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David Miliband set to sink Tony Blair's hopes of EU presidency
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent23.10.09
Tony Blair's chances of becoming the new EU president appeared to be receding as diplomats talk up David Miliband for another key role.
The Foreign Secretary is being touted as a foreign affairs supremo for Europe. Such a move would almost certainly mean former prime minister Mr Blair could not be chosen as EU president: it is unlikely both posts would be filled by one country.
One Belgian diplomat said: "We have a very favourable impression of Mr Miliband because he has good European credentials."
Another EU diplomat praised the Foreign Secretary, telling The Times: "He is effective and well liked. He has an ability to combine tactics with an understanding of the political big picture."
By accepting the influential EU post Mr Miliband would risk being accused of abandoning Labour but he would avoid years in opposition if, as expected, his party loses the next year's election.
Reader views (9)
What is essential for Britain, Europe, America, the West and indeed the world is to stop "blood on your hands" Blair from becoming "president" of the EU. He, as Bush/Cheney super-lapdog, invaded Iraq with predicted (we were in that distinguished company of Cassandras) catastrophic consequences for all those entities. No one did more to wreck European unity.
How is it possible that Mr. Sarkozy and some other EU leaders could conceivably back Blair for president? Nothing more surely demonstrates the lack of common sense and myopia of our pathetic bunch of European leaders - save one o tow exceptions!
If we have to accept Milliband as Euro-foreign boss, that's a heavy price that has to be paid to stop Blair. It is to be hoped that popular resistance to Blair throughouit Europe won't make thta necessary. Funny how Milliband seems to be the big grin smart Alec that Blair was - and still is.
- Dipconsult, aquitaine, france
Millibrand is a safer bet for the EU role as he's unlikely to be answering war crimes charges
- Simon Knowles, Thatcham, England
I think Miliband got all the talents and knowledge to present UK at EU level. I'm sure that he will straight go to the chair and believe me that he can stand for UK.We should support him whatever we can.
- Juma, Cardiff
If a Brit gets either of these two EU positions, then they're going to look a bit daft when we vote to reject the EU Constitution in a referendum after the next election. What a footnote to end the New Labour chapter !
- Doug Watt, london e14
For years I've often wondered why UK politicians often appeared to favour EU policies over the UKs. I always thought perhaps they knew something we didnt and therefore acted accordingly.
Now I realise that they were acting in their own best interests. Blair seeking more power coveted the role of becoming the EU's first president.
Its never been about the voters' interests. Getting into government is an opportunity to line your own pockets and find new contacts in order to get lucrative work or careers in the future.
- Dm, UK
A Plague on all their houses. We want some HONEST politicians elected at the next G.E. not a load of amateurs so many of whom have been shown to be feathering their own nests. When Parliament proceedings are televised at times other than Question Time where are they all. They are not to be seen in the House where there may be only half a dozen there? Probably estimating how high they can run their expenses.
- Dave, Emsworth. Hampshire
I like it, we get rid of Millibland to the EU where he can shuffle some paper and Blair gets kicked into touch.
- Bob, Cheam
It sums up the quality of the EU that they think the grinning boy wonder would be good to represent Europe as a Foreign Secretary. He was so politically inept that even idiot Brown was able to outmanoeuvre him in his pathetic bid to get to the top of the Labour party dung pile. From memory he also has managed to offend or be ignored by almost country he visited.
- Jon, london
And these foreign diplomats who are lobbying on behalf of Miliband in preference to candidates from their own countries, do they have names? Or are we just supposed to take it on trust that they exist? I'm afraid it doesn't sound very likely to me. In fact it sounds very like a Mandelson spin operation.
- Al Swinscoe, Enfield, UK
