Podcast Summary: Ep 250 | 'Britain Is a Failed State': PM Truss BLASTS UK's Decline | The Glenn Beck Podcast
Released on March 22, 2025, "The Glenn Beck Program" features a candid and incisive conversation between host Glenn Beck and former United Kingdom Prime Minister Liz Truss. This episode delves deep into the decline of the UK under her leadership, the challenges posed by entrenched bureaucracies, media influence, and the broader implications for Western democracies.
1. Liz Truss's Sudden Rise to Power
Glenn Beck opens the discussion by highlighting the rapid ascent and equally swift departure of Liz Truss from the role of Prime Minister. He remarks on the tumultuous nature of her tenure and its historical significance.
Glenn Beck [00:34]: "The shortest serving prime minister in British history says she wants to be part of the second American revolution."
Liz Truss explains the unexpected nature of her rise, attributing it to a faction within the Conservative MPs determined to oust Boris Johnson. She emphasizes her grassroots campaign driven by frustration over prolonged Conservative governance that, in her view, deviated from true Conservative principles.
Liz Truss [01:21]: "I was campaigning on the hoof... Being clear, a man is a man and a woman is a woman getting on with fracking, cutting taxes."
2. Battles with Bureaucracy and the Deep State
Truss recounts her struggles against the entrenched bureaucratic systems, which she refers to as the "deep state," mirroring concerns often voiced in American political discourse.
Liz Truss [03:16]: "The deep state has had longer to embed itself in Britain. But given that, I wanted to take them on, and that's what I did."
She highlights the lack of support from Conservative MPs and the hostile media landscape that contributed to her downfall, particularly pointing fingers at the Bank of England and mainstream media's role in undermining her policies.
Liz Truss [03:51]: "The mainstream media were used to put pressure on me... Britain is heading for bankruptcy."
3. Economic Policies and Their Fallout
Truss criticizes the economic policies implemented during her tenure, focusing on high taxes, immigration, and energy policies. She argues that these policies led to economic decline, increased taxation without corresponding revenue, and a mass exodus of millionaires from the UK.
Liz Truss [05:48]: "The Laffer Curve tells us that if you raise Taxes too much, the revenues don't come in. And that is exactly what is happening."
She connects these economic missteps to broader systemic failures, suggesting that the Labor government's subsequent policies exacerbated the UK's financial instability.
4. Media Control and Censorship in the UK
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around media influence in the UK. Truss criticizes the BBC's dominance, asserting that 68% of British people rely on it for information, thereby stifling independent media voices.
Liz Truss [21:43]: "68% of people in Britain get their information from the BBC. So it's still very dominant."
She laments the lack of free speech and the suppression of critical issues like grooming gangs, which mainstream media allegedly downplays or misrepresents.
Liz Truss [23:33]: "People are being punished more harshly for posting things on Facebook and Twitter than they are for committing crimes. And that is an outrage."
5. The Grooming Gangs Scandal
Truss brings to light the grievous issue of grooming gangs in the UK, criticizing the government's inadequate response and the complicity of authorities in covering up these crimes.
Liz Truss [24:58]: "People are horrified by what has happened. Tens of thousands of girls being raped as young as 11 and 12 and being tortured."
She accuses the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, of collusion with the police and other officials in undermining investigations and failing to initiate a national inquiry.
6. Global Elites and the Influence of Technocracy
The discussion shifts to the influence of global elites and technocratic networks, with Truss pointing fingers at entities like the World Economic Forum and figures like Mark Carney. She argues that these groups prioritize technocratic control over democratic principles, undermining national sovereignty.
Liz Truss [14:34]: "Technocracy... they fundamentally believe that government should be run by experts who know best, which is them and their friends."
She ties this to broader cultural and political shifts, including the rise of Islamism and anti-Western sentiments.
7. Comparisons with American Politics
Truss draws parallels between the UK's situation and the United States under Donald Trump, suggesting that both nations face similar challenges from entrenched bureaucracies and media control. She expresses hope that movements like Trump's can inspire similar revolutions in Europe.
Liz Truss [35:28]: "Patriots, but that's not what they were anymore."
She advocates for the creation of independent media networks and events akin to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) to galvanize conservative movements in the UK and Europe.
8. Future Outlook and Hope for Western Democracies
Concluding the conversation, Truss remains cautiously optimistic about the future. She emphasizes the need for grassroots movements, independent media, and a rekindled sense of patriotism to counteract the decline she perceives.
Liz Truss [66:55]: "We do not have an independent media, we don't have a British CPAC. These are all the things we need to."
She underscores the importance of rebuilding national industrial bases and reducing dependency on global elites to ensure sovereignty and economic stability.
Key Takeaways
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Systemic Decline: Liz Truss positions the UK as a "failed state," attributing its decline to high taxes, poor energy policies, and uncontrolled immigration.
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Bureaucratic Resistance: She argues that an entrenched deep state and mainstream media resistance were primary obstacles to her reformative policies.
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Media Domination: The BBC's overwhelming influence is cited as a barrier to independent voices and free speech in the UK.
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Cultural and Political Shifts: Truss links the UK's challenges to global trends of technocracy, Islamism, and anti-Western ideologies, drawing parallels with American political struggles.
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Call to Action: Emphasizing the need for grassroots movements, independent media, and pro-democracy initiatives to reverse the perceived decline.
Notable Quotes
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Liz Truss [05:34]: "The bank of England has her back... Britain is heading for bankruptcy."
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Liz Truss [14:34]: "Technocracy... they fundamentally believe that government should be run by experts who know best, which is them and their friends."
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Liz Truss [23:33]: "Everything from the grooming gangs to climate change and Net zero... people are being punished more harshly for posting things on Facebook and Twitter than they are for committing crimes."
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Liz Truss [35:28]: "Patriots, but that's not what they were anymore."
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Liz Truss [66:55]: "We do not have an independent media, we don't have a British CPAC. These are all the things we need to."
This episode offers a critical perspective on the UK's political and economic landscape, reflecting broader concerns about democratic erosion, media influence, and the rise of technocratic governance. For listeners seeking an in-depth analysis of these issues from a former head of government, this conversation provides valuable insights and contentious viewpoints.
