Despite his time spent laboring in the belly of the beast, former EU Commissioner Frits Bolkenstein is a generally sensible figure (he was one of the first Dutch politicians to confront the disaster of that country’s decision to combine multiculturalism with mass immigration) has made a remarkable attack on his old employers. The EU Observer has the details :

Mr Bolkestein, who served as the internal market commissioner from 1999 to 2004, on Tuesday (7 November) slammed his former work place for allegedly over-regulating in several policy areas ranging from obesity to energy efficiency, Dutch press agency ANP reports. Referring to commission plans to fight obesity, he said at a liberal meeting in Brussels “I also believe that people should watch their weight. But is this a European task?” On commission legislation on energy-saving buildings, the Dutchman asked “Are these buildings cross-border ? They stand where they stand. That is none of Europe’s business.” Mr Bolkestein, a free-market liberal, claimed that “such foolish plans” reflect a desire by some commissioners – who he characterised as “eager beavers” – to turn the EU into a federal state.

Good for Frits.