t know what to say anymore. How much money has been wasted on this Truss and Sunak débâcle, all out of the taxpayers money again !

James, you are the best! Thank you!

He’s not happy. And neither are we. Yet my missus tells me every time I yell at the TV screen, I need to chill out.

Valid points James. Just wonder how anyone can have the utter gall to come out with these absurdities and inanities.

For the third time already this year we have had a warning not to swim in the sea where I live because the water company has had yet another sewer leak...

The poor will die and the rich will just get richer

This is the harshest I've heard james in a long time

"Make us your rulers! We will fix all your problems!" "Who actually created the problems?" "Er ..."

With you all the way Roger,well said.

Thank You 🙏

They say everyone has the same problems. Everyone else do not have the Tories.. That’s the biggest problem of all!

These politicians such as Cleverly need to face prison sentences

A society gets what it deserves. Except in the UK where 4 countries collectively get what only one deserves.

Watching one of James' rants makes me wish they would offer Jonathan Pie a presenting job too. Great stuff James. Laying down some truth as usual It's a strange world we live sometimes

12 hour waits in A+E? Try 25 hours a few weekends ago, in Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth, siting with my wife who had a heart bypass op six months ago, and was experiencing chest pains. It was 36 hours in anaemia was diagnosed and treatment started. The staff were uniformly excellent, but there was simply too few of them, and clearly at the ends of their tethers. One nurse told us he had applied to be a delivery driver. so sad it’s unbelievable.

If there saying they can now turn it around, then that must mean what's happening now was deliberately done.

This is why I find it so hard to forgive the Red Wall Tory voters. I understand their disillusion with politics in general but to register your anger at how things are by voting for the people who have been in charge for over a decade is just baffling.

Brilliant James just brilliant 👏👏👏👏

My son when he was a teenager said this would happen, and I didn’t believe it not that I’m a Tory, but it appears this bunch are putting the nail in the coffin of our democracy

Don't often agree with James' diatribe, but on this occasion he is absolutely right! This country is being run political ideology, with leaders of the elite, most of whom are incompetent and have no idea, promoted/appointed way beyond their skill set. We need a GE and let public decide who runs this country.

Throw them all in jail.

I’m Irish and secondly in Irish that grew up in 80’s Ireland. The saying around bar stools was, “ we can’t give you a job, but we can give you an education” what you do with that education is on your own merit. But we have to give you a start. Don’t think British have passed this bridge. Dropping off your kids at airports is a lesson, parents never had to do. They expect the government to take care of you, but what English people don’t realise that, poor education, poor health standards, poor housing. This will just cause civil unrest, you have to give the working man a life line. You don’t give that, I’m putting a brick in your MP office and their ain’t a thing you can do about it, Cos you’ve cut police numbers.

People who seek Power should never hold it.

The real question is why journalists largely let them get away with that. So few are willing to call them out on the bs. Everytime they blame labour or immigrants, journalists should ask well but you have been in power for 12 years this has nothing to do with labour nor immigrants.

I'm in manlove with James. He puts things into words in an elequant and intelligent way that shines a light on stupidity. Sir, I wish I could buy you a beer!

Absolutely bang on! 12 years and the ship has sunk never mind turning it around. Things have been so much worse since these awful people have been in power.