Youngsters of today inheriting more difficult world than my generation: Ex-UK PM John Major

Former United Kingdom prime minister John Major has said that young people today are inheriting "a more difficult world" than previous generations did.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Major reflected on politics, leadership, and the long-term challenges facing younger generations.

Leave something better for the next generation

Major, who served as UK's prime minister from 1990 to 1997 after Margaret Thatcher, before being succeeded by Tony Blair, said he believes the first responsibility of any government is to improve conditions for future generations.

"The first role of any government, in my view, is to leave something better for the next generation than your generation inherited," he said in the interview.

However, he added that this is no longer happening.

"The youngsters of today are inheriting a more difficult world and a less favourable world for them than my generation," he said.

"All they are doing is saying to my children and your children and their grandchildren; 'tough luck chaps, we're not only leaving you a difficult economy with too many old people that you can't afford to care for, we are going to leave you with climate change that we should have put right for you and didn't'."

Major also warned that future generations could face similar or worse conditions unless governments begin taking long-term problems more seriously.

"It's not a game show"

The former prime minister also criticised the state of modern politics, saying it had become overly focused on media attention and personal ambition.

"It’s not a game show," he said. "You’re not just there to provide fodder for the media and project your own career."

Instead, he said politicians should focus on solving real problems faced by ordinary people.

"We send representatives to parliament to make sure our lives are better," he said, adding that governments fail when they ignore or deny major issues.

Concerns over cost of living, housing & global instability

Major’s remarks come as younger people in many countries continue to face concerns over rising living costs, housing affordability, climate change, and economic uncertainty.

The BBC interview was part of a broader discussion on the state of British politics and the future direction of government.

Top image via Reuters