The newest Conservative member of the European Parliament, and his fears of German invasion

By Bagehot

IT IS Friday, so by way of light relief, I bring news of the newest Conservative member of the European Parliament, Rupert Matthews. In my five years in Brussels, I fear I conceived something of a dislike for the Euro-parliament, a body which has stealthily acquired rather substantial powers by arguing that it represents the answer to the European Union’s democratic deficit. This argument looks good from a distance, but less peachy if you actually spend any time watching members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in action. The revenge of the B team, I once called the place, and have not changed my views.