"2lbs of humbugs"

This has to be one of the worst campaign videos I have ever seen, so bad it might almost be good, but no maybe not quite that bad.

What gets me is that the strangely rhomboid John Stevens goes into a sweetshop and asks with a little does of the common touch for 2lbs of humbugs. Which of course under the system he belives in, the European Union was to solicit the woman to comit a felony.

As you can see here

The UK government has committed itself to gradually switching to the metric system since the publication of a White Paper on the issue in 1972 (!). Aware of the cultural importance of the issue, EC legislation granted the UK (and Ireland) generous transition periods of two decades to introduce the new system as smoothly and costefficiently as possible.

Good film of the shifty arrogance of Bercow though.

He's a maniac, maniac that's for sure: He will kill your cat and nail him to the door

Well that is how John Stevens, the former Tory MEP and independent candidate for Buckingham has described Nigel Farage. In a short piece in the Standard last night he was saying quite why it was that he wished to stand in the division.

"I am standing for three reasons," explains Stevens. "Firstly, I think it is ridiculous that the Speaker should have a special seat — it means the people are disenfranchised. The best way of getting the constitutional reform we need would be to vote him out. Secondly, his conduct as an MP and Speaker is emblematic of the whole scandal which has erupted over parliamentary democracy. We face an enormous financial crisis and very tough decisions to make on parliamentary reform — this would send a message that changes need to be made."

But, most importantly, I think the people of Buckingham deserve an ordinary MP — not a Speaker nor a UKIP maniac. I think John Bercow can be defeated. There is an enormous groundswell towards me of local Conservatives who are unhappy that there will not be an election."

Points one and two are very valid, but the final point is just glorious in many ways. As Farage points out in his letter of response,

Being described as a maniac by John Stevens (Fishy goings on 22/02/10) is akin to being called a junkie by Amy Winehouse. This is the man who created the Pro-European Conservative Party out of pique that he hadn't been selected high enough up the Tory Euro MP list, the party later collapsing in ignomy. He has also been campaigning ever since for Britain to join the Euro, which had we followed his advice would have ensured economic catastrophe.

And the idea that John Stevens is ordinary is risible. A story is told about him, back when he was an MEP in the mid 90's. The Tory group at Reading University asked him to come out canvassing for the local elections. This he did, driving up and lending his time for an hour or so... in his Rolls Royce.

Afterwards the students thanked him but asked if, next time he could tone down the ostentatious mode of transport.

"No problem, I understand", says Mr Stevens.

So he comes along on the next canvassing day. No Rolls this time, no, he drove up in a Porsche.

Man of the people that John Stevens.

Was he already employing a press officer? Because he doesn't seem to be now

Bercow's literary talenst.

According to PA, John Bercow is disclaiming his authorship of the Tories guide to shagging. Now he says it was a satire on his piss poor attempts to pull.

"This article was not written by me but about me, mocking the fact that I was the last person likely to express the sentiments cited in the piece.

Which goes against comments made by his spokesman,

"A spokesman for Speaker Bercow said: ‘This article appeared in a magazine that specialised in being both funny and provocative. It in no way reflects the Speaker’s views today.’"

Which given that Tim Hames is getting nigh on £100 grand for doing the job doesn't bode to well for his further employment.