UKIP Uncovered

UKIP Uncovered
What motivates the leaders of the United Kingdom Independence Party?

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Why did Farage not reveal Barrot's past on Monday 15th November?

It is reported on the site of UKIP speeches linked here, that Nigel Farage chose to speak on the Belgian Vlaam Bloks party at the beginning of the recent Strasbourg Plenary session, ie on Monday15th November.

Only on 18th November did he rise to reveal the past background of the EU Commissioner nominated by France: Mr Jacques Barrot, and then only minutes before the crucial vote on the parliament's approval of the entire new EU commission. Perhaps the most crucial vote of all the MEP's five year elected term (a vote UKIP's Party Leader Roger Knapman chose not to attend, albeit presumably aware of the delayed and therefore much neutered bombshell his group's co-leader was due to deliver).

Later when challenged about the accuracy of his statement Farage asserted the following:-

"I would like to make it perfectly clear that I did not make these comments without having done substantial research."

Now it must be up to each reader to decide what might be considered substantial research when making an allegation of the nature of that put out by this particular UKIP MEP. Possibly he had not got all the facts to hand when he first addressed the Parliament on the Monday of that same week, although many might consider the use of the word 'substantial' would require more effort than that possible over a mere three days.

Certainly some of his fellow UKIP MEPs are reported to have known of the nature of the allegations against Mr Barrot ahead of Farage rising to make his Thursday speech, making UKIP Leader Knapman's non-attendance in Parliament for the crucial speech and vote seem ever more incredible!

Why then were the important facts not made known to the parliament much earlier, giving other MEPs and party groupings as much time as possible to consider the serious implications of the facts and time to decide whether or not to maintain a positive vote for the Barroso Commission?

Incredible as it may seem, since I first raised the question of the poor timing of Farage's revelation, attempts have been made by some to justify his delay by suggesting that having a known corrupt commissioner in place will somehow enhance the euro-sceptic cause.

This is true absurdity. Some may not approve of the NHS but would they condone the employment of incompetent foreign doctors? Even though EU Commissioners and their functions might not be to UKIP's taste, they are funded publicly and expend vast amounts of taxpayers' money - surely all MEPs should be determined to ensure those chosen are as honest, competent and reliable as possible. It is after all one of the few real functions presently assigned to the body of hugely expensed and well paid EU parliamentarians.

Nigel Farage and Roger Knapman come away from this incident looking every inch the cheap, unprincipled and opportunistic characters this blog has been showing them to be for many months past.

Is it not time for Britain's eurorealistic majority to wake up to their true natures and demand a change?

posted by Martin |10:48 AM