I think perhaps all my objections to the EU could be encapsulated in the ludicrous figure of Baroness Ashton. Currently, while she's under fire for leaving the post of special EU envoy to the Middle East empty at the height of the turmoil in Libya, her mind is on higher things:
The multi-million contract has been tendered to pay public relations consultants to make propaganda videos "to illustrate to the general public the increasing importance of the role of the EU as a global actor in peace building and crisis management".
Money is also set aside to "support to networking activities" including VIP visits, lunches or dinners, "three courses with waiter service and wine", and the inevitable diplomatic cocktail receptions with "champagne and top-of-the-range appetisers".
I wouldn't bother commenting but for that phrase "top-of-the-range appetisers". It's so perfect. Not even Mike Leigh, with his eye for the pretensions of the aspiring middle-class, could have come up with better. Victoria Wood will have jotted it down for future use. The EU is struggling to come up with some kind of response to the Arab uprisings, and here's Baroness Ashton of Upholland spending £8.5m in the search for top-of-the-range appetisers.
Mick Hartley 
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