“Welfare is the cancer of the nation”, according to Godfrey Bloom, the independent MEP for Yorkshire and Humber who addressed the Cambridge University Conservative Association (CUCA) last night.

Speaking about his constituents, Bloom said that “the Yorkshire farmer is the most miserable bastard I’ve ever met in my life”. He talked of “tribal” voting in his constituency: “[Voters] know that if they don’t vote Conservative, their hand will fall off".

Amid laughter in the forty-four-strong meeting, Bloom targeted the honours system for criticism: “This is the problem. You want your wife, Sharon, to be Lady Sharon. You want it for her, for being a nice little wife – you’ve not cheated on her. Much. People will sell their souls for an honour.” 

The Cambridge Universities Labour Club (CULC) was outraged by his comments, criticising CUCA for its decision to invite Bloom. A spokesperson for CULC said: “His questioning of the ability of women to hold an equal standing in our society is shocking, making his visit to Cambridge a particularly inappropriate one, given the Conservative Party's existent problem with women – more men from Eton and Westminster being in the cabinet than women.

“Comments like these are likely to cause distress on both sides of the political spectrum and therefore, his presence simply helps to maintain the view that politics attracts people with deeply outdated and irrelevant opinions and does little to contribute to students’ experiences of constructive debate and discussion.”

There were five women at the meeting.

In a wide-ranging speech which swung from Alfred the Great to Bismarck and the Roman Empire to World War One, Bloom was not afraid to snipe at the establishment: “Who gives a shit if Dave Wiliband or Ed Spameron gets in next?”

He was critical of UKIP, lamenting, “it’s been hijacked… We’re not the carefree party we once were. We now have people in their nice suits sitting at desks behind closed doors, spinning everything.

“I’m fighting to get my party back.” 

Bloom argued that “people who create the most wealth should have a higher say in how this wealth is distributed”. He was unaware that the minimum wage is £6.31 and consistently stated that is was £8, whilst complaining that “it’s £3.20 for a pint here – that’s bloody ridiculous”.

James Mottram, chairman of CUCA, said: “Godfrey Bloom was a fantastic speaker and I am very proud CUCA was able to play host to him last night. His talk was fascinating and one of the best attended in years.

“We have always felt it important to provide Cambridge students access to speakers with whom they may not necessarily agree, but whose views are worth hearing. While it would be presumptuous of me to speak for everyone at the talk, I have received nothing but positive responses from those who were actually there, including many who used to opportunity to challenge Mr Bloom with their own questions.”

Of the criticisms levelled by the Labour Club, Mottram stated: “This seems to me to be simply a case of CULC being desperate for an opportunity to be offended on others' behalf.”

One CUCA member who wished to remain anonymous said that “although Mr Bloom was very offensive and he bumbles, he did make a few valid points”.

Bloom was at the centre of media attention last year when he called a group of women at the UKIP party conference “sluts”, and swiped a Channel 4 news correspondent with a brochure. The UKIP whip was subsequently removed.

When asked if he would make a political comeback, Bloom said: “I don’t give a shit anymore. I can say what I want now. I’m sixty-four. I’ll be dead in ten years anyway. What I want to do is make sure that you people give your politicians a really rough ride.”