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Gordon Brown was set to give one last push to Tony Blair's hopes of becoming EU President today as heads of government gathered for the Berlin Wall celebrations.
Downing Street said the Prime Minister would continue to press his predecessor's case as it emerged that Mr Blair had lobbied European leaders behind the scenes.
But even allies admitted that, at best, Mr Blair's chances were “50-50” and that the “mood is not very positive”. German chancellor Angela Merkel is seen as pivotal to choosing who should get the plum post of EU President — but she has already warned that she does not want today's celebrations to be marred by Brussels-style horse-trading. However, diplomats saw it as inevitable that the EU leaders would discuss the role.
Mr Blair would only accept the role if it were a powerful chief executive-style job rather than a mere “chairman” of the European Council.
One ally today said: “Tony got to the stage where he had to court some people, if only to assess whether the game is up or not. Even supportive people are indicating the consensus is for a committee chairman, not a chief.”
Reader views (10)
Blair: Back me Gordon and I'll give it up after one term and then you can take over.
Brown: Okay then.
Blair (aside): Mug!
- Paul, London, 10/11/2009 09:36
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despite captaining the fast sinking good ship 'new labour' brown still maintains a disasterous course
determined to drive his ship onto the jagged rocks.
his political machinations and perverse symbiotic relationship with his nemisis blair blind him to the blatent truth, neither the english, or europeans have
any desire to see PRESIDENT BLAIR in any further position of authority. he is a spent and discredited
self serving, vain glorious force for all that is negative and unpaletable.i would think future historians
will look back on his inglorious reign with incredulatity
and remember hitler's maxim that the greater the lie the
more it will be believed.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk, 09/11/2009 15:12
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Not surprised Brown is backing Blair. Whatever their past relationship, when Blair was PM, Brown backed his discreditable global and financial policies. Together, they're both responsible for quite a bit of the mess this country now finds itself in. Obviously, with Blair in power in Europe, it will go a long way to minimising possibilities of future prosecutions for the pair involving any aspects of war crimes/extraordinary renditions etc, at home and abroad.
- Jay, London, 09/11/2009 14:22
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I've had enough of being ruled by unelected oafs in some political elite. Now the EU is going to be running (or should that be ruining) the place with more layers of unelected unaccountable idiots sucking our tax pounds in and claiming huge expenses and making our lives more and more miserable. Well if the EU is now a country and we merely a small unimportant state within that country. Taking a lesson from history I want to secede from the (European) Union. Let's be the New Confederates and get the heck out. Let them have Bliar and McRuin. We need out NOW!
- Ethan, UK, 09/11/2009 14:04
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For somebody who was so anxious to see Blair step down as PM, Brown seems remarkably anxious to see his Bete Noir installed as European President.
Surely the domestic unpopularity of such a move has not failed to permeate the Downing Street bunker!
- John C, Leatherhead, UK, 09/11/2009 13:53
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... (Blair) is a nasty, vindictive man who is only out for what he can make for himself (either in financial terms or in status).
- Andy, London.
Andy, I find your opinion of Tony Blair absolutely astonishing. Whatever Blair´s failings may be, he is neither nasty nor vindictive. As for him being only out for what he can make for himself, aren´t we all to some extent? Personally, I think Blair would make an excellent President of the EU, with the best wishes of the Union at heart. I´d back him if I was in a position to do so.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 09/11/2009 13:50
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President Bliar?
Deputy President Gormless Brown?
Deputy Assistant President Meddleslime?
Deputy Assistant Acting President Prescott?
Deputy Assistant Acting Under President Blunkett?
GET THIS LOAD OF PARASITES OUT OF OFFICE NOW.
- Reuben Camara, Plot 1, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 09/11/2009 13:10
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There's no need to worry. The Jonah effect will soon come into effect, so Bliar is doomed.
- Albert Hall, Kettering, 09/11/2009 12:59
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Isn't that the wrong picture? It's Waldorf and Statler from the muppets isn't it? Oh no, I've got my muppets confused, it's Tony and Gordon.
- Bob, Cheam, 09/11/2009 12:45
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When are these pair of goons going to give up? I'm pro Europe but despair at the prospect that Blair might ever play any part in it...he is a nasty, vindictive man who is only out for what he can make for himself (either in financial terms or in status).
- Andy, london, 09/11/2009 11:54
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