"Sounds like what usually happens everywhere when there is a big downturn in the economy. The public kicks out the incumbents!"

Regrettably, though, that's not what happens in elections for the EU parliament. A few old familiar faces disappear; a few new ones appear. But nothing changes.

When the UK elects a different administration, as it will within the next 12 months, all not-yet-confirmed leglislation automatically falls, and the new administration starts again. I understand something similar happens in America. But not in the EU; there, nothing changes, which is the way it was designed. Having the appearance of democracy, but not the substance...

Have I told you how much I hate, detest and despise this overweening, self-perpetuating, smotheringly bureaucratic, anti-democratic, Kafkaesque nightmare, the EU? I spit on it.