‘Our paths have taken a different route’: Beppe and Nigel split up #m5s #5sm #UKIP

Leader of Italy’s ‘5 Star Movement’ (5SM) and former stand-up comedian Beppe Grillo wrote a touching goodbye letter to Nigel Farage MEP, current Co-Chair of the Europe of Freedom and Direct (EFDD) group, writes Catherine Feore.

Grillo used some textbook tactics to cushion the blow, starting with some flattering words and a few old chestnuts.

It’s not you, it’s me

Beppe writes the UK would not have voted for Brexit “without your leadership,” but our paths are going in different directions.

You deserve better, whoever you meet will be so lucky

“I wish you the best and hope that our paths will cross each other again, maybe when you will be an ambassador of the United Kingdom to the United States, as advocated by the President-elect Trump.”

Maybe not realistic, but he is trying to get him to think positive – at least, for the immediate future – it will help him deal with the guilt.

I need to focus at the moment

“The 5 Star MoVement's battle has yet to come… we think we can deal with more concentration […on…] the next challenges."

I’m just not ready for commitment

“To win, we (decided) to go to another political group in the European Parliament”

But what Beppe does not say, and which is immediately apparent to any bystander, is that Beppe has met someone else. Guy, to be precise.

The ALDE group is the unlikely suitor for the Five Star Movement. Beppe was never quite on the same page as Nigel, he was never going to propose something as reckless as leaving the EU for Italy, the euro yes, but not the EU. OK, he may have talked about it, but he didn't really mean it!

The good news for Nigel is that Beppe’s actions will be seen for what they are – a complete betrayal.

Letter in full

Dear Nigel,

Our paths have taken a different route.

You obtained the victory of UKIP's main battle: the leaving of the European Union by the UK. An extraordary [sic] result that would never have arrived without your leadership. And I'm glad it came through a referendum, the maximum expression of the popular will.

The 5 Star MoVement's battle has yet to come, and to win it we evaluated to go to another political group in the European Parliament because, in this way, we think we can deal with more concentration both, you and us, the next challenges.

I wish you the best and hope that our paths will cross each other again, maybe when you will be an ambassador of the United Kingdom to the United States, as advocated by the President-elect Trump.

We can change this world.

With affection and esteem,

Beppe Grillo

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