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UKIP set to music? High praise indeed

Wednesday, 11th August 2010

When theatre luvvie Sir Jonathan Miller sniffily dismissed Gilbert and Sullivan as "UKIP set to music" he had no idea how many fans the thoroughly British masters of the operetta shared with the nation's fastest-growing political party.

In fact, the uppity retort has backfired with many people declaring how proud they are to be linked to G&S by Sir Jonathan.

UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom penned a missive to the Daily Telegraph saying:

"I read today that Jonathan Miller disparages Gilbert and Sullivan as “Ukip set to music” (report, August 10). How right he is. As the libretto of HMS Pinafore says: “I, humble, poor, and lowly born,

The meanest in the port division
The butt of epauletted scorn
The mark of quarter-deck derision
Have dared to raise my wormy eyes
Above the dust to which you’d mould me,
In manhood’s glorious pride to rise,
I am an Englishman, behold me!”

Good natured, humorous, pomposity-pricking, but with serious intent, and, above all, proud to be English. Suits me."

Meanwhile, Dr Fred McGlade, UKIP's regional organiser in the North West was also moved to reply.

He said: "What a sad spectacle the ageing Jonathan Miller has become.

"Ranting that Gilbert and Sullivan’s, The Mikado, is UKIP set to music, is indeed, deluded, highbrow twaddle.

"Despite his own public school and Cambridge education, he sent his children to state schools where they failed miserably as academics and he then criticised them publicly for that failure.

"Clearly riddled with guilt at applying his own Socialist principles to his children’s education, he rambles on about UKIP, Gilbert and Sullivan and anyone else that stings his sensitivities."

Dr McGlade said: "Miller should note that one thing UKIP and its members do not do, is stand up for principles and then allow others to suffer from the consequences."

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