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José Manuel Barroso: the ‘unelected bureaucrat’ telling Britain to shape up José Manuel Barroso: the ‘unelected bureaucrat’ telling Britain to shape up
(about 3 hours later)
Age: 58Age: 58
Appearance: Beleaguered football manager.Appearance: Beleaguered football manager.
Occupation: Outgoing president of the European Commission.Occupation: Outgoing president of the European Commission.
Well, I suppose it’s no job for a wallflower. By “outgoing”, I mean that he’s about to leave office after 10 years in the post.Well, I suppose it’s no job for a wallflower. By “outgoing”, I mean that he’s about to leave office after 10 years in the post.
What are his main duties until then? Setting the EU’s legislative agenda, representing Europe abroad and criticising David Cameron.What are his main duties until then? Setting the EU’s legislative agenda, representing Europe abroad and criticising David Cameron.
I’m only interested in that last one. Criticising him for what? For adopting an anti-EU posture in order to curry favour with the electorate.I’m only interested in that last one. Criticising him for what? For adopting an anti-EU posture in order to curry favour with the electorate.
How dare he! What does he know about running a mid-sized European country into the ground? He used to be the prime minister of Portugal.How dare he! What does he know about running a mid-sized European country into the ground? He used to be the prime minister of Portugal.
Fair enough. What did he actually say? He said that Cameron’s plan to impose a cap on immigrants from eastern Europe was probably illegal and certainly counterproductive. “It would be an historic mistake if on these issues Britain were to continue to alienate its natural allies in central and eastern Europe,” he said in a speech at Chatham House on Monday, “when you were one of the strongest advocates for their accession.”Fair enough. What did he actually say? He said that Cameron’s plan to impose a cap on immigrants from eastern Europe was probably illegal and certainly counterproductive. “It would be an historic mistake if on these issues Britain were to continue to alienate its natural allies in central and eastern Europe,” he said in a speech at Chatham House on Monday, “when you were one of the strongest advocates for their accession.”
Ouch. And the day before he told Andrew Marr that Britain would have “zero influence” if it left the EU.Ouch. And the day before he told Andrew Marr that Britain would have “zero influence” if it left the EU.
Is it normal for the president of the Commission to be so blunt? Not really, but he’s leaving. And he appears to be genuinely frustrated by the British government’s whole approach to Europe.Is it normal for the president of the Commission to be so blunt? Not really, but he’s leaving. And he appears to be genuinely frustrated by the British government’s whole approach to Europe.
Well, he would be, wouldn’t he? Actually Barroso is a bit of an anglophile, and no particular fan of the European superstate. He said the EU would be willing to “accommodate the UK’s legitimate concerns”, but maintains that if the Tories want to push through reforms, they need to first make a positive case for remaining in the EU.Well, he would be, wouldn’t he? Actually Barroso is a bit of an anglophile, and no particular fan of the European superstate. He said the EU would be willing to “accommodate the UK’s legitimate concerns”, but maintains that if the Tories want to push through reforms, they need to first make a positive case for remaining in the EU.
How is the government responding to Barroso’s frank assessments? Grant Schapps called him an “unelected bureaucrat”. How is the government responding to Barroso’s frank assessments? Grant Shapps called him an “unelected bureaucrat”.
And what did Barroso say to that? He said he’d never heard of Grant Schapps. And what did Barroso say to that? He said he’d never heard of Grant Shapps.
Would that we could all make such a claim. He also pointed out he’d been elected twice.Would that we could all make such a claim. He also pointed out he’d been elected twice.
Not to be confused with: former Portuguese midfielder José Barroso.Not to be confused with: former Portuguese midfielder José Barroso.
Do say: “You’ve got to be in it to win it.”Do say: “You’ve got to be in it to win it.”
Don’t say: “How long are you planning on staying in the UK, Mr Barroso?”Don’t say: “How long are you planning on staying in the UK, Mr Barroso?”