Farage And Geldof In Bizarre Slanging Match

Forget about the battle bus, it has now become a battle of boats as the EU referendum took to the waves.

On the surface, Nigel Farage wanted to use the 30-strong flotilla on Wednesday to protest about the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy.

But instead it descended into a slanging match between the UKIP leader and Boomtown rats singer Bob Geldof. Bizarre, surreal, yes, but effective too.

"You are a fraud, Nigel. Go back down the river because you are up one without a canoe or a paddle," bellowed the pop mogul.

But Mr Farage shouted back: "These are communities that have been devastated. These are communities that no-one has listened to for years.

"To see multimillionaires frankly mocking them is a pretty shameful sight."

And it is framing of the day as a battle between the elite against the oppressed fisherman which means it was Mr Farage's naval conquest.

The sight of Geldof, a divisive figure in his own right, swearing and sticking the V sign, essentially at fishermen, does not look good.

And this stunt did help to overshadow George Osborne and Alistair Darling's twin warning about a Brexit economic downturn and emergency budget.

It has been a difficult week for Remain campaigners, with immigration dominating, economic warnings not cutting through and a series of polls showing Brexit in the lead.

What the day showed is stunts can and do work, so expect a few more, particularly from Remainers, between now and polling day.