The Speaker of the House raised more than a few eyebrows in a speech to civic politicians this week.

Darryl Plecas spoke at length on the lack of trust from elected officials and the decline of democracy globally.

“Most people under the age of 30, according to a recent survey by the United Nations, would prefer a dictator over a democracy. Why is that? Why is this going on?” he told the crowd. “Come to the Legislature and watch Question Period. It is a no brainer. We have people disgracing themselves at every single turn.”

Pleacas was speaking at the Lower Mainland Local Government Association, but he was far from done.

“Hell’s Angels have good leaders. Organized crime generally has good leaders. The mafia has good leaders,” he said. “As much as I personally despise [Donald] Trump, he must be doing something right because most Americans think he is great.”

A few people in the crowd reacted to that statement, calling him out for saying “most Americans.”

“I think most,” Plecas defended himself. “Well, I think it depends on which survey you are looking at.”

He went on to describe what he called a crisis in the lack of trust the public has for those in elected office.

“It is like First Nations people say when people say to them [that] governments say ‘we are consulting.’ You are already laughing, what a bunch of rubbish!” he said.

“That is like..if that was okay you could say to somebody who was sexually assaulted, ‘look, he consulted first’. No it is stupid.”

After ranting about a lack of political leadership for the better part of an hour, it was more than some people in the crowd could take.

“I am sorry but I am feeling insulted as an elected official,” said one person in the crowd. “I am feeling like I am being talked down to here. I have been an elected official for 20 years.”

Plecas also touched on the Legislature spending controversy saying if people liked the reports to date they will love what is coming next week.