What's it like to run Belgium for a decade? How many people in the EU actually believe in 'ever-closer union'? What are the pros and cons of being a career politician? What was so stupid about David Cameron's decision t call a Brexit Referendum? On today's episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by former Belgium prime minister and advocate of a federal Europe, Guy Verhofstadt, to answer all these questions and more. 08/01/204 TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, join our Discord chatroom, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com 00:00 Intro 1:43 Belgian politics 7:08 Childhood 8:48 How should politicians conduct themselves? 12:00 From Libertarian to Progressive Globalist 15:30 Recognising Colonial History 17:37 Migration Crisis 22:07 Conservative Leaders 25:35 Worries Concerning Proportional Representation 27:50 British Political Malaise 30:20 British Media 32:05 When politics gets personal 35:50 When will Britain rejoin the EU? 38:40 The EU Dream 43:05 Optimism 44:50 Practical skills in Politics