Pending any results from Ireland - still expected to be a YES - the Brussels and Westminster gossip is about Blair as first president of the EU (technically president of the Council of Ministers).
It is clear that to appoint him might cause a stink and Hague says so strongly. But nobody (apart from me!) makes the point that it was Blair, as he left centre stage in Britain, who first ditched our referendum thus ensuring that his candidacy could not be blocked by the British people
Christina
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THE TIMES 3.10.09
Tories warn of British backlash to Blair ‘presidency’
Rachel Sylvester, Alice Thomson and Francis Elliott
William Hague warns European leaders today to expect a backlash if they make Tony Blair the first president of Europe.
The Shadow Foreign Secretary told The Times: “There could be no worse way to sell the EU to the people of Britain.”
He dangled the prospect of a referendum in Britain to take back powers from Brussels, even if a “yes” vote in the Irish Republic leads to the rapid ratification of the Lisbon treaty. He also indicated that the Tories would use a Blair presidency to mobilise opposition in such a vote on Britain’s relationship with Europe.
Mr Hague was speaking as Conservatives gathered in Manchester for their party conference, and before the result of Ireland’s vote on the Lisbon treaty is declared today. Hours before polls closed at 10pm last night turnout was reported to be higher than last year, when Ireland voted “no”. The Government hopes that a good turnout will favour the “yes” side.
David Cameron, the Tory leader, is coming under growing pressure to clarify what the party will do if it inherits a fully ratified treaty after an election victory next year. Critics claim that a plebescite on whether to reverse ratification would in effect become a poll on Britain’s continuing membership of the EU.
However, Mr Hague leaves open the possibility of the Tories holding a vote on seeking the return of specific powers from Brussels such as the social chapter, working time directives and health and safety laws. “Clearly there are a number of options ... I am not ruling anything in or out,” he said.
Senior British sources suggest that Mr Blair could be installed as president of Europe by the end of the month if an Irish “yes” vote leads to the collapse of remaining opposition to the Lisbon treaty in Poland and the Czech Republic. Mr Blair has insisted he is not actively campaigning to be president but The Times has learnt that his former chief-of-staff, Jonathan Powell, is leading a diplomatic push in Europe to win him the post.
Mr Hague said that the appointment of the former Labour leader would “underline the lack of accountability and democracy” of the change and the way it had been introduced. “Most people would be extremely annoyed if Tony Blair is appointed president of the EU,” he said. The Tories would be lobbying Berlin, Paris and other European countries in the next few weeks and urging them to veto the appointment, he added.
Lord Owen, the former Foreign Secretary, added his voice to those opposing Mr Blair for the job. In an interview with the website thebrowser, he said: “If he gets it, it will be a perfect disgrace. I mean, he advocated it in government single-handedly.”
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