The Peter McCormack Show

#114 - Vince Cable - Reform v Lib Dems - The UKs Political Future

16 snips
Sep 18, 2025
Sir Vince Cable, former Secretary of State for Business and leader of the Liberal Democrats, shares his insights on the UK's economic struggles. He discusses how short-termism in politics has led to a broken system, highlighting key failures from both major parties. Vince debates the future of the Lib Dems, advocates for proportional representation, and critiques ongoing political accountability issues, specifically regarding Liz Truss. He also emphasizes the need for decentralization and examines the global competition with superpowers like China and the US.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Country At A Possible Political Turning Point

  • Vince Cable warns we may be at a major historical political turning point similar to the 1920s realignment.
  • He suggests Reform and the Lib Dems could emerge as two dominant parties from current upheaval.
INSIGHT

Succession Of Shocks Broke Momentum

  • Cable lists shocks: the 2008 financial crisis, Brexit, the pandemic, and the Ukraine war as cumulative blows.
  • He argues the sequence left the country weary, disillusioned, and directionless.
ADVICE

Honesty Over Electoral Promises

  • Be honest with the public about limited options and avoid overpromising policy outcomes.
  • Acknowledge fiscal constraints and explain trade-offs instead of selling impossible promises.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app