EU President has the charisma of a damp rag

[Andres]

Ukip's Nigel Farage tells Van Rompuy: You have the charisma of a damp rag.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Ukip MEP Nigel Farage told Herman Van Rompuy, the president of the EU, he had "all the charisma of a damp rag and the appearance of a low-grade bank clerk" in the European parliament yesterday.
Farage, the former leader of the UK Independence party, also dismissed Van Rompuy's homeland, Belgium, as a "non-country".

As well as attacking Van Rompuy's appearance, personality and home nation, Farage also criticised the president's pay packet and accused him of plotting the overthrow of the nation state.
Van Rompuy, who had just made his first speech to MEPs since being appointed by EU leaders to the newly-created top job, sat in amazement and obvious discomfort as the tirade went on. Other MEPs in the less-than-full chamber gasped as Farage spoke.

Afterwards the Socialist leader in the parliament, Germany's Martin Schulz, condemned Farage for "trampling on the dignity of the house".

And Van Rompuy responded that he held Farage's remarks "in contempt", and refused to say more.
Farage – who is challenging the Speaker of the Commons, John Bercow, in Buckingham at the general election – declared: "We were told that when we had a president, we'd see a giant global political figure, a man who would be the political leader for 500 million people, the man that would represent all of us all of us on the world stage, the man whose job was so important that of course you're paid more than President [Barack] Obama."

He continued: "Well, I'm afraid what we got was you ... I don't want to be rude but, really, you have the charisma of a damp rag and the appearance of a low-grade bank clerk and the question I want to ask is: 'Who are you? I'd never heard of you. Nobody in Europe had ever heard of you.'"
Farage went on: "I can speak on behalf of the majority of British people in saying that we don't know you, we don't want you, and the sooner you are put out to grass, the better."
The former Ukip leader told Van Rompuy: "I have no doubt that your intention is to be the quiet assassin of European democracy and of European nation states."

That, added Farage, was probably because Van Rompuy came from "pretty much a non-country" so had no interest in the nation state.

Van Rompuy, 62, was the surprise compromise choice as the new president of the council – a role created by the Lisbon treaty and one which some thought should and would go to Tony Blair as an internationally-recognised new face for the EU.

Van Rompuy, the former Belgian prime minister, was credited with turning his country's fortunes around last year. He made clear he would not be a "globe-trotting" leader of the EU, considering himself more a "chairman" of the EU's council of national governments.
The centre-right politician quietly enjoys his nickname as the "grey mouse" and is known for writing haiku poetry.

Given a final say in the form of a right of reply after Farage and other – friendlier – MEPs had commented on his speech, Van Rompuy remarked: "There was one contribution that I can only hold in contempt, but I'm not going to comment further."

Dear Mister Farage,

Let's see:

- "You are the quiet assassin of European democracy ..."

Van Rompuy is merely the chairman of the European Council. He leads meetings and notes down votes. He has no real power whatsoever. What's so undemocratic about that?

His job is a by product of the Lisbon treaty, a treaty which limits Britain's veto-behaviour. In fact, it's a step towards true European democracy: less veto right (veto is basically a decisive "no" by a minority; very democratic, isn't it?), more qualified majorities, more importance for the European Parlement.

- and from the states.

Hey, if you don't like it, then just leave. Why is this guy sitting there, accepting his fat monthly pay cheque if he hates Europe so much? If Britain hates Europe so much, then why don't they leave the Union alltogether? Hypocrisy.

They can leave the Union and make bilateral treaties with EU member states if they want. But no, they don't leave. They whine, but don't have the guts to be consequent.

It's more difficult for Britain now to sabotage Europe. So much is true. No more veto by one country ("oooh! That's undemocratic!" Then leave our tyranny!). Voting by qualified majority will become more and more standard procedure (exceptions: relationships with external powers, taxes, defence are still to be decided unanimous) Qualfied majority = 55 % of the member states who have at least 65 % of the number of inhabitants have to agree. Very undemocratic, isn't it?

If the proposal comes from the European Council, it needs 72 % of the member states to agree. How undemocratic! It should be 50 % +1! Something tells me that is not quiet what Mister Farage meant.



- maybe it's because you are from Belgium, a non-country!

Who was among the firsts to recognise this non-country? Yep, your country, mister Farage.

Besides, what about the territory of your country? It isn't very clear to me. It's more a condominium instead of a state. Oversea territory, what belongs to the crown, what doesn't belong to the crown, ... Very confusing...

And if we're talking about the European context, well, it seems to me that Britain is the non-European state here. No member of the Euro. Hundreds of exceptions and opt-outs. If there's one member state that is not a true member state aka a non-member state, then it's Britain.



-We don't know you so we don't want you.

Typical for a xenophobe party...

Besides, we didn't know you too before your intervention. Now that we know you, we don't want you either.

Good manners, decency, style, respect : zero. Not to mention the blunder of outright insulting a befriended nation. Go wash your mouth with brown soap and don't you ever come back again, Mister Farage.

I guess that at least he now has something to tell his grandchildren and his friends at the local pub.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Farage has been a MEP since 1999. His haul thus far: €2.5 million of the EU taxpayer's filthy money, on top of his annual salary of €80.000.

He's been taking good care of himself. And the end is not in sight. His tabloid / Telegraph audience loves it. Loves his outbursts about the EUSSR and corruption. Loves it so much they'll keep voting the thieving crook in, again and again, believing his excuse that he is only raking in the cash to prove that the EU is corrupt.

[Fragony]

Also said it in the video thread: This is the first time I am sad Jan Peter Balkenende didn't become the 'EU president', I would have loved to see the look on his face.

[Subotan]

Man, that MEP really has some balls oh wait

[InsaneApache]

Of course the EUSSR is democratic and accountable. After all transparency is their watchword. They love referenda and free speech, in fact they cherish it.

As long as you agree with them.

[Sarmatian]

Unfortunately, this part...

"We were told that when we had a president, we'd see a giant global political figure, a man who would be the political leader for 500 million people, the man that would represent all of us all of us on the world stage, the man whose job was so important that of course you're paid more than President [Barack] Obama."

He continued: "Well, I'm afraid what we got was you ... I don't want to be rude but, really, you have the charisma of a damp rag and the appearance of a low-grade bank clerk and the question I want to ask is: 'Who are you? I'd never heard of you. Nobody in Europe had ever heard of you.'"

... is completely true. It really takes an idiot to allow the position to be destroyed as soon as it is created.

[Justiciar]

Oh aye. Curse and spit at an entire nation because one notoriously obnoxious ejit from a minor party kicks up a fuss. Good call.

Farage is a tedious sod who doesn't deserve his seat. I can't stand his guts. But the oft repeated "just leave then" line really gets on my tits.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

In order to leave the EU either A: the ruling party would have to vote us out or, we would need a referendum granted by the ruling party. Britons are currently so demoralised that the minority Labour party holds power, and there is no party with a popular majority.

No party represents the British people as a whole, or even a reasonable percentage of us.

So don't tar us all with one brush.

[Tellos Athenaios]

The overall point still stands though: if you send in MEPs that are apparently unwilling to co-operate with other EU nations then you do deserve the line "get out or get over it already". That applies in particular to Mr. Farage & co, but in general it also applies to the UK's less than co-operative stance within the EU.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Bah. This was an outrageous outburst, an affront, a scandal, completely unbecoming of a member of parliament.

O temora, o mores! What an age to live in, when politicians with the manners and conduct of drunk hooligans are cheered and applauded.


Unfortunately, it is becoming the norm in politics. Perfectly reflecting society at large then.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Mr Hannan, MEP for South-East England, has been involved in filibuster tactics, using procedural rules to demand speaking time to make points of order and give explanations of voting, and insisting on seldom-used roll-call votes. Yesterday he saw red over moves to thwart such tactics by invoking parliamentary powers enabling the President to over-ride demands from MEPs if Mr Poettering believes the motive is to disrupt proceedings.


Mr Hannan complained about the stifling of free expression and likened the issue to the Enabling Act in 1933 that gave Hitler unlimited power.
He told the Parliament chamber: "To disregard the rules under which we operate is indeed an act of arbitrary and despotic rule. "It is only my regard for you Mr Chairman and my personal affection for you that prevents me from likening it to the Emachtigungsgesetz of 1933 which was also voted through by a parliamentary majority."
The Emachtigungsgesetz was the Enabling Act with which Hitler won unlimited power.


Joseph Daul, leader of the centre-right EPP group to which Tory MEPs are affiliated, immediately disassociated his group from the remarks and threatened to expel Mr Hannan. A decision is expected when MEPs meet in Strasbourg next month.
Meanwhile Mr Hannan used his blog yesterday afternoon to reveal support from Tory Chief Whip in the European Parliament Den Dover, who told Mr Hannan after the rumpus that his position in the Tory group was assured.
Mr Hannan called for an "amicable divorce" between UK Tory MEPs and their continental centre-right colleagues in the European Parliament's EPP group and pointed out that the Tories have already pledged to leave the EPP next year.
German Socialist leader in the European Parliament Martin Schulz - once likened by then-Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi to a Nazi camp commandant - condemned Mr Hannan: "People like Hannan are not only not speaking on behalf of conservatives in Europe - they have no home in the European Parliament. They are entirely isolated.

[Furunculus]

Bah. This was an outrageous outburst, an affront, a scandal, completely unbecoming of a member of parliament.

O temora, o mores! What an age to live in, when politicians with the manners and conduct of drunk hooligans are cheered and applauded.


Unfortunately, it is becoming the norm in politics. Perfectly reflecting society at large then.

god bless Dan!

That's very nice, but the rest of Europe doesn't see the non-crazy side of die Inselaffen when outbursts like this occur. I don't want to end up looking like the Deep South of the European Union.

i don't really care what they think of us.

Perhaps if other EU nations were a bit more cooperative over a multitude of issues then the UK wouldn't have such a problem. The sad fact is, every time we give up something to the EU, we very rarely get back what we were promised in return. I'm still waiting for the reform of the EU budget that the UK was promised in return for giving up our rebate for instance...

that is a card cameron may get to play.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Bah. This was an outrageous outburst, an affront, a scandal, completely unbecoming of a member of parliament.

O temora, o mores! What an age to live in, when politicians with the manners and conduct of drunk hooligans are cheered and applauded.

Unfortunately, it is becoming the norm in politics. Perfectly reflecting society at large then.

Better than Preston Brook's approach.

[Boohugh]

The overall point still stands though: if you send in MEPs that are apparently unwilling to co-operate with other EU nations then you do deserve the line "get out or get over it already".

No no, you're absolutely right. We should definitely change our democratic rules and make the EU even less democratically accountable just so we don't cause embarrassment to other EU nations...

but in general it also applies to the UK's less than co-operative stance within the EU.

Definitely! I can't believe the UK has been blocking reform of the Common Agricultural Policy for so long, not to mention the Common Fisheries Policy, which has only managed to achieve the decimation of fish stocks in the North Sea because the UK allowed common fishing of its waters. Oh, and make sure you don't forget that the UK gets given such a massive amount from the EU budget compared to the cash we hand over.

Oh hang on, think I may be confused here...

Perhaps if other EU nations were a bit more cooperative over a multitude of issues then the UK wouldn't have such a problem. The sad fact is, every time we give up something to the EU, we very rarely get back what we were promised in return. I'm still waiting for the reform of the EU budget that the UK was promised in return for giving up our rebate for instance...

[Subotan]

Unfortunately, this part...... is completely true. It really takes an idiot to allow the position to be destroyed as soon as it is created.

What do you expect with a federal set up akin to a Polish Parliament?

In order to leave the EU either A: the ruling party would have to vote us out or, we would need a referendum granted by the ruling party. Britons are currently so demoralised that the minority Labour party holds power, and there is no party with a popular majority.

No party represents the British people as a whole, or even a reasonable percentage of us.

So don't tar us all with one brush.

That's very nice, but the rest of Europe doesn't see the non-crazy side of die Inselaffen when outbursts like this occur. I don't want to end up looking like the Deep South of the European Union.

[Louis VI the Fat]

That's very nice, but the rest of Europe doesn't see the non-crazy side of die Inselaffen when outbursts like this occur. I don't want to end up looking like the Deep South of the European Union.

Of course the rest of Europe's knows all the other sides of Britain too.

That's what you get for the good fortune of speaking a dialect of American.

We all know exactly what you lot are up to.

Incidentally, Farage does not represent the UK. MEP's are not representatives of their country. This has the mitigating consequence of the hurled insults falling just short of a major diplomatic affront. This is not Britain vs Belgium, This is about common decency and civilised political conduct.
Even so, this sort of behaviour is more commonly expected of Italian politicians. A country therefore mostly not taken seriously, despite its weight.