Vote 'Yes' for President Tony Blair?

StealthRolex

Breaking news on the EU front - Sarkozy wants Blair in the post before the Treaty is ratified!

Just kidding - it's only a candidacy and Cameron can block it if the timing is out.

But it does raise an interesting question - following ratification is this the right man for the job?

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23751121-blair-to-be-named-eu-president-within-weeks-if-irish-vote-yes.do

PopeBuckfastXVI

In my opinion, no. Regardless of Blairs merits or otherwise, I believe the first council president will be from one of the smaller states, for purely political reasons.

1der

StealthRolex wrote: »

Breaking news on the EU front - Sarkozy wants Blair in the post before the Treaty is ratified!

Just kidding - it's only a candidacy and Cameron can block it if the timing is out.

But it does raise an interesting question - following ratification is this the right man for the job?

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23751121-blair-to-be-named-eu-president-within-weeks-if-irish-vote-yes.do

ha ha, isnt this great. by signing this treaty we can not only give more power to the main colonising countries of the past but we can put ireland firmly back under "team GB"'s long handed rule.

i love it!

PopeBuckfastXVI

1der wrote: »

ha ha, isnt this great. by signing this treaty we can not only give more power to the main colonising countries of the past but we can put ireland firmly back under "team GB"'s long handed rule.

i love it!

We'll be under 'team GB's' long handed rule (if that's how you describe having a British council president) in 2017 if we vote 'no'. Voting 'no' is the only way to guarantee we will have a British council president.

namloc1980

3[he main olonising countries of the past but we can put ireland firmly back under "team GB"'s long handed rule.

i love it![/QUOTE]
please inform yourself of the reality of the Lisbon treaty before making such ridiculous assertions

spank_inferno

I know Blair's name is now poison in the UK, but I still thought he was a good PM at the time.

Without seeing what other candidates there are in place, I wouldnt necessarily think him a bad candidate.

Who else would be in the running?
I'm assuming it would be other ex presidents/prime ministers.

Would it be a role President MacAleese might consider?

mike65

Bertie Ahern can be Irelands revenge.

StealthRolex

Is Paul Waugh working for the Standard we well as the Mail or is this a classic example of plagiarism?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1217394/Blair-named-EU-President-weeks-Irish-ratify-Lisbon-Treaty.html?ITO=1490

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23751121-blair-to-be-named-eu-president-within-weeks-if-irish-vote-yes.do

P. Breathnach

It's not a role for somebody who sees him- or herself as a leader, and Blair became progressively more and more of one over the years. It's a job that would best be done with skills as a mediator, facilitator, deal-broker, qualities of that sort.

It's a set of skills that Bertie has. He could probably do the job superbly. It's a pity that there is so much else about him that renders him unsuitable.

johnwillnot

Here is an Excerpt from Sky News:

It followed a news conference with Europe Minister Glenys Kinnock, where she said the Government supported Mr Blair's candidature for the post.

There is no official list of contenders for a new Euro-job which will only exist if the Lisbon treaty is fully approved and ratified by all EU countries.

However, there is a growing consensus that Britain's former Prime Minister would be the obvious choice to represent the EU under the new arrangements.

A spokesman for Tony Blair's office insisted there was no campaign for the former Prime Minister to become EU President.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Tony-Blairs-Candidature-For-Presidency-Of-European-Union-Would-Be-Fully-Supported-By-Government/Article/200907315338736?f=rss

MrMatisse

moondogspot wrote: »

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/blair-steps-up-fight-to-be-crowned-first-president-of--eu-1662928.html



Tony Blair for president of the EU? Do we want someone like him speaking for us on the World

Stage? ....I know I don't. What's your opinions?

Edit : View free-man's post below for more articles

A lapdog war monger as our first president.

GREAT.

Yes to Lisbon.

Sign me up.

We will get to vote on whether hes president of us wont we?

Oh no wait.....we wont.

oscarBravo

Really-Stressed wrote: »

A lapdog war monger as our first president.

You seem to be confused. Our first president was Dr Douglas Hyde.

We will get to vote on whether hes president of us wont we?

I don't think he's eligible to be our president. Besides, Mrs McAleese will be in the role for several more years.

free-man

namloc1980 wrote: »

Just because the media claim something it doesn't make it so. Do you believe that Lisbon brings about the role of a EU President based on the content of those newspaper reports? Have you actually looked at the Treaty itself?? Nowhere in the entire text of the Treaty is there a reference to a EU President unless you can prove otherwise.

All UK papers by the way.

If you had read my previous posts you'd see my position on this.

I don't believe it because a tabloid newspaper has made the claim. I don't believe it because mainstream newspapers have made the claim. I don't even believe it because elements no side have made the claim.

I think there is a possibility of it happening, quite a large possibility and this is what makes me and others uncomfortable.

Oh and no need to be facetious, of course it doesn't mention EU President - we know that's not the official name for the post.

Dinner

free-man wrote: »

Oh and no need to be facetious, of course it doesn't mention EU President - we know that's not the official name for the post.

It's not even the unofficial name!

marco_polo

free-man wrote: »

If you had read my previous posts you'd see my position on this.

I don't believe it because a tabloid newspaper has made the claim. I don't believe it because mainstream newspapers have made the claim. I don't even believe it because elements no side have made the claim.

I think there is a possibility of it happening, quite a large possibility and this is what makes me and others uncomfortable.

Oh and no need to be facetious, of course it doesn't mention EU President - we know that's not the official name for the post.

I can see why such a scenario would seem plausible to someone who is worried that the guaratees conflict with the treaty, but there nothing in Lisbon that could ever possibly make this a reality.

MarkK

johnwillnot wrote: »

I not just the media who is talking about this, Yves Gazzo, Head of the European Commission's delegation in France talks about it in this interview - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlgCAfuOFp8
Are you say he is wrong also?

That video is from January 2008.

Looks like the Dutch PM is in the race:
http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2009/09/new_speculation_about_balkenen.php


Spain's former PM does not think Blair is a shoe-in.
"Gonzalez said that although Blair has 'a strong personality', is the fact that Britain is frequently viewed in Brussels as a reluctant EU member working and this could work against him , having opted out of the bloc's single currency zone and several other common EU policies."
http://www.barcelonareporter.com/index.php?/news/comments/former_socialist_premier_felipe_gonzalez_of_spain_will_not_stand_for_eu_pre/

moondogspot

http://trak.in/news/blair-set-to-become-first-european-union-president/9382/

Another new article on Blair today.

PopeBuckfastXVI

moondogspot wrote: »

http://trak.in/news/blair-set-to-become-first-european-union-president/9382/

Another new article on Blair today.

According to The Sun...

fail.

johnwillnot

marco_polo wrote: »

I can see why such a scenario would seem plausible to someone who is worried that the guaratees conflict with the treaty, but there nothing in Lisbon that could ever possibly make this a reality.

So I take it that you have not watched the interview with Yves Gazzo, Head of the European Commission's delegation in France - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlgCAfuOFp8

He clearly states that it is part of the lisbon treaty and that Tony Blair is the man for the job.

How do you explain this?

MarkK

johnwillnot wrote: »

How do you explain this?

That video is from January 2008

marco_polo

johnwillnot wrote: »

So I take it that you have not watched the interview with Yves Gazzo, Head of the European Commission's delegation in France - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlgCAfuOFp8

He clearly states that it is part of the lisbon treaty and that Tony Blair is the man for the job.

How do you explain this?

By the fact that my quoted post has nothing to do with your reply?

free-man

marco_polo wrote: »

I can see why such a scenario would seem plausible to someone who is worried that the guaratees conflict with the treaty, but there nothing in Lisbon that could ever possibly make this a reality.

When did I ever say the guarantees conflict with the treaty.
Actually lets not go there, i'm not getting into that pointless debate again.

So are you denying that there will be no full time president of the European council or that there's no possibility of Tony Blair getting the job because it doesn't mention his name in the treaty?

marco_polo

Oops I made a bit of an ass of myself,. I thought you were talking about the post of EU President, not Blair

Below is basically how I read the conversation. :pac:

namloc1980 wrote: »

Just because the media claim something it doesn't make it so. Do you believe that Lisbon brings about the role of a EU President based on the content of those newspaper reports? Have you actually looked at the Treaty itself?? Nowhere in the entire text of the Treaty is there a reference to a EU President unless you can prove otherwise.

All UK papers by the way.

free-man wrote: »

If you had read my previous posts you'd see my position on this.

I don't believe it because a tabloid newspaper has made the claim. I don't believe it because mainstream newspapers have made the claim. I don't even believe it because elements no side have made the claim.

I think there is a possibility of it happening, quite a large possibility and this is what makes me and others uncomfortable.

Oh and no need to be facetious, of course it doesn't mention EU President - we know that's not the official name for the post.

marco_polo wrote: »

I can see why such a scenario would seem plausible to someone who is worried that the guaratees conflict with the treaty, but there nothing in Lisbon that could ever possibly make this a reality.

namloc1980

free-man wrote: »

When did I ever say the guarantees conflict with the treaty.
Actually lets not go there, i'm not getting into that pointless debate again.

So are you denying that there will be no full time president of the European council or that there's no possibility of Tony Blair getting the job because it doesn't mention his name in the treaty?

There is a redefining of the terms of the President of the European Council in Lisbon. It is becoming a 2.5 year term posting and that person won't be a member state Head of Government as they are currently. It is possible that Blair could be the one. There is no increase in their powers (which are very little anyway) under Lisbon. No real mystery there at all!

johnwillnot

marco_polo wrote: »

Oops I made a bit of an ass of myself,. I thought you were talking about the post of EU President, not Blair

Below is basically how I read the conversation. :pac:

How much more proof do I have to provide:

Here is an excerpt from euinfo.ie

French Foreign Minister suggests Tony Blair is currently the only real candidate for EU President

• In an interview with France Inter, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner was asked if Tony Blair will become EU President if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified. He said, "In any case, Tony Blair is a candidate and people are talking about it a lot, yes."

Asked if there are other candidates, he said, "Not many." Asked who, he said, "No, honestly", to which the interviewer replied, "So it's Blair then?" Kouchner said, "At one point there was Verhofstadt. Wait! There are others who will perhaps put themselves forward; it is not for straight away. But for the moment, indeed..."

Asked if he thought it is right that a supporter of the Iraq war should become the first President of Europe, he said, "He has given several speeches on Iraq for a long time; he has been a supporter of peace; he has been the representative of the Quartet for peace in the Middle East. On the other hand, there will also perhaps be Mr. Rasmussen, the Danish President of the Socialist International who will put himself forward, but we don't know of any other candidate."

http://www.euinfo.ie/index.php?page=news&op=readNews&title=%95+Blair+for+EU+President+if+Lisbon+enters+into+force%2C+says+French+FM

free-man

marco_polo wrote: »

Oops I made a bit of an ass of myself,. I thought you were talking about the post of EU President, not Blair

Below is basically how I read the conversation. :pac:

No worries

ixtlan

johnwillnot wrote: »

French Foreign Minister suggests Tony Blair is currently the only real candidate for EU President

One comment from one state, made almost 2 years ago? Edit: I stand corrected... much more recent... from today in fact, but the rest of my comment stands... it's one opinion among a minimum of 15...

Some states may have favourites, they are unlikely to promote those that are not their favourites.

It could be Blair, but I suspect he will be too controversial. It's a QMV vote, which means at least 15 states will have to agree. I'm sure there will be several other candidates in the field.

Ix.

moogester

The Times are still banging on about Tony Blair.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6857807.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=2015164

Tony Blair is in line to be proclaimed Europe’s first president within weeks if the Irish vote “yes” in today’s referendum.
Senior British sources have told that President Sarkozy has decided that Mr Blair is the best candidate and that Angela Merkel has softened her opposition.
The former Prime Minister could be ushered into the European Union’s top post at a summit on October 29.

I was under the impression that this wouldnt be possible until the treaty came into effect

namloc1980

moogester wrote: »

The Times are still banging on about Tony Blair.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6857807.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=2015164



I was under the impression that this wouldnt be possible until the treaty came into effect

Me too . I love the way they say 'Europe's first President' without mentioning that our own Liam Cosgrave was actually the 1st President of the European Council back in 1975.

PrivateEye

Tony Blair is in line to be proclaimed Europe’s first president within weeks if the Irish vote “yes” in today’s referendum.

Senior British sources have told The Times that President Sarkozy has decided that Mr Blair is the best candidate and that Angela Merkel has softened her opposition.

The former Prime Minister could be ushered into the European Union’s top post at a summit on October 29.

Ms Merkel, the German Chancellor, was opposed to Mr Blair because she believed that the post should go to a country that had adopted the euro but British sources said that she may now be “biddable” if Germany and France get plum posts in the new European Commission.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6857807.ece

Wow. This could have been a huge, huge issue in the campaign had it been more common knowledge me thinks. Thoughts?