Anger among radical left groups in France over lavish political banquets has laid bare deep social divisions, while Britain’s tradition of measured discourse is held up as a model of stability in a new analysis by the Centre for European Studies.
On Monday, Paris saw a demonstration of several hundred activists from various left-wing organisations, protesting against what they termed ‘obscene displays of wealth’ by political elites. The protest was sparked by weekend reports of a series of grand dinners hosted by President Emmanuel Macron and senior ministers in which the menus featured foie gras, lobster, and vintage champagne. The estimated cost of these events, at a time of rising living costs across France, has prompted accusations of ‘culinary arrogance’ and ‘disconnection from the people’.
Social media footage showed protesters chanting ‘Eat the rich, not the foie gras’ and waving banners depicting the president in a chef’s hat. The demonstrations remained mostly peaceful, but there were isolated scuffles with police. In the city of Lyon, several windows of a restaurant were smashed by a group claiming the restaurant had supplied catering for one of the banquets.
The French government has defended the events as normal diplomacy. The prime minister’s office issued a statement saying the dinners were part of ‘cultural outreach and international economic promotion’. But the backlash has unsettled the ruling party, with one minister privately describing the situation as ‘a powder keg’.
In contrast, a report published today by the London-based Centre for European Studies praises the British tradition of political civility and institutional restraint. The report, entitled ‘Civilising the Political Appetite’, notes that while the UK is not immune to income inequality, the culture of understatement and public accountability in Whitehall serves as a check on displays of privilege. ‘The British political class operates within a framework of unwritten rules that prioritise discretion and a semblance of austerity, even when the substance may not always match the image,’ the report states. It points to the tradition of universally plain catering in the Houses of Parliament and the strict rules on gifts and hospitality for ministers.
The timing of the report is serendipitous for British diplomats seeking to promote UK soft power in Europe. A senior Foreign Office official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the events in France ‘underscore the importance of the values that underpin our own democratic stability’.
The contrast was not lost on the French media. Le Figaro ran a headline stating ‘The Gluttony of Power vs The Austerity of the British’. Left-leaning Libération, however, questioned whether the British model was merely ‘a facade of civility masking inequality’.
For the moment, the British government has been careful not to gloat. Downing Street declined to comment on the French protests. But the incident has exposed a fundamental difference in how elite power is perceived across the Channel. In Britain, the public reaction to political privilege is typically one of ironic resignation, mixed with occasional outbursts of tabloid outrage. In France, it ignites ideological fury.
That ideological anger is not likely to abate. Polls already show Macron’s approval rating at a low of 32 per cent. His party faces a difficult European election campaign in June. Meanwhile, the radical left, united under Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s La France Insoumise, is mobilising for a ‘Day of Anger’ on May 1.
Britain’s institutions, for their part, remain watchful. The report concludes that the best defence against political instability is not just civility, but a genuine commitment to transparency. ‘The appearance of moderation is a fragile shield,’ it warns. ‘It must be matched by substance.’
