No doubt you will have noticed the media attention given to David Cameron’s assertions that UKIP members are “fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists” on a London radio show. I couldn’t agree more, but in light of this comment it is only fair to raise concern about a blossoming friendship between the parties.

I happened to have a meeting in a restaurant, the night before last, where the UKIP leader, Nigel Farage, was dining with UKIP colleagues and Tory MEPs Chris Heaton-Harris and Roger Helmer.

If indeed David Cameron is genuine in his claims of “compassionate Conservativism”, and thus disagreeing emphatically with UKIP policies, why are his MEPs working so closely with them?