If anything was going to derail the Conservative conference, it looked like it would be Europe. And one of the most controversial parts of Conservative European policy has been their move away from the large EPP grouping to the new European Conservatives and Reformists Grouping. Its leader, the Polish MEP Michal Kaminski, has been accused of anti-semitism, homophobia and of being a truly undesirable European ally for the Conservatives.
Well, we put those accusations to him with this interview, recorded in Manchester where Kaminski was appearing at fringe events at the Conservative conference.
The conversation includes Kaminski covering the following:
- Says he would never have been given NATO security clearance if there was any evidence of anti-Semitism in his past
- Accuses the New Stateman of shoddy journalism over its recent story attributing comments to Rabbi Schudrich, which he says he never made
- Says he is ashamed that Poles were involved in the Jedwabne massacre
- Claims he is proud that Poland was among the first countries to decriminalise homosexuality
- Says he would vote for civil partnership legislation in Poland but remains opposed to gay marriage
- Says he will accept an invitation to attend next year's Conservative Pride event
- Admits there are differences between the Law & Justice Party and the Conservatives over Lisbon.
- Says it is wrong to equate the European Commission with the Soviet Union
- Says he was wrong to praise General Pinochet
Comments
Sally Roberts / October 09 2009 11:02am
I believe Michal Kaminski has addressed the various concerns conclusively and thoroughly.
This is a man who is being deliberately smeared by the Left in tactics redolent of the old Soviet era.
Kaminski formed his views on politics in the 80s when Poland still lay under the Soviet yoke. His heroes were Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan and he listened secretly to the BBC. His dream was to sit in a Free Polish Parlianent in a Free Poland. For these views the Left can never forgive him.
Mark / October 09 2009 12:13pm
He says a lot. It is just a shame that so little of it is:
a) convincing
b) stands up to scrutiny
Still, I am sure it will convince those who desperately want to be convinced - for now - but for my money it is nothing more than duplicitous drivel Kaminski has offered there.