John Major has warned that democracy worldwide is at risk due to Donald Trump’s isolationist approach in the US and the potential rise of China as a global power. The former UK prime minister, who seldom comments on current politics, spoke on BBC Radio 4, calling Trump’s presidency unprecedented and cautioning that America could regret giving up its leadership role to a more autocratic regime.

Major, who served as prime minister from 1990 to 1997, also criticized US Vice President JD Vance for being hypocritical and “not statesmanlike” for lecturing Europe on free speech while maintaining ties with Russia under Vladimir Putin.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that democracy is under threat. It has been in decline for the last 18 years, with a dangerous rise in nationalism, mostly from the intolerant right,” Major said. “The major nations—America, China, and Russia—are now acting unilaterally, which was not the case before. This is a real concern, as it signals potentially serious and unpleasant changes.”

Reflecting on Trump’s leadership, Major said, “This form of presidency is unprecedented,” and warned against the US president making concessions to Russia, especially in the context of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. “If Russia claims a victory, China and the world will notice, including every authoritarian leader,” he added. “If America doesn’t support its allies as it has in the past, we’re entering a much more dangerous world.”

Major expressed concern that the US may be turning its back on international responsibilities, with no nation capable of replacing it except China. “That is not something the West would want to see,” he said. “If that happens, the world, including America, may regret the consequences.”

Major also slammed Vance’s recent speech at the Munich Security Conference, where the vice president suggested that free speech erosion in Europe posed a greater threat than Russia or China. “This is not what we expect from the leading nation of the free world,” Major said. “It sends a dangerous message. It’s absurd to lecture Europe on democracy while cozying up to Putin, whose regime silences dissent with violence or disappearance.”

Asked why he decided to speak out, Major explained, “I believe former prime ministers should generally stay out of politics, but sometimes there are things that need to be said, which may be difficult for current politicians to express.”