Anyway there has been some chatter in the news recently about people from Labour supporting Tony Blair being the President of the EU.
Firstly, from what I understand the role of EU President is more of an administrative role but do people agree that he is a good choice?
He didn't exactly do the best job concerning the UK and I am quite surprised that Gordon Brown is supposedly keen to back Blair since Blair left Downing Street and left Brown to the wolves of the mess he left. There are a variety of reports saying that Downing Street is going to back Blair while others are merely sources from Downing Street.
BBC Article
QUOTE
Gordon Brown is to actively lobby for his predecessor Tony Blair to be named the first president of the European Council, No 10 sources have said.
Downing Street had previously denied reports it was canvassing for the ex-prime minister to get the job, to be created under the new Lisbon Treaty.
But the BBC now understands Mr Brown will put the case to other EU leaders in Brussels later this week.
The Tories and Lib Dems are adamant Mr Blair should not get the job.
Downing Street had previously denied reports it was canvassing for the ex-prime minister to get the job, to be created under the new Lisbon Treaty.
But the BBC now understands Mr Brown will put the case to other EU leaders in Brussels later this week.
The Tories and Lib Dems are adamant Mr Blair should not get the job.
An interesting article from the Daily Telegraph.
QUOTE
Good news for those who are hoping that the new Lisbon Treaty will not increase the European Union's power and international standing. Two bits of good news, in fact.
First, the tide seems to be running against Tony Blair's candidacy for the presidency. Blair was the one man who could have made America and other countries take notice of the EU – to "stop traffic", to use David Miliband's phrase – and look to it rather than to Britain and other member states when seeking to co-ordinate policies. Apparently, never missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity, the eurocrats will opt for some unknown and charismatically deprived candidate.
Even better news for those who feel Lisbon is a step too far on the road to a superstate is the rumour that Miliband will be the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, the title concocted to conceal the true role of Foreign Minister, in command of a full ambassadorial corps, some 130 embassies (the one down the street from me in Washington is as large as almost any real nation's), and with the ability to sign treaties and contracts. Real power, if properly exploited. Which is why it would be a relief if Miliband is the choice of the clique charged with making the selection (nothing as messy as a democratic vote by citizens, or indeed on the treaty itself, is needed).
Miliband has a record of bumbling at the Foreign Office that is reassuring to those who do not want !@#$%* superseded by an unaccountable bureaucracy when it comes to the making of foreign policy.
First, the tide seems to be running against Tony Blair's candidacy for the presidency. Blair was the one man who could have made America and other countries take notice of the EU – to "stop traffic", to use David Miliband's phrase – and look to it rather than to Britain and other member states when seeking to co-ordinate policies. Apparently, never missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity, the eurocrats will opt for some unknown and charismatically deprived candidate.
Even better news for those who feel Lisbon is a step too far on the road to a superstate is the rumour that Miliband will be the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, the title concocted to conceal the true role of Foreign Minister, in command of a full ambassadorial corps, some 130 embassies (the one down the street from me in Washington is as large as almost any real nation's), and with the ability to sign treaties and contracts. Real power, if properly exploited. Which is why it would be a relief if Miliband is the choice of the clique charged with making the selection (nothing as messy as a democratic vote by citizens, or indeed on the treaty itself, is needed).
Miliband has a record of bumbling at the Foreign Office that is reassuring to those who do not want !@#$%* superseded by an unaccountable bureaucracy when it comes to the making of foreign policy.
