On Thursday 26 June 2025, Salisbury Cathedral hosted the Edward Heath Annual Lecture — this year delivered by former Prime Minister Sir John Major, in an event introduced by Gyles Brandreth and followed by an in‑conversation session with Angela Rippon. The lecture, titled “The Changing Political Landscape at Home and Abroad: A Reality Check,” drew an audience of over 700, spanning MPs, dignitaries, locals, students, and members of the public.
All photographs are by John Rose Photography and remain © John Rose Photography.
Global Powers and Rising Uncertainty
Major opened with a reflection on our ever‑shifting world, likening global geopolitics to a fractured jigsaw puzzle — once stable, now unpredictable. He acknowledged America and China as dominant forces, yet neither offering a dependable path forward. The rise of non‑democratic leadership, from Xi Jinping to Donald Trump — and the resurgence of the far Right in Europe — signalled what he called “a world of uncertainties”.
Aid Cuts, Defence, and the Cost of Conflict
Direct and unflinching, Major denounced recent cuts to overseas aid as “short‑sighted and callous.” He warned that shifting budgets from care to defence would result in devastating fallout for the world’s most vulnerable — and increased migration pressures.
He placed responsibility squarely on Putin’s invasion of Ukraine: “It has erased the global peace dividend the West enjoyed after the fall of the Soviet Union,” he said. The military aggression, he concluded, will push many nations to reinforce their defence at the expense of humanitarian assistance.
Analysis of American Leadership Under Trump
Sir John Major sharply criticised President Trump’s approach to international relations. From unilateral decisions—like withdrawing from global agreements—to overtures towards dictators, Major argued that America’s global role is changing fundamentally. He warned that Trump’s unpredictability emboldens rival regimes and undermines global stability:
“Government by threat will create resentment and chaos. It will not create calm.”
Returning to Europe and Bolstering Diplomacy
In a pointed rebuke of UK policy post‑Brexit, Major dismissed the supposed benefits of leaving the EU as “as elusive as Lord Lucan”, urging instead that the UK should re‑engage with the single market. He closed with a heartfelt plea for diplomacy, moral purpose, and international cooperation — a message resonant with the legacy of Edward Heath, a strong advocate for Britain’s place in Europe.
A Closer Look: Full Transcript Available
For those wanting the complete detail, the full transcript of Sir John Major’s address—“The Changing Political Landscape at Home and Abroad: A Reality Check”—is available via the John Major Archive johnmajorarchive.org.uk+6johnmajorarchive.org.uk+6arundells.org+6.
In Conversation with Angela Rippon
Following the speech, the audience engaged Sir John Major in conversation with broadcaster Angela Rippon. Topics ranged widely but remained anchored by Major’s calls for stronger global collaboration and renewed moral clarity in the face of rising authoritarianism.
Final Reflections
In an era marked by geopolitical fragmentation, investment in defence over aid, and a retreat from multilateral cooperation, Sir John Major’s lecture offered a timely—and troubling—diagnosis. His admonition that a world driven by national self-interest, devoid of empathy and moral purpose, could lead us to “a rules‑based order being replaced by Kipling’s law of the jungle” resonates profoundly as we look ahead.
For a thoughtful exploration of where we stand—and how we might recalibrate our priorities—read the full transcript and reflect alongside one of Britain’s most respected statesmen.
