Michael Heseltine on Suella, Enoch Powell and saving Liverpool | The News Agents
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- čas přidán 28. 09. 2023
- Michael Heseltine is a politician with a long political memory. He heard Neville Chamberlain declare war on Germany in 1939. He saw Suez unfold. He attended Churchill’s funeral.
He’s served Conservative prime minister after Conservative prime minister and became the man who eventually even brought down Margaret Thatcher. He never reached the highest office himself, but having seen so many who did up close, and witnessed so much of Britain’s political journey over the last century, there can be few who can offer more perspective, more wisdom about the state we are in and where we might yet go, than he.
In the latest of our extended political interviews, Lewis talks to Heseltine about his life, his journey, his passionate belief that we must re-enter the EU and how he worries that the current Home Secretary is echoing the rhetoric and division of Enoch Powell.
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Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall - three of the UK’s top journalists - host a brand-new daily news podcast: The News Agents.
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Never a Tory supporter, but I admire his forthright manner. The difference between him and the current batch of Tories is his backbone. A very enjoyable watch, thanks!
yes, think he's a principled and decent man... Far more depth and integrity than the monkeys in charge now... But I do not like the Conservatives!
44:22 Tarzan's last sentences are rather telling of the current Tories' state of play 🤔
I guess he was someone who thoroughly supported market principles, but thought they should be carefully controlled to avoid damaging people’s lives and communities. Smart enough to see through Enoch Powell and support the Labour principles of fairness and equality. He certainly comes across with more compassion than the current crop of Tory b@st@rds - I wondered whether even Margaret Thatcher would appear objectively more likeable and caring compared to Braverman, Sunak, Patel, Truss, More-daunt, Rees-Mogg and the rest (contemplates this for a second and then shudders in horror as if a freezing cold breeze had wafted through the room).
@@charrogateTarzan that;s right haha! I can’t forget how Steve Bell used to draw him in the “If” cartoon, regularly in a leopard-skin leotard.
@MrMusicbyMartin
Loathe her blockedness a much as I did, yes, I think she was more genuine, Heseltine certainly was...
My mate reckons he would be just as bad as they are now - if he was there now. But he has a humility and self-candour that I can hear him saying 'Maybe I would'...
He seems an ordinary, decent man!
Certainly a human being and not too focused on Power, (Like his 'tarzan' nickname suggested)
But the current crop are very distorted , hideous human beings, Truss, Brava... and the other ones, distorted human-beings and think that's how history will see them
When you could both agree and disagree with a conservative because you can respect their opinion because you know the opinions are well thought out.
I disagree with Heseltine on most things in politics but I have immense respect for the man, he is the definition of an honourable and principled Conservative.
Patrick respect for Tory kiddie fiddler he and his wife are in Jeffrey Epstein's blackbook
I agree, I am not a fan of his , but he talks sense,, and does not appear to be a corrupt or cruel and most of the Tories in power now .. he did do a lot for Liverpool for Liverpool
I think this is exactly the point. We could choose between political opinion and vote for normal human beings. The culture wars are destroying political discourse on both sides of the pond now.
He was the definition of "vaulting ambition".
@@user-xu5vl5th9nHe served Major loyally as deputy PM. I am a socialist but he acted on principle over Westland when he resigned, not for his own ambition. Most MPs would have leadership ambitions if the opportunity arose. Hardly surprising.
Heseltine has principles, morals and standards that are a world apart from the gutter the current Tory party has made its home.
😂😂😂 liked that one, brilliant!
@nk-gp1ml - "Morals" when he was part of Thatcher"s government by selling off public assets and everything else that Thatcher & co got up to ,he helped ruin this country and it"s society .
And all other politicians of all parties.
Lewis was clearly nervous. First time seeing him close his eyes, look away/down, stumble his words and wring his hands. Sweet.
Haseltine on Brexit should be a TikTok.
Practically a third of Heseltine’s age, Lewis’ grasp of political history is impressive & allowed him to actually react to answers rather than blindly pursue a list of pre-scripted questions.
Although I hated the Thatcher government he was part of & his contribution to the housing crisis via the selling of social housing, his intellect & conscience are far superior to anything found in Government today.
Never been a Tory but yes I agree with you.
He seems to think the selling off of council housing was a great achievement! And also the de-nationalisation of our state-owned industries. The man's got a deluded vision of what's going on in this country. Which of the nationalised industries has shown improvement since privatization? Gas? Water? Train?
Exactly Two policies (privatisation and council house sell-off) that have really come home to roost recently and caused new crises of their own.
@@MrKeefy1967 absolutely. I wish he’d been pressured more about this.
right to buy was the catalyst for the creation of a property owning democracy subprime loans oh dear
I don’t agree with his politics, but this is the type of politician that we need. Honest (as far as I can tell) and doesn’t dither when asked a question. I wish the interview had been longer. On a personal note, he and his family are very courteous. I was working in his Belgravia home and had been clamped. Whilst waiting to be unclamped I was invited to have tea and something to eat with his wife and one of his daughters.
How interesting
That’s so different from the recollections of an interview Lynda Lee-Potter (Daily Mail) did with him. She was given her tea in a mug while he had his in a bone China cup & saucer. The article was laced with little details of the encounter. I remember when Heseltine and his wife and daughters were so certain they’d move into No10, practically measuring up for curtains. And then they didn’t. Hah!
@@lucysmith594that’s a petty comment. I have my favourite mug for tea - it is different to the mugs I give guests. It’s not a slight, it’s just my mug. You sound bitterly delighted that he didn’t move into No 10 - you seem to know their misplaced excitement as if your were there
He is a gentleman and his family are cut from the same cloth ❤
Remember when we disagreed with politician's on points of principle but still respected them? What have we become? A brilliant interview
Not really, no.
Err... Let me think 🤔
Emphatically, NO. I can never respect someone who so obviously despises my existence, despite constantly having their hand in my pocket and profiting from my toil.
@@PORRRIDGE_GUN take to the streets comrade!
I couldn't' t agree more with you!!!👍
@@cecilefox9136aaaqqqq
The only Tory ever to receive the Freedom of the City of Liverpool. A city Johnson dare not show his face in. Says it all.
You’re right Liverpool really is a dump
I have time for this guy, he has learning, experience, huge personal stature & a conscience. No, we wouldn't agree on everything but why should we?
A real pleasure to listen to a knowledgeable presenter and guest without raised voices,no overtalking and no antagonistic behaviour. Perfect
That is because it is not a debate. This kind of interview is common place.
@@opinion3742 Where ?!
As it shld be and as it used to be.
My late Mam was very left wing, even describing herself as a Marxist one time , albeit to get rid of a pesky phone caller from Labour, but Heseltine and Kenneth Clark were 2 Tories she respected, and now with time passing, and looking at what we have now, I can see why.
I understand your comment, I am neither Tory or Labour but I come from a time when both Michael Heseltine and Tony Benn were in parliament and although their personal politics were polarised I always enjoyed listening to their comments. Both are real men with strong personal convictions.
Heseltine and Kenneth Clark ; I agree with your Mam!
Clark was involved with British alcohol and tobacco.
She was a rare thing now a genuinely working class Lefty Boomer, had memories of pre welfare state and what what lead to her own Mother had to give birth to one of her many siblings homeless in the local woords. She used the Marxist line a lot ti freak out the sort of caller who would assume she was more centrist based on her age. During the Labour leadership challenge against Corbyn from Owen Thingy she was rang up a lot by Labour and pestered , so that's how she would end the call very quickly 'Owen Whatshisname? Looks like a low grade bank manager to this old Marxist Trotskyist !' She would proclaim 😅
@@AndyRossism "a genuinely working class Lefty Boomer, " -happy to say I am in that club.
A giant of a man, softly spoken, kind, yet deeply principled, he must be so ashamed of what the Conservative Party became.
Still a Tory, but nothing like the current shysters.
The Tory party is basically just UKIP now. It's a bit like what happened to Boeing when they merged with McDonnell Douglas. Although still called Boeing, the accountants from McDonnell Douglas basically took over, and look where that ended up...
the man is class his wisdom i feel safe
so true @@stefftj3493
@@stefftj3493 interesting sentence look up where have all the fish gone
He’s the conservative you could agree with. I had respect for Michael H, and also Michael Portillo (after his epiphany living on the dole for Channel 4 and almost immediately resigning from politics).
Heseltine and Clarke make it abundantly clear just how far - and how low - the Tories have fallen.
Was never a Hesiltine fan and didn’t support his politics. His intellect, steadiness, forthright talk, honesty of direction is so refreshing compared to todays child like figures that I understand why I’m no longer conservative. I see Labour as this countries only hope.
It’s strange I don’t know much about him apart from usual left wing tropes. He seems like a political figure Britain is truly lacking today.
Until Starmer is removed there is no labour. Starmer is just as scary as SB.
Great interview. I’m old enough to remember Hesletine in his pomp. Never have been a Tory, but he commanded respect for his clarity,straight talking and honesty. Attributes sorely missed in politics today particularly in the Conservative Party and the outlying influences on it.
Labour is not the broad church Starmer promised along with his endless other broken promises. I will vote for neither of the two main parties as there is little difference, they both seem to harbour barefaced liars.
Labour our only hope?? 🤣 Great - accelerated privatisation of the NHS (Streeting and Starmer have made no secret of what their planned "reforms" entail), all the most cruel and anti-democratic Tory laws will be retained (Starmer's front bench are adamant that they don't intend to repeal *any* Tory legislation), and another dose of austerity as Reeves has made clear she's following Tory "fiscal orthodoxy". Add to that all Starmer's broken promises and abandoned commitments, and you have just another rightwing serial liar - albeit with a slicker haircut.
I am also not a natural Conservative but this man has my utmost respect. His comments about what was the real reason behind BREXIT particularly resound with me and I recall being ridiculed at the time for making the same observation. In truth, BREXIT is not about economics. Nationalism is its main driver and I shudder to imagine what may be 10-20 years away.
Nationalism doesn’t pay the bills though so it’s a pointless endeavour to trash our economic security in chasing an idea
Also vote leave campaigned on the supposed economic benefits of brexit
Actually. BREXIT is about self respect 🙏!!!
Think about Enoch Powell/Tony Benn 1970s onwards attempting to make us see sense
We did eventually in The BREXIT vote
@@rogersweet3608 deluded
@@Dazzerthegooner666 @rogersweet3608 Just look outside. We wouldn't be here if you hadn't come in our yard first. Embrace it and make something of it. And go get a hug - you're clearly needing some love. 😉
I think as a society we should show a load more respect for our elders with a lot more experience and knowledge than we do. As a 90 year old man, he makes a lot of sense to me.
Amazing man! I'm a socialist but have great admiration for Michael Heseltine's foresight and understanding.
The is channel is a breath of fresh air.
Some great posts below. Renews my faith in mankind. Heseltine provides a much needed reminder of what the mainstream Conservative Party should look like, in sharp contrast to the array of appallingly inadequate utterly dishonest chancers who have taken it to the brink.
I have never agreed with everything he has done but at least he has integrity which is lacking in this Conservative party now.Great interview.
I am from merseyside, this is the only Tory i have ever liked and respected.
A very rare 'animal' - an honest, upstanding and honourable tory.
Hezza was less a tribal politician, more one prepared to follow his own intellect and conscience
The nostalgic waves of respect for Lord H illustrates how far things have fallen thanks to Cameron, May, the Liar, Truss and now Sunak. Great interview.
That's right but I wouldn't put Cameron and May in the same basket as Johnson and Truss..they were at least fundamentally honest and honourable people whereas the rot - literally - set in when Bozo was elected. We will be - literally - paying the price for the last 4 years for a long time to come.
The nostalgic wave is revisionism on your part.
To true 👍
Thatcher and leon britton stabbed him in the back with the westland helicopter affair he resigned rather that give up his morals . He took britton with him thoe .and honest statesman
I'd add Starmer to that list.
As a Labour member I have loads of respect for Heseltine.
Would never never align to Conservative politics but Michael Heseltine is a person I have always admired and thought that interview was fantastic He is a great man.
This journalist, Lewis Goodall, is a model that some of the people at other troubled news channels should try to learn from. (And that's putting it mildly!)
Excellent summing up and a credit to his profession. He sets a standard for others to aspire to,take note GB news and others
And he is knowledgeable too.
He gives space right from the beginning. Just the war bit, and conveying his feeling to Hesseltine about the start of WW2. I had the same feeling, and he just made it audible, and gives Hesseltine the space to be himself.
I am not to the right of politics but always keen to hear his thoughts;
A nice interview conducted with calmness and intellect
Great interview. He was/is one of the few decent Tories of our lifetime.
What a breath of fresh air. I’m A- political but I have always adopted Michael Heseltine as a man of principle,as politicians were at one time. What a bunch many of them are today, he and many others must despair!!👏🙏
What principle? Snollygoster purist?
I love this guy A true hero without doubt so much respect and so principled
Not a fan of the Conservative Party, but I have so respect for this guy! More than people will never know. What a true gentleman and a credit to society!!! 💯💯💯
My views on politics don't really match his ,but that doesn't matter with this gentleman ,he's brilliant and I have every respect for him
Two titans, what a great shame the Tory Party is not the home of people like Lord Heseltine any longer.
He's vile
Exactly and unfortunately true.
Is he not still a member of the party?
His love of immigration ended up replacing privileged native grandees of his sort. RIP irony.
@@j.harrison6744 Utter tripe
90 years olds and still an interesting intelligent voice whose genuine desire to help Liverpool my home town I appreciated even though I don’t share his politics I have always admired his cavalier almost maverick attitude to convention . His is a particular approach where personal integrity and standing firm for your beliefs were more important than blind ambition . As the former wine butler for the terribly exclusive House of Commons mps dining room I have only happy memories of a polite and generous man who treated the catering staff with the same politeness as he did Alec Douglas Hume his leader . Fabulous interview thank you very much .
He was definitely answering as a party member, when asked if the current cabinet and batch of MPs will be seen as giants of politics.
Yes, it's easier to recognise giants of the past than giants of the future. However, Lord H's demeanour and forthrightness, ability to speak with clarity and thought, shows how many politicians of old (on all sides) were far, far better than most of what we have today.
Unadulterated populism has ruined the political arena and it won't repair until politicians stop following the crowd and then running ahead of them.
Great interview 👍
He can speak without having to rack his brain for answers to questions, remain calm and measured, and sound knowledgeable and convincing. He certainly seems like a fellow with a caring and fair mind.
Impressive skills in any case, but especially for someone who's 90
Great interview, well done @Lewis Goodall, thanks Michael Heseltine @wisdom
Wonderful, worthy interview 👌
As an Irish man i found this interview with Micheael Haseltine very interesting .
Hesseltine & Kenny Clarke, both two political behemoths that know the time of day. The sort of guys you want onboard your lifeboat.
No you don't
I’m not a Tory but sadly that type of guys are sadly missing in the Tories.
In the water acting as floats, maybe; or cut up as fish bait & chum...defo!
More like whales and I would want them floating around the lifeboat, belly up.
He knows the time of day in his elite cloistered bubble. Maybe he should venture to areas like Rotherham, Bradford and Croydon, to see what the time is like?
Lord Heseltine is always worth listening to even when we disagree.
Heseltine shows more empathy than most Conservatives.
His huge hole was his involvement in selling off social housing. It pulled the ladder up for the generations after. No thought of a replacement. Very here today, forget tomorrow, typical 1980's irrational Tory dogma.
Certainly nowadays, yes I agree.
It's easy being empathetic when you're isolated from the consequences.
Yes - he was very empathetic to the Nottinghamshire miners who supported the Tories during the Miners' Strike in the 1980s, when he shutdown their mines in the 1990s.
Like most people who like to claim themselves to be empathetic, it is all talk and precious little action. It is performative, and born of narcissism.
People who believe actions speak louder than cheap words baulk at the idea of taking on actions which are open ended in their charity.
A great interview. Lewis allows Michael Heseltine to talk, and Heseltine imparts experience, wisdom, nuance and his truth. So much contrast to the rhetoric, bad faith and weasel words of Sunak, Bravermann and their ilk.
Hopefully due to podcasts such as this, we can get back to a political landscape is one we can all we proud of no matter our beliefs. Conversation, debate and respect.
This was a great interview. It covered a massive arc of history. To know where we are now you must acknowledge and understand the history. Well done.
And we (aka politicians) do neither
Micheal is right there must never ever be another European war. The EU delivered. It's insane to drift away from the EU. To listen to Micheal tell it as it is, is an absolute pleasure. The Tories need more one-nation Micheals.
Nonsense. The EU has only been around since the mid 90's. The EU breeds conflict.
"Michael"
Great conversation
Refreshing and powerful
Now try listening to GB News and Suella Bravemen
A breath of fresh air. A man of integrity and compassion. There is hardly anyone in politics of his standing now.
Have to agree can't quite believe it but he has values
Hezza has always been a pleasure to listen to, even though I don’t share his political beliefs
This is probably one of the best interviews I have seen for a long time.
Compare that to Piers Morgan recent debacle with JC 🙄😏
A politician who tells the truth, imagine that.
his truth
The best interview that i have seen all year and have viewed many. Excellent questions , and equally so the responses.
Im a Labour supporter but full respect to Lord Heseltine, but I can't say the same the nasty individuals that represent the Conservative Party today.
Why can’t we have politicians of this calibre today? Great interview by Lewis Goodall
@flemmingmorgan 1929 because many seek a politician with charisma .Politics is not Hollywood or Ealing
He was always an opportunist. Always envious of Maggie Thatcher.
I'm not a Tory supporter but alway admired Heseltine - shame we don't have more like him we'd not be the mess we're in today.
Heseltine has many admirable views, not least on Brexit, but before people deify him, in the 90s he endorsed the late payment of bills by businesses, which he called 'part of the culture of British business'. Many small companies go out of business waiting for their money, and for the self-employed and freelancers, it's the kiss of death. And he talks about levelling up!
A very enjoyable interview with one of the political giants of my lifetime. A decent Conservative, and I say that as a Liberal Democrat.
A superb interview by Lewis.
What a brilliant and intelligent politician!
What a man. He still talks with great care and conviction. He destroys so many of the arguments of the Tory party of today with so few words but with deep meaning.
Also he's able to put across the view points of immigrants and global warming's impact with a humane solution. Shame no other MPs are talking about it.
Hugely entertaining and informative - I could listen to Lord Heseltine all day to be honest - it's so refreshing to hear carefully thought through and considered opinion from a politician even if you don't necessarily agree with every thing they say. What a difference to the sound bite, click bait of so many of today's representatives.
Great interview to listen to. Ended too soon. Absolutely fascinating, and I am a lifelong Socialist. You need to do a much longer interviews before these people are no longer with us to give their perspective on political history.
Brilliant insight to a credible brilliant man. Excellent also in the way the interview flowed and the quality of the questions
His interview with James O’Brien on Full Disclosure is worth listening to.
No it's not.
A few years back, I took the trouble to read Powell's speech: Lord Heseltine absolutely nails it.
At last a politician who doesnt act out that Blair hand flapping performance. I am probably v left wing but was always a fan of Heseltine.
Brilliant interview. Like you @jeanr6948 I too have left wing leanings but liked Heseltine. He's still making sense of the world of politics at 90. Bravo! 😀
Im Labour but i respect Michael Heseltine, especially for his work in Liverpool and poorer places.
Sir, your age is of yesterday , your knowledge your wisdom is for today, Sir you are a giant of the moment, politicians today could ( can) only creep around your feet, bless you.
Terrific interview on so many counts. Thank you
“I know what brexit was about”. He is articulate, wise & intelligent. He and those who Johnson threw out would very much agree with him. A great interview with a gracious man.
While not subscribing to the Tory party, this man is to be admired and is a 'giant' in so many ways, talking great sense and I agree with what he is saying. He is a truly compassionate conservative.
I really enjoyed that, great interview from both of you 👍
Thank you for this amazingly powerful interview!
So few today know their history..That is the tragedy .An excellent interview with two very decent man .Thank you both .
Age has brought him to the right place,respect to him
Fascinating. Thanks for this insight.
Brilliant interview. 👍👏👍
Excellent interview and an excellent interviewer and interviewee.
I remember interning in Westminster and sitting in a Select Committee, then in strode Heseltine. The man had real presence and real charisma. Truly a man who held the room.
Love the Lord H - great interview captain L.
A brilliant interview with one of the outstanding politicians of the past 50 years which demonstrates particuarly since 2016 how far the U.K. body politic and quality of our M.P.'s has sadly fallen.
I remember hearing Michael Heseltine address a meeting in Exeter in the 1960's. He was introduced as a "future Prime Minister".
His intellect and clarity of thought and judgement stood out at the time he entered Parliament.
These qualities still stand out now.
A brilliant interview,an honourable man,always had the greatest respect for him.
Wow, seeing Hesletine brings back memories of when you could disagree with someone's politics but still respect them because they had the courage of their convictions. Most of todays players in parliament don't see to have any convictions, let alone the courage to fight for them.
The prime minister that never was.
Lord Heseltine's accounts of recent history are honest and insightful.
This man is a Legend
I’ve always respected Heseltine even though I’m on the left of centre. Brilliant interview.
I got an apprenticeship because of his work in Liverpool. I'm still working and making a living on the back of that 40 years later.
A great interview. I am left-wing , but I have a lot of respect for Michael Hesetine. I don't agree with everything he says, but I agree with 100% on Brexit. The two Tories I have respect fot are Michael Heseltine and Keneth Clark.
Spot on mr H!!!
Wow is this an actual Tory? I can’t believe it. He sounds so different from the shower we have today.
Brilliant interview,heseltine and clarke great politicians.
Great interview 👍
Great interview with an intelligent, practical, experienced gentleman.
I am getting emotional. Hesiltine speaks so much sense. A true Statesman.
Lord Heseltine is a giant politician and his analize of brexit is remarkeble !
It shows how low the current Conservative Party has fallen. I remember disliking him intensely in the 1980s because of his politics but compared to the current lot he’s lovely! Certainly a straight talker who answers questions.
And more left wing than the current Leader of the opposition, I think, but maybe tomorrow Starmer will choose a new direction, just like he does many times every week.
Heseltine was nicknamed “Action Man”, whereas Sunak is “Inaction Man”.
It was Tarzan
What a great and enlightening interview.
For a famous Tory to admit Brexit was obviously about racism is massive. Hats off to a man with morals who sees shades of Powell in Braverman and Sunak. I disagree with his choice of party and his views on Thatcher, privatisation and selling off council houses, but i will defend with my life his right to make the odd mistake in 90 years. Wonderful interview by a respectful and knowledgeable young man.
My late uncle was a gent named David Marlowe, and between 1975 & 1987 he was Head of Public Relations/Tourism for the City of Liverpool. My mum & I used to have a little break with him & my aunt most summers. One evening in 1982, he took us up to the Albert Dock which was then derelict, and said the immortal line "Come back in five years & it'll all be different !". He worked very closely with M.H. on the redevelopment & promotion of the area, & in particular the International Garden Festival in 1984.
There’s some respect for Michael here in the Liverpool, despite his Tory credentials, as he pulled money from the EU to help rejuvenate the area after the riots. (That the riots could be the fault of his boss to a great degree is perhaps unrelated.) I think it’s noteworthy that Liverpool voted strongly to remain in the Brexit referendum; I think many of us remember how European unity helped out city.
Interesting to note that he was on the left of the party back then, which nowadays would qualify him for Kier Starmer’s Labour.
Excellent interviewer, very knowledgeable about history. I'm now an admirer. Heseltine is humble in old age but speaks from the heart and soul 🤔❤️👍+1. Wilson and Ted Heath gave me MUSIC at state primary and secondary school and I made my fortune from there. 😢
Sad to have to escape the country of my birth through Powell, Thatcher, Farage and Braverman. 🇨🇵🇪🇺 Subscribed. 👍🔔.