High Five with Sir Vince Cable | Eclipsing the West | Ep 47

[00:00:00] I have a section called High Five India. Quick questions. India for you in one word. Wonderful. Love it. What is it about India that Britain and the world does not get? Well, it doesn't get how the underlying dynamism and energy. It was once described as anarchy that works. People see the anarchy, they don't see the working.

[00:00:28] Do you think there is still colonial hangover in Westminster? There's a bit of it, I think. The generation of people who were active when Britain ruled India, they've all died out. So in that direct connection, that's long since gone. I think a lot of people still haven't woken up to how big and relatively successful India has become.

[00:00:55] And see all the negatives and don't see the positives. I think there's an element of that. And a sort of nostalgia for a world which has long gone. I mean, the uncomfortable truth is that Britain had a very negative effect on Indian development, particularly in the 19th, early 20th centuries. The economy didn't grow more than the population.

[00:01:21] India in 1947 was in a pretty desperate state. And the British have responsibility for that. Warm nostalgia isn't quite the right emotion. Since we are talking of Britain, if today the world was sitting at the dinner table, where would Britain be? It's a middle power. We should stop trying to pretend to be a great, being a successful middle power. And Britain has a lot of good things going for it.

[00:01:50] It's where we are. Stop being pretentious. Britain made a terrible mistake when it left the European Union. We're in a weaker position and gradually that problem is going to have to be sorted out. But I think, provided we're realistic about our strengths and weaknesses, the country can go forward. The mood at the moment is awful and negative.

[00:02:15] There's a lot of self-flagellation going on, which isn't totally justified. I love my country. I wouldn't live anywhere else. I see a lot of positive things. But we're no longer a great power. We should stop trying to be one. Yes, it does. That will help mental health with member parliaments. Do you think it's tough on MPs? Well, it's a very stressful life. It can be a stressful life. I mean, of course, a lot of MPs don't do very much.

[00:02:44] As in other professions, they coast along, they've got a safe seat. But I think if you take it seriously and you really try to help your constituents and you also try to take a high profile on topical issues, on legislation and campaigns, then you run into quite a lot of hostility and you've got to be strong enough to deal with that.

[00:03:08] There are 650 almost MPs. They vary enormously. Some are utterly useless, some are wonderful. One thing I would say about people in politics is that for the most part, the people that are out of public service, you know, there are some scandals. But the vast majority are always... Yes, they want to do good. They want to do good and suffer from being constantly belittled. Yes, I do agree that.

[00:03:37] Until they're all corrupt or something. It's not even remotely like that. No, no, I totally agree. What has your wife of Goan descent taught you about India, which you could not find? I discovered that, you know, even Goan Christians have caste. And there's certain aspects of Indianness that never go away.

[00:04:01] I know, and I met lovely Rachel. You still wear two rings. I found that fascinating. Yes, well, I've had... One of the great joys of my life is I've had two very happy messages to two wonderful women and I'm grateful for that. Absolutely beautiful and brilliant. What is Sir Vince Cable, now retired from politics, joyfully does?

[00:04:26] Well, I think I have a very positive view on life. I'm 83 coming up, but I've got a vast agenda of things I want to do. Building on this work on China and India, I'm involved in businesses which are struggling, but I hope to make a success of. I spend a lot of time trying to keep fit. Dancing?

[00:04:50] I do my weekly dancing lessons. So I'm trying to be a 50 year old in an 83 year old body, which is... It's a challenge, but it keeps me going. Would you still get a 10 in ballroom dancing in your practice? Yeah, I did. I had a dancing exam last year and I didn't get 10 out of 10, but it was highly commended. If there was any dance that would describe the relationship where we are, what would the world be doing now?

[00:05:20] Well, it's very difficult to say, but my favourite is the Foxtrot, which is kind of elegant. I'm learning the Argentine Tango, which I absolutely love. And it's much more free flowing and expressive and less rehearsed in a way. I think the world is doing Paso Doble at the moment.

[00:05:48] Yeah, so that's one I'm not good at. Great. Should we do a high five? Fabulous. Thank you very, very much. I've had the most illuminating conversation and I must say that so much that I heard and I learned, you are a very, very open and a very, very balanced. Well, that's very kind. Thank you. And I've absolutely enjoyed it. Thank you very much, Sir Vince Cable That's right.