The question of whether he was cut out for being an elected representative, though, was broached (politely) by several, but didn't get much response.
But the question about the European Parliament is there, subjacent: if it had real clout, there'd be a tooth-and-nail fight to get elected, it wouldn't be these lists of people who've made a name in something else, or those their party wants to get rid of by sending them to Siberiathe EP.