It feels like I haven't listened to a leader that makes me feel like a grown-up for a long time.

The availability of this lecture via KZfaq is a great public service, and I thank you for it.

I remember when Major was PM he was pilloried as being "too boring". What the UK wouldn't give for "boring" now.

Arriving at this as someone who ignored John Major as Prime Minister, full of young spunk that I was, and even today am still not enamoured with some of the economic policies he extolled in his prime, I have to say that that was a profound speech. As others have said, a reminder to us as to how far our politicians have shrunk, and perhaps how good a statesman he was. Alas, as sensible the words were, I don't think they'll be appreciated until, perhaps 2030, judging by the situation we find ourselves in and exactly for the reasons as described in Sir John's (can I retract and say Mr Major's) speech. A puzzle.

A masterpiece. Thank you for your powerful, insightful analysis. I've missed hearing politicians of such calabre.

Utterly brilliant and accurate speech. For gods sake, take note as this.

Wow that was pretty brilliant. Nothing I didn’t already know but spoken in a way I could only dream of.

I'm a Labour party member but this speech is very good, and the country would be in a far better place with a leader like him. How low the Conservatives have fallen

An excellent analysis of where the UK stands, particularly in his criticism if Brexit. It's a pity the Brexit cultists won't have the patience or thinking capacity to even give his words a first thought. However the impact of Brexit will most certainly make them think, but I doubt they'll blame themselves or the ones they mistakenly put their faith in. Time will see Brexit as a dreadful mistake and only new, hopefully more informed generations will improve our position.

Thank you John Major, thank you for this measured and real speech, appreciated in this house

Excellent. Perhaps the greatest speech on modern Britain I have seen. Those of us who are aware of this speech have a duty to our beloved country to share it far and wide

I’m a socialist... but also a staunch remainer... and that made me cry. Jesus, how is a Tory MP making me cry ?

This is a devastating speech for the ages, and one that will undoubtedly be admired with a sense of reverence, but looked upon with regret.

Sir John Major at his absolute best ❤️🇬🇧

I always underestimated him. This was powerful and desperately needed.

From Great Britain to Little England. Very very sad.

Brilliant and so sad at the same time.

A landmark speech that will resonate for decades to come which many will look back on with deep regret for what might have been.

What a fantastic speech. Thank you for sharing this. Hopefully this gets more airtime. So poignant.

Bravo. Bring some heavyweights back into British politics! Leaders with wisdom and gravitas.

I never agreed with a lot of his politics but by god I miss having a leader who actually has a brain and doesn’t continually lie for self gain

Fantastic, all should take heed, thank you.

I'm no Tory but its nice to listen to a logical and professional Politician.

What an accurate analysis of the political situation in the UK, excellent speech. Thank you for making it available to the public.

Brilliant, absolutely riveting to the very end. Not something I expected to say about a Tory or John Major. My thanks to M.T. for uploading this speech to KZfaq.

My goodness what an impressive and thoughtful analysis of the situation we find ourselves in.

I've been saving this on my desktop for a rainy day. Regardless of his record as PM, this was a brilliant lecture and proves that with age can wisdom come. He articulated all that many of us have thought or concluded, in a way that, if the mendacious incompetents in Gov listened, would pierce their hearts with a conviction of treason. Oh for the leadership & wisdom of a Major, Blair, Grieves, Clark, Reid, D. Milliband & H. Benn.

Some timely truth bombs from the former PM that resonate with me. However, I doubt it will alter views on the other side. We live in different realities.

I was born in 1979. Yet even at such a young age, he always struck me as by far, the most credible leader Britain has had in my lifetime. Differences aside, as I expect there are many as someone in, very nearly, the lowest social braket, I would resoundingly trust him, to make the best judgement for the most people. I would love to share a conversation with him, I think we could be friends.

When you hear a truth, like this speech, broadcast far and wide when truth has been suppressed, smeared or distorted for many years, it is uplifting, energising and liberating to hear. A perfect analysis by Sir John Major. This needs to be shared further to all corners of the country.

One of the best and most accurate speeches I’ve heard

A powerful and clear message, from a "decent" ethical politician and PM. How different would we be, how better if he or his like were still in power. His more recent successors, and especially Johnson, are not a patch on what the country deserves. Lies, populism, and croney-ism are rife. It's shameful.

Thank you! Great speech. Spoke for many of us.

Brilliant and so true. I feel quite down and depressed that all I have believed about Brexit , Boris Johnson and Trump has been validated by a much more intelligent and knowledgeable John Major. I feel powerless and just want to cry!!

Very sobering. I'm a radical red, but I can appreciate the intelligence, statesmanship, and sense of duty emanating from Major.

I was thinking this morning that Sir John Major would be our Biden if it was possible. Unfortunately it isn't.

Bloody hell, how we could do with a few John Majors in government today.

The greatest PM ever .Honest ,straightforward plain speaking and very courageous.

Sir Major gives us a view on a very good possible future, much smaller, Kingdom, instead of the STILL excisting United Kingdom. Time will tell what history has left us.

Can't go wrong when you tell the truth. Chapeau Mr Major.

Excellent and correct.

Thank you so much. I rarely post any comments but listening to Sir John Major was like balm being poured over an open wound. Simple sensible direct....a voice of measured common sense

Excellent lecture...if only his voice was heard by more.

A very welcome voice of reason and insight in a time of demagoguery. Thank you.

Never thought i would ever agree with and admire a tory politician so much. We made much fun of John Major when he was in power, but how we now miss someone like him! As i listen, he goes through EVERYTHING that is now SO wrong. Painfully evident how the standards, quality, intelligence, sens of responsibility, gravitas of some of our elected politicians have now dropped. Not just in UK of course. USA has been prime example. Thank goodness the USA has restored matters, but only just. The likes of Boris Johnson and Trump have attracted voters, but with disastrous consequences. We so need to learn from the tactics of such 'politicians' to make politics and civic duties accessible and attractive to less educated people. This starts in schools but also social media, workpkaces, eating places, popular artists, tv stars, cookery gurus, so called 'influencers'... All in the public domain have a duty to educate. Most have kids after all!

Statesmanship. The contrast with our present cabinet is stark.

some people improve with age! John Major is one of them.

Ironically, English speakers might like to know that the Irish word 'fíor' (pronounced like the English 'fear') means true so Project Fear to an Irish speaker means Project Truth...

The sense of gravitas, calmness and sincerity is in such stark contrast to Boris Johnson et al that it makes one wonder why we are landed with such an incompetent government. Something for us to ponder on.

Dear John Thank you soo much for an amazing speech containing soo many ideas and possible outcomes depending on which path one will take. It must have taken such courage to do this. But you will be remembered in history as a great states man and a man historically of your people. Speaking truth with preemptive council for all members of Great Britain. I am Irish , live in Wicklow ,Greystones. I appreciated your speech with its full respect for the history of the geographic region and its implications. I agree with what is said below for english people- Adam Browne 1 day ago It feels like I haven't listened to a leader that makes me feel like a grown-up for a long time. Having to admit to the english people that they are no longer a super power actually gives the people the ability to relinquish the archetypes of the past that constrain them and create a new dream and vision of the future for your society. It takes great bravery to break an archetype and create a new casting mold for your people. In the absence of a healthy reality I admire your striving to create a new reality with new archetypes for your people. I wish you all the best and well done on your bravery. Wth the best of wishes from Ireland to the people of England Eoin llewellyn

Really apt 👌 speech, thank you for uploading!

Wisdom such as this seems to be in short supply in today’s government.

The bare facts and stark reality.

What an honest assessment for once. No doubt will be lambasted by tories as an old has been who curried favour. They refuse to listen.

Thank you Master Major.

Very refreshing to hear it straight. Does this speech not reveal that it is in Scotland's long term interest to leave the UK and aim to regain some of those benefits that John Major highlights the UK are now losing through leaving the EU? The future painted here for the UK is not bright. If as some would say has been concretely demonstrated through Brexit, the Scottish people feel they have had little to no effectual voice in shaping the UK's political direction or future, what are their incentives to stay? And if complacency and nostalgia are what has put the UK where it now is then how heartening for those seeking independence to see fewer and fewer in Scotland fostering those beliefs in a past that never was while more and more look forward and outward to a fairer and more progressive future.

Excellent speech. The Brexit project is unravelling.

Excellent speech. I found it thoroughly depressing to hear Sir John Major describing what I largely knew, so eloquently. But this must be heard. Importantly, even today, this Brexit doomsday scenario is far from inevitable as an EEA Norway style deal would resolve most of the issues we are facing and satisfy many on both sides of the debate.

This should be televised for everyone to see

Glad to see at least one Tory acknowledge that a United Ireland is one day inevitable even if now is not the time.

This is what a UK Prime Minister looks like. An excellent Lecture on so many levels. It is a wake up call to the current Circus inappropriately managing the affairs of the United Kingdom.

Thanks to The Middle Temple & The Rt Hon Sir Brian Leveson, Master Treasurer of The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, for making this excellent Lecture available to the public. Sir John Major's speech encapsulated all that is wrong with this Government & the consequences of its current policies.

I think John Major was the key person in the anglo-irish agreement. Blair took the credit, but Major took the risk.

Essential viewing for all in the United Kingdom

For someone who needs no introduction, that was quite a substantial introduction.

Thank u and fully agree it saddens me that this is true

This is what a real politician sounds like 👌 thank you

Bless Him.

'This government deserve credit for what they've given so far... To their families, business'partners' and schoolmates.'

Major demonstrating a level of understanding, insight, competence and honesty that none in the current government possess.

Superb.

Great lecture I wish Major has been able to negotiate the Good Friday agreement.

We are all washed up with nowhere to go.

Wise words ...

Fantastic

Spot on!

I can't thank you enough for this video Mr Major. Ive been diagnosed with insomnia recently and this video has turned my life around.🥴

Oh for some Tories like Major now. Cameron summed it up correctly when he said the party was being taken over by swivel eyed lunatics.

Excellent

With acknowledgments to Will Hutton?

I had almost forgotten what it means to listen to calm and coherent politics. Presented by a politician of experience and calibre. I fear that it will be a considerable time before a sufficient number of the population come to accept the reality of Brexit both for the country and in their own lives. By that stage I rather think that some changes will be irreversible. I can only hope that, nevertheless, the damage caused - for damage is what the effect will be - is of an order which will not prevent those in government at the time being able to set about a meaningful restoration exercise.

Master Major... What a pompous beginning.

Excellent speech . Don’t worry about the country or brexit it’s all in hand . Next year will be monumental . The real Templars have had enough . In Deo Confidimus

Thanks for the schadenfreude UK!

Excellent speech, hit the nail on the head, but very sadly a small light in a great darkness!

A very good speech John, thank you

The man who gave his government a 28% payrise whilst all public service workers pays were capped at 3%. They did this again recently whilst public sector pays were capped at 1% from 2011. They gave themselves a number of big pay rises in between. They make the rules and we pay for it.

Very coherent lecture, largely reflecting on Brexit. What I sadly miss is a corresponding, statesman-like speech on the upside of Brexit. Perhaps another former PM (Mrs. May) might oblige?

Johnson needs to listen to someone much wiser than him

Just wonderful, thank you

Goddess Nemesis never acts without due warrant

It feels like..... sanity.

If Sir J had allowed the British people a democratic vote on Maastricht we wouldn't be where we are today.

Thank you for this great lecture .

Similar analysis to Prof Danny Dorling, for anyone who hasn't seen those on YT.

Was this aired on TV?

Apathy runs this country !!

Boris Johnson eat your heart out: you will NEVER achieve this level in politics, or anywhere for that matter.

A genuine good man

Ironic and tragic in way that the best and most wise politicians tend to be those who have served their time in public office, gained vast experience but have been cast asunder or retired. Ken Clarke being purged from the Conservative party was unforgiveable, and politicians like Major, Blair (I know, I know) Brown have so much to give. Theresa May even, suddenly seems a wise owl after her leadership experience. Instead we have younger politicians burning with ambition rather than idealism and lacking the necessary experience and guidance to flourish. Look at the current cabinet, a collection of nodding dogs if ever there was one, under the leadership of a PM whose only interest is 'having' the job, not 'doing' the job. Rudderless government bent on survival rather than governing and any views like these from Major are probably laughed at.