BREXIT MEP Ann Widdecombe has come in for stern criticism after attempt to compare Britain’s departure from the European Union to slaves rising up against their owners.
Widdecombe made the comparison during a speech criticising what she views as the “undemocratic” process behind the elections for some of the top jobs in the EU.
The speech saw her highlight a “pattern consistent throughout history” of oppressed people turning on their oppressors, using “slaves against their owners” as an example.
She said: “May I say, if I needed any convincing at all that the best thing for Britain is to leave here as soon as possible, it was the way that those elections were conducted yesterday.
“Because if that is this place’s idea of democracy then that is a serious betrayal of every country that is represented here because it is not democratic at all.
“That is just one of many reasons why Britain is right to be leaving this place, hopefully on Halloween.”
“There is a pattern consistent throughout history of oppressed people turning on the oppressors. Slaves against their owners. The peasantry against the feudal barons,” she added.
“There is a pattern consistent throughout history of oppressed people turning on the oppressors. Slaves against their owners. The peasantry against the feudal barons.”
Brexit Party MEP Ann Widdecombe makes her maiden speech in the European Parliament. pic.twitter.com/AURtKG3Pu2— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) July 4, 2019
“Colonies, Mr Verhofstadt, against their empires and that is why Britain is leaving and it doesn’t matter which language you use, we are going and we are glad to be going.
She then finished saying the same thing in French, German and English by saying “nous allons, wir gehen, we’re off”.
The comments, which came as part of her maiden speech in the European Parliament, have been widely criticised with MP David Lammy labelling them “offensive and ahistorical”.
“Ann Widdecombe just compared Britain leaving the EU to 'slaves' rising up 'against their owners',” he wrote on Twitter.
“It is impossible to explain how offensive and ahistorical it is for you to equate my ancestors tearing off their chains with your small-minded nationalist project. Shame on you.”
Anne Widdecombe just compared Britain leaving the EU to "slaves" rising up "against their owners".
It is impossible to explain how offensive and ahistorical it is for you to equate my ancestors tearing off their chains with your small-minded nationalist project. Shame on you. https://t.co/wZVCziXWVM— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) July 4, 2019
Lammy’s criticism was exhoced by MEP and Brexit Coordinator Guy Verhofstadt, who dismissed her as a “clown”.
He wrote on Twitter: “By the way, when Widdecombe talks about ‘colonies liberating themselves from their empires’, is she really referring to the American Revolution of 1776?”
Nigel Farage facing some stiff competition as chief clown of the Brexit Party in the @Europarl_EN. By the way, when Widdecombe talks about “colonies liberating themselves from their empires”, is she really referring to the American Revolution of 1776? https://t.co/KNtQ7GjaY3
— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) July 4, 2019
Kishan Devani. Vice President of the Liberal Democrat Campaign for Racial Equality, also shared a previous video of a younger Widdecombe stating her desire to avoid becoming "bogged down" in the issue of Europe.
Ann Widdecombe obviously doesn't want people to see this...
I think you know what to do... #BrexitPartyNotInMyName pic.twitter.com/qvtiRe5x0o— Professor Kishan Devani BEM 💙 (@Kishan_Devani) July 4, 2019
