Politics UK
Do Protests Actually Work? – TLDR Explains
A couple weeks ago around a million people headed to London to protest Brexit. It made a big splash in the media, but realistically it’s not going to stop Brexit from happening. So we discuss the purpose of protests and why people actually take part.
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TLDR is all about getting you up to date with the news of today, without bias and without filter. We want to give you the information you need, so you can make your own decision.
TLDR is a super small company, run by one person with the help of some amazing volunteers. We are 100% fan sourced with all of our funding coming from donations and ad revenue. No shady corporations, no one telling us what to say. We can’t wait to grow further and help more people get informed. Help support us by subscribing, following and backing on Patreon. Thanks!
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Politics UK
COVID Regulation Turn Britain into an Orwellian Dystopia? Government Has Too Much Power? – TLDR News
Daily Briefing YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tldrdaily
Daily Briefing Newsletter: https://www.tldrnews.co.uk/daily
Daily Briefing Podcast: https://anchor.fm/dailybriefing
Yesterday’s Briefing: https://youtu.be/UEqr1ahGLz8
Coronavirus Act Renewed: https://youtu.be/EPPgLi_H8zI
In recent weeks many people have grown frustrated by the government’s COVID regulations, leading some (even within their own party) to reject what they see as government power grabs. Some have even compared COVID Britain to the world portrayed in George Orwell’s 1984. So in this video, we discuss the new powers the government has, why some people are angry about them and whether we really are getting a bit 1984.
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TLDR TeeSpring Store: https://teespring.com/stores/tldr-summer-2020
Support TLDR on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/tldrnews
Donate by PayPal: https://tldrnews.co.uk/funding
TLDR is all about getting you up to date with the news of today, without bias and without filter. We want to give you the information you need, so you can make your own decision.
TLDR is a super small company, run by a few people with the help of some amazing volunteers. We are primarily fan sourced with most of our funding coming from donations and ad revenue. No shady corporations, no one telling us what to say. We can’t wait to grow further and help more people get informed. Help support us by subscribing, following and backing on Patreon. Thanks!
////////////////////////////////////////
1 – https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/15/us-election-what-a-trump-or-biden-victory-could-mean-for-britain?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=fb_us&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1602758103
2 – https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/ouulj/blog/2020/05/coronavirus-act-2020-unprecedented-powers-are-they-necessary
3 – https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/coronavirus-fine-police-lockdown-travel-newcastle-marie-dinou-a9444186.html
4 – https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/buying-wine-amongst-reasons-people-18064286
5 – https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/30/overzealous-police-use-coronavirus-powers-charge-shoppers-buying/
6 – https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/kit-malthouse-police-neighbours-break-social-gathering-rules-a4546696.html
7 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWtLoKauNqc
8 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIeHIt0jtS4
source
Politics UK
Burnham’s First Budget Explained
Pre-order a copy of Too Long: toolong.news/TL010
Sign Up for TLDR Party: https://toolong.news/party
TLDR Party Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVXXC3jk4Kg
Chancellor John Healey delivered his budget yesterday, the first of the new Burnham government, but it was not as radical as many may have assumed. So in this video we’ll explain some key points within the budget and discuss them with a Treasury Minister.
📰 Too Long: https://toolong.news/
🎉 TLDR Party: https://toolong.news/pages/tldr-party
📖 Read our Manifesto: https://tldrnews.co.uk/manifesto
Our mission is to explain news and politics in an impartial, efficient, and accessible way, balancing import and interest while fostering independent thought.
TLDR is a completely independent & privately owned media company that’s not afraid to tackle the issues we think are most important. The channel is run by a small group of young people, with us hoping to pass on our enthusiasm for politics to other young people. We are primarily fan sourced with most of our funding coming from donations and ad revenue. No shady corporations, no one telling us what to say. We can’t wait to grow further and help more people get informed. Help support us by subscribing, engaging and sharing. Thanks!
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Politics UK
Should Burnham Call an Election?
Pre-order a copy of Too Long: toolong.news/TL010
Andymonium podcast: youtube.com/@TLDRpodcasts
We take a look at whether Burnham should call an election, the rumours swirling about the different groups pushing him to, and ultimately, whether it looks likely that he will.
📰 Too Long: https://toolong.news/
🎉 TLDR Party: https://toolong.news/pages/tldr-party
📖 Read our Manifesto: https://tldrnews.co.uk/manifesto
Our mission is to explain news and politics in an impartial, efficient, and accessible way, balancing import and interest while fostering independent thought.
TLDR is a completely independent & privately owned media company that’s not afraid to tackle the issues we think are most important. The channel is run by a small group of young people, with us hoping to pass on our enthusiasm for politics to other young people. We are primarily fan sourced with most of our funding coming from donations and ad revenue. No shady corporations, no one telling us what to say. We can’t wait to grow further and help more people get informed. Help support us by subscribing, engaging and sharing. Thanks!
Sources:
Polling:
YouGov Should There Be an Early Election
https://yougov.com/en-gb/daily-results/20260825-b375e-1
More in Common Latest MRP Poll:
Wikipedia Voting Intention:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_next_United_Kingdom_general_election#
PollCheck Party Favourability Ratings:
https://www.pollcheck.co.uk/favourability-ratings
Ipsos Latest Voter Intention:
https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/labour-now-lead-8-points-conservatives-second-place-latest-voting-intention-polling
YouGov Latest Voter Intention:
https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/55781-voting-intention-18-19-october-2026-lab-27-con-23-ref-22-ld-11-grn-10
Explainers:
Institute for Government Does Andy Burnham Have a Mandate?
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/does-andy-burnham-have-mandate
News Articles:
The Guardian No General Election Before 2029, Andy Burnham Says
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/sep/25/no-snap-election-before-2029-andy-burnham-says
The Independent – Andy Burnham Could Call a General Election as Early as May:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/next-general-election-early-vote-kemi-badenoch-andy-burnham-may-2027-b3060208.html
The iPaper – Burnham Leaving the Door Open to Snap General Election in May:
Burnham leaving the door open to snap general election in May 2027
Politics UK
Why the UK is Looking Surprisingly Functional
Take back your privacy – start using Proton Mail for free: http://proton.me/tldr
Things are looking pretty bleak around the world at the moment… but look beneath the curtain, and the UK is actually doing pretty okay. In this video, we’re going to go through a few reasons how the UK is doing well and why it’s become surprisingly functional.
📰 Too Long: https://toolong.news/
🎉 TLDR Party: https://toolong.news/pages/tldr-party
📖 Read our Manifesto: https://tldrnews.co.uk/manifesto
Our mission is to explain news and politics in an impartial, efficient, and accessible way, balancing import and interest while fostering independent thought.
TLDR is a completely independent & privately owned media company that’s not afraid to tackle the issues we think are most important. The channel is run by a small group of young people, with us hoping to pass on our enthusiasm for politics to other young people. We are primarily fan sourced with most of our funding coming from donations and ad revenue. No shady corporations, no one telling us what to say. We can’t wait to grow further and help more people get informed. Help support us by subscribing, engaging and sharing. Thanks!
SOURCES
Simon French UK Economic Growth Data
https://x.com/Frencheconomics/status/2110613530978537925/photo/1
BBC News UK Growth Forecast Upgraded
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmglw0r21zexo
Mark Pack Historical UK Polling
https://www.markpack.org.uk/opinion-polls/
More in Common Joint Conservative and Labour Polling
https://x.com/LukeTryl/status/2112218076385046539/photo/1
YouGov Belief in Major Parties
https://x.com/YouGov/status/2113230495370686546/photo/1
Migrant Observatory Why Have Small Boat Arrivals Declined?
https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/commentaries/qa-why-have-small-boat-arrivals-declined-in-2026/
The Times 211,000 Small-Boat Arrivals in 8 Years
https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/211000-small-boat-arrivals-in-eight-years-where-are-they-now-fbj50gbps
BMA NHS Backlog Data
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/nhs-delivery-and-workforce/pressures/nhs-backlog-data-analysis
Inside Out Justice Prison Capacity Data
https://insideoutjustice.com/statistics
00:00 – Introduction
01:26 – Economy Looking Better
02:07 – Two-Party System
04:35 – Avoiding Crises
06:29 – Conclusion
06:56 – Proton Mail
source
Politics UK
The Conservative Comeback Explained
Take back your privacy – start using Proton Mail for free: http://proton.me/tldr
In this video, we’re going to have a look into the rise of the Conservatives, how this has happened, and whether it’s likely to continue.
📰 Too Long: https://toolong.news/
🎉 TLDR Party: https://toolong.news/pages/tldr-party
📖 Read our Manifesto: https://tldrnews.co.uk/manifesto
Our mission is to explain news and politics in an impartial, efficient, and accessible way, balancing import and interest while fostering independent thought.
TLDR is a completely independent & privately owned media company that’s not afraid to tackle the issues we think are most important. The channel is run by a small group of young people, with us hoping to pass on our enthusiasm for politics to other young people. We are primarily fan sourced with most of our funding coming from donations and ad revenue. No shady corporations, no one telling us what to say. We can’t wait to grow further and help more people get informed. Help support us by subscribing, engaging and sharing. Thanks!
SOURCES
Articles
The Guardian Kemi Badenoch Tells Tories Not to Expect Policy Plans for Two Years
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/08/kemi-badenoch-tells-tories-dont-expect-big-policy-plans-for-two-years
BBC News Why Tories are Talking About Winning the Next Election
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6ly02ry5982o
Sam Freedman The Three Big Problems with the Tories’ New Strategy
https://samf.substack.com/p/the-three-big-problems-with-the-tories
Polls
PollCheck UK Leader Approval Ratings
https://www.pollcheck.co.uk/favourability-ratings
YouGov Voting Intention
https://yougov.com/en-gb/trackers/voting-intention
YouGov How Well is Kemi Badenoch Doing as Conservative Leader
https://yougov.com/en-gb/trackers/kemi-badenoch-as-leader
YouGov How Do Britons See the Conservatives?
https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/55673-how-do-britons-see-the-conservatives-and-kemi-badenoch-ahead-of-the-partys-2026-conference
YouGov How Do Britons See Reform UK?
https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/55472-how-do-britons-see-reform-uk-and-nigel-farage-ahead-of-the-partys-2026-conference
More in Common Can Badenoch Turn the Conservatives Around?
https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Conservative-Deck-2026-2-1.pdf
Ipsos Conservatives Seen as Main Opposition to Labour for First Time
https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/conservatives-seen-main-opposition-labour-first-time-parliament
Politico Poll of Polls
https://www.politico.eu/europe-poll-of-polls/united-kingdom/
More in Common Vote Considerers Polling
https://x.com/LukeTryl/status/2112093013128421616
Other
More in Common Seven Segments
YouGov Is there a “Keminaissance”?
https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/55333-is-there-a-keminaissance
0:00 The Conservative Comeback Explained
6:35 Sponsor
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@midnightlycanroc7805
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
I want to disagree but I don't know I'm very confused, I hear different opinions on the topic. Some people say that protesting helped us have freedom. But now you're saying that it's not effective. Maybe in "some" ways it's not affective. So maybe it's 50/50?
@connorschultz380
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
52% +87% +89%
…….. we have a problem here
@MrStarsuicide
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
No
@ThePavelkomin
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Watch as many adverts as possible *ad plays *
@ffwr-109
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
For what they are protesting about I say yes
@fe6767
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
I may have missed it, but I thought one of the reasons people go to protests is to get a feeling of belonging. Another may be a way to make yourself feel like you are taking part in political action for people who are not politicians or activists (especially in the days before comment sections on websites).
@SoulOnTopJB
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Wasn't the Poll Tax demos not successful?
@AnneH1021
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Advertising is okay but this one gets a bit annoying… please. 🙂
@MasalaMan
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Nobody ever thinks about being informed before they vote.
@idkmachining6892
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
I understand how you make money, and the model, but can't you just throw a subscribe link in there somewhere instead of starting every interesting video with annoying promotion. I suspect there's a good reason tv shows don't start with an advert during the opening credits…just saying
@hadrianbuiltawall9531
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
How many people protested the poll tax introduction?
@MagiconIce
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
IRA watches this video
"Protests historically haven't changed much".
IRA: Alright, we go back to arms, we prevent Backstop by reuniting Northern Ireland with Ireland by force!
@mathurindorel8444
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
-1 for invasive advertising, it's really too much and even in the way of the conclusion…
@iyayan_
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
"If you know that, on your own, attending a protest won't make any difference, then why attend at all?"
Greta Thunberg says hello.
@dulio12385
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
The main difference between voting and protesting is that the former is legally binding on the state while the latter is as obligatory as a fart in a bottle.
@canutelyking6038
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Protesting Algerians toppled their President, Indonesian's toppled Suharto, Filipono's toppled Marcos, Iranians toppled the Shah, Venezuelans will topple Maduro. They were/are sustained protests, like French gilet jaune protesters in France. You won't change anything with one event. Most UK protesters are a bunch of virtue signallers who lack any real conviction as to their cause.
@originaluddite
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
A few comments…
– I wonder if it would be useful to look at protest numbers as a proportion of the population at the time they took place and rank them accordingly.
– I feel sure that protest can work but it depends on a number of factors. A key one is how entrenched or powerful is the thing you are seeking to change. If you want to end global pollution then your march may go into the millions yet do nothing. However if you want to get a local parkland saved from turning into a carpark then protests of only a few hundred may well be a key part of a successful campaign (however you will still want your protest to be as big as it can be for the garnering of media and public attention).
– A rather feral activist once told me that 'direct action is the only thing that works'. I suspect however that she (i) was regurgitating doctrine and (ii) relating her own experience of success as someone who had only ever engaged in 'direct action' (in other words confirmation bias). I however am aware of times in which less direct action (lobbying) does indeed work. And with that in mind it may be worth asking whether it would be better for your potential protesters to instead stay home and ring MPs or make written submissions to parliamentary inquires.
– Protests have internal and well as external purposes. This video discusses a sense of satisfaction and, beyond that, it can help bolster the morale of long-term campaigners and keep them involved. It can also allow for networking, which is useful as protests rarely consist of just one homogeneous group. And there's an element of carnival to the larger ones – they can be fun.
– So far I've only talked about action but what about inaction? In other words, refraining from buying products, as in boycotts, or ceasing to work, as in strikes. How effective has history shown these to be?
@davethewave2197
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
If the protest doesn't work you just have to upgrade it to the next version.
Riots. If that still doesn't work, upgrade it again!
Revolution! Now you'll get them
@oktophlo9455
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
I would love to see a global list!
@carmadme
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Four hundred thousand people marched for CND…
They're already dead, They're already dead,
Unless they're willing to act on what they can see…
They're already dead, They're already dead.
If each and every one of us was prepared to fight for more,
To stand against the system that creates the need for war,
The elite would have to run like it's never run before…
They're already dead, They're already dead.
@JoeyXSmith
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Politcal protests in today age don't work, unless money and government influence is behind it. Is a waste of time, which is better spent on something else.
@jellyrcw12
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
This video focuses on individual dynamics too much, does not take into power the effect of collectivism. It is true, your 1 individual vote does not matter that much when dealing with millions of other voters. But the demographics that you represent matter a lot. For example: Rural voters, women voters, under 30 voters, etc. Those are all very important demographics and that is what I try to stress to other potential voters. Also a very famous quote in America about voting: "If your vote doesn't matter then why are they working so hard to prevent it?"
@o0alessandro0o
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
"Rational choice theory assumes that people are rational entities". Well, there's your problem.
@ThisisnotTwitter
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
There were other prominent political figures there giving speeches at the brexit protest. Such as the first minister of Scotland, but we won't mention her as this UK is not a nation of equals.
Can we please stop ignoring the other countries of the UK unless there is some kind of controversy. She is there campaigning for a result what she believes is best for everyone despite it being the worst option for the liklihood of Scottish independence.
The likes of soubry is less prominent. She works for a private business at the moment anyway rather than a political party.
@SabineFranklin
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
And the narrator says, "Its almost as if the guys at TLDR wants you to watch as many videos as possible and also adverts too," and an advert cuts in at 5:33.
@luckerNo01
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Protests brought down the former German Democratic Republic – and that was anything but democratic. Just saying!
@DhampirParadox
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
On voting — my view may differ from many as I live in a country with compulsory voting (Australia). But I think that it’s your right and duty to vote, even if you cast a blank ballot or deface it (every time there’s an election the counting committee always reveals some amusing graffiti eg. like someone adding Beyoncé to the ballot).
If you don’t vote then you have no right to complain about the Government, even those who voted them in have more right to criticise and complain than someone who didn’t bother to have a say.
@danculea7865
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Why people vote:
– civic duty feel-good
– possibility of getting desired outcome / avoiding undesired outcome
– protest or signal discontent regarding the status quo
@bluebelle8823
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
I feel the need to say that Australians get fined if they don't vote and get caught. Thank you to whoever came up with that bullshit.
Also yes to international list.
@Pathfinfer11
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
A protest basically is shouting loudly and getting nothing done. A riot is a violent protest which scares the government into doing something. Conclusion Riot and the government will get the message.
@cryptonative
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Here in Greece protests are the opposite of not effective. They are so effective that the whole country paralizes, same for universities and syndicates.
@purplepenguin43
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
is there channel like tldr news for American politics?
i feel like i know more about Britans current politics then my home country.
@Chrisilch
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
I actually don't want to vote. I want my monarchy back, but I can't have that so I vote anyway (Austria)
@DoubleNN
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
There's another aspect to protests: It's a nice day out.
I was at both the anti-trump protest and the opposite one the following day. They were both lovely summer days where you'd spend the time with like minded people for a common cause. There was a huge difference in atmosphere between the two, but the "day out" feeling was in both.
I also think that there's a inherent human desire to go out in large groups for a common cause that in the past might have expressed itself in the form of armies, but nowadays protests. I'm not entirely sure what I think about that one though,
@johnsmith-vn9cs
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Down bellow.
@whel-auxnavigatesthedystop8709
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
There have been THREE anti-brexit marches. The first one was around 500, 000. Bigger than the anti-Trump one which was a couple of weeks or so later.
@IRiViI
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Subscribing to PewDiePie:
Makes me happy: Check
Regret it if the other party wins: Check
Duty: Check
This analogy helped me to understand it even better =)
@sirenlocated
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
You guys should be knighted for your hard work
@HontasFarmer80
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
3:16 why does that sound so funny when said with a British accent? Is it because we American immagine some older stiff British gent saying it over tea and toast. AS FOR PROTEST MATTERING. THE UNITED STATES PROVIDES EXAMPLES OF HOW THEY CAN. The Boston tea party, the protest that lead to the Boston Massacre, that lead to the Intolerable acts, that lead to the American Revolutionary War (Yes yes "War of independence" in the UK. what what). Then the civil rights movement in the US, the LGBT rights movement. Then there is everything Ghandi did. IT MAY BE THE UK GOVT CARES MOST ABOUT PROTESTERS OUTSIDE THE UK???
@DGPPhysics
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
All protest pro-left showing that UK it's left wing country since the last truly right wing prime minister Churchill.
@TheStile2
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Global list please!
@Suicey
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland and leader of the UK's 3rd biggest party (SNP) was also in attendance but you didn't mention that…
@TheSpeedfreak665
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
The thing is newspapers always overhyped things and I don't always trust the information I get from them. Such as the number of people protesting can be greatly overhyped.
@krisselissan6539
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
In recent cantonal election in Switzerland (namely Zürich and Basel) Green Parties have won a massive amount of new seats, while right-wing and centre parties have consistently lost quite a few seats, which is mostly attributed to the student climate change protests, so I’d say protests definitely do matter.
@britshell
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Progressive love marching because it takes no real effort and they get to yell and make signs.
@JamieB237
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
I can understand people protesting a war but why are people protesting against their own people and what they voted for?!
@CarFreeSegnitz
January 1, 2024 at 5:04 pm
According to a Harvard study a few years ago what the government does has little relation to what the general population wants. Governments almost always do what the financially elite in the respective country want. So long as bribery is a possibility then democracy is at best a facade, at worst an all-out scam.