Bilderberg 2011: The opposition steps up

From The Guardian

Charlie Skelton witnesses an uninvited Swiss MP attempting to gain access

It was quieter than your average historic moment. No grand words, no crowds cheering in a single voice – no atoms were split, shots were fired or footprints made on the surface of another planet.

I can't think, offhand, of any historic moments that were as drizzly as it was last night, when a small delegation stepped through the gates of the Suvretta House Hotel, and presented themselves to the head of security at Bilderberg.

"I'd like to come in," said the Swiss MP Dominque Baettig.

The crowd held its breath. I shifted to get a better view, and went shin-deep into an ice-cold ditch. I gasped – as one often does during historic moments.

"I am a member of the Swiss parliament," said the member of the Swiss parliament, "and I would like to go inside." Was it a trick of the light, or did the brave shoe of the Swiss MP lift an inch, perhaps two, from the tarmac? Was this it? Was Bilderberg to be stormed before our very eyes…?

"I'm sorry", said the head of security. "But no."

There was silence, broken only by the soft wet sound of my toes getting hypothermia. The tension in the crowd was electric – would the rebuffed parliamentarian roar his defiance, and snap the security barrier across his furious knee? Would the alpine darkness echo with his howled indignation? Were we about to witness an unsightly scuffle between a Swiss MP and a bunch of on-loan CIA officers?

The heel of the Swiss MP turned upon the tarmac, and solemnly the delegation left. The moment was over. Dignity had been preserved, and new chapter in the history of Bilderberg had been opened.

Elected officials have, since the very beginning, been invited to attend Bilderberg. Prime Ministers, Presidents, Secretaries of State, Ministers, Governors, and Members of Parliament. But never, until last night, has an elected official gone to Bilderberg uninvited. It was the first time the 'outside' of Bilderberg has had official representation...