23/07/2014

Jonathan Freedland takes the long view of Nigel Farage by comparing him to eighteenth century libertarian, John Wilkes, who sent shockwaves through the political establishment and saw himself as the defender of the ordinary man.

Nigel Farage's recent success at local and European elections may have left the other political parties baffled, but the Wilkite movement of the 1760s also caused consternation. Wilkes' election to Westminster was repeatedly quashed, prompting him to obtain re-election.

Wilkes' slogan was 'liberty' and he called for parliamentary reform, raising the issue of how MPs should be chosen: by the people or their elite masters.

Producer: Clare Walker.