Skipper

I have to make a confession and a sort of an apology. I had always assumed Nigel Farage was a bit like the plausible door to door salesman he rather resembles. Glibly fluent he always seemed a bit too street-smart to trust in any way. And besides, I'm a convinced EU enthusiast who believes it helped bring to an end the most disastrous sequence of wars in the world's history by replacing hostile competition with economic cooperation. As a template for a world likely to survive more than just a few centuries I can't think of a better one on offer.

Add to all that the fact that UKIP supporters and those of the BNP are so mutually sympathetic a merger was mooted not so long ago, and you can see why I found UKIP's leader resistible. But I thought he came out of his interview this morning with John 'Rotweiller' Humphrys on Today, with colours flying. It wasn't just that Farage was confident- he's always seemed a bit too cocky- he was also articulate, direct and saw off his interrogator's questions with aplomb. He admits he exploits MEP allowances, up to £2m a year and employs his own wife, but claims he spends the money on UKIP campaigning.

Reprehesible? Well, he answered, the EU spends £2 billion a year trying to convince us they are wonderful so this small amount dedicated to questioning such propoganda is surely justified. Good answer which seemed to satisfy Humphrys though Farage might find others will want to dig further. No doubt in my mind that Farage came through his interview with some distinction. I thought Farage a superficicial lightweight: he is clearly a formidable politician. When today's poll showing Labour running behind UKIP for the 4th June elections, one has to appreciate the full extent of the former's plight and the latter's advantage. I and others like me, may not like it, but we're going to hear and see a lot more of Mr Farage after those elections.