A step too far

I enjoy a good orator and like watching prime minister question time. We do not have anything similar in France and wish we had. I think it brings out the best and worst in the sparing partners. Although sometimes the words are strong, I have never felt that opponents disrespected each other or used personal attacks.

The same cannot be said from publicity seeking Nigel Farage from UKIP. Mind you UKIP needs as much publicity as they can. Mr Farage’s recent rant at Herman Van Rompuy, the EU president was very personal and insulting. I do know the strong feelings that Mr Farage’s party has against the European Community but there is a limit that he crossed. His words, not widely reported in UK, were:

“I don’t want to be rude,” he began.”But you know, really, you have the charisma of a damp rag and the appearance of a low grade bank clerk.

The question that I want to ask and that we are all going to ask is: who are you? I had never heard of you; nobody in Europe had ever heard of you. I would like to ask you, Mr President: who voted for you? And what mechanism – I know democracy is not popular with you lot – what mechanism do the peoples of Europe have to remove you? Is this European democracy?

Sir, you have no legitimacy in this job at all, and I can say with confidence that I can speak on behalf of the majority of the British people in saying: we do not know you, we do not want you, and the sooner you are put out to grass, the better.”

Does he really speak on behalf of the majority of British people? Maybe against the European Community but I hope not in his choice of words and tone.