John Humphrys fumes in GMB debate over generational divides

John Humphrys discusses generational respect on GMB

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Veteran journalist John Humphrys joined the discussion to explain how he feels older people’s views are often dismissed simply because of their age. As Good Morning Britain guest, writer Olivia Petter, argued generations should show more “compassion” to each other rather than commanding respect, John hit back to argue previous generations had sparked progressive change for younger people.

As presenters Rob Rinder and Charlotte Hawkins introduced the topic of intergenerational rifts and respect, the two guests argued different sides of the argument.

Olivia stated that the younger generation is more progressive and gave the example of how, historically, women were unable to have abortions.

The comment seemed to prompt John to quickly hit back as he argued: “There are people of my generation who changed the world.”

He added: “Yes, Olivia is absolutely right, there was a time when I was a young man when it was virtually impossible for a woman to get an abortion.

“There was a time when it was a criminal offence for one man to sleep with another man.

“We, Olivia, we – my generation – changed all that. This is a much more tolerant, inclusive world than it was.

“And yes, I have massive respect for my parents, of course, but in today’s terms and by today’s standards, they were probably racist because they never met anybody.

“We were desperately poor. We lived in a white slum. They never met any black people in those days.

“It was long before Windrush and all the rest of it, but they changed things and they changed them massively.”

Later, Olivia commented: “The idea of, ‘Respect your elders against all odds’ is quite an archaic idea in and of itself.”

“And I never said that!” John quickly interjected.

Olivia continued: “I think the issue with that is it’s quite one way I think what we need to do is actually call for more compassion between the generations because I think we’re kind of in this world where we really pit generations against each other.

“You know, there are all these stereotypes about boomers and millennials and Gen Z, and it’s all this kind of culture of competitiveness and superiority where everyone thinks that they know more than the other.

“And what happens is that we lack these really important conversations with compassion that would help drive progression and change and I think a lot of it is actually probably about ego that prevents people from having these healthy conversations about how the world has changed and how we can adapt.”

Rob chimed: “But isn’t it the case when comes to younger people who call for compassion, and you see it on the Twitter bios, ‘I believe in compassion,’ when actually, what that means is, ‘Listen to me, because I know more as a younger person.’

“It’s a disingenuous thing. There is a lack of respect for generations like John’s.

“To be clear, John, you didn’t say that, but I’m going to say it for you and I hope you don’t mind. I suspect you say it better than me.”

A smiling John urged Rob to “say it” as the barrister continued: “John, you were born 1943, right?”

“I was, and look, I’m going to be 80 this year. Well, next year.

“I don’t want people to treat me with compassion, by the way.

“You know, sorry, Olivia, nothing personal but I do not seek or want compassion! I just want to be treated like anybody else.”

Rob went on: “Well, like anybody else but also an element of respect.

“The idea that you don’t grow, pick up wisdom, and that younger generation can with respect and learn from that.

“One of the things that I’ve experienced in the last week, for instance, is listening to young people.

“Brilliant though they are at a number of things, and I can learn a huge amount from them and that’s not compassion, it’s common sense to listen, but my question is that generation, the ones that fought like John’s parents or grandparents and great, great grandparents, they fought for our freedom.

“There’s a generation that I listen to that have no understanding, no respect, no, frankly, grounding in that history.”

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.

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