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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Blair EU bid 'an act of vanity' | Blair EU bid 'an act of vanity' |
| (5 days later) | |
| An attempt by Tony Blair to become President of the European Council would be an "act of political vanity", Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said. | An attempt by Tony Blair to become President of the European Council would be an "act of political vanity", Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said. |
| Mr Blair has discussed the idea with Gordon Brown, his successor as prime minister, with senior Downing Street figures urging him to launch a bid. | Mr Blair has discussed the idea with Gordon Brown, his successor as prime minister, with senior Downing Street figures urging him to launch a bid. |
| BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell said Mr Brown was "waiting for a nod" from his predecessor before voicing his support. | BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell said Mr Brown was "waiting for a nod" from his predecessor before voicing his support. |
| But Mr Clegg said backing Mr Blair would be "an embarrassing diversion". | But Mr Clegg said backing Mr Blair would be "an embarrassing diversion". |
| The role of EU Council president - dubbed by many as "president of Europe" - will come into being next year, if the organisation's 27 member states ratify the Lisbon Treaty, signed by national leaders in December. | The role of EU Council president - dubbed by many as "president of Europe" - will come into being next year, if the organisation's 27 member states ratify the Lisbon Treaty, signed by national leaders in December. |
| 'New ideas' | 'New ideas' |
| The exact nature and status of the role is yet to be decided. | The exact nature and status of the role is yet to be decided. |
| Some countries want a high-profile figure to represent the EU on the world stage, while others propose a more low-key, bureaucratic figure. | Some countries want a high-profile figure to represent the EU on the world stage, while others propose a more low-key, bureaucratic figure. |
| French president Nicolas Sarkozy has openly backed Mr Blair. | French president Nicolas Sarkozy has openly backed Mr Blair. |
| He wants to be leader of Europe, but he was more responsible than anybody for dividing Europe over the Iraq war Sir Malcolm RifkindConservative MP | He wants to be leader of Europe, but he was more responsible than anybody for dividing Europe over the Iraq war Sir Malcolm RifkindConservative MP |
| In a speech last month, seen by many as the launch of a possible EU presidency bid, Mr Blair called for "new ideas" on Europe. | In a speech last month, seen by many as the launch of a possible EU presidency bid, Mr Blair called for "new ideas" on Europe. |
| The BBC's Mardell said the former prime minister was "interested, but cautious" and only wanted the "job on his terms if the president is really going to be a strong presence" globally. | The BBC's Mardell said the former prime minister was "interested, but cautious" and only wanted the "job on his terms if the president is really going to be a strong presence" globally. |
| He added that, if he launched a campaign, Mr Brown would feel compelled to support him. | He added that, if he launched a campaign, Mr Brown would feel compelled to support him. |
| However, Mr Clegg, a former member of the European Parliament, said: "Tony Blair's candidacy for the post of president of the European Council is a display of political vanity and will not succeed. | However, Mr Clegg, a former member of the European Parliament, said: "Tony Blair's candidacy for the post of president of the European Council is a display of political vanity and will not succeed. |
| "His foreign policy ended in disaster in Iraq, he divided Europe and wrenched Britain away from key allies. | "His foreign policy ended in disaster in Iraq, he divided Europe and wrenched Britain away from key allies. |
| "The EU presidency will not be powerful, but it will require a figure who can lead by consensus, not division. | "The EU presidency will not be powerful, but it will require a figure who can lead by consensus, not division. |
| "Gordon Brown should recognise that talk of 'President Blair is an embarrassing distraction for Britain in Europe and refuse to support him." | "Gordon Brown should recognise that talk of 'President Blair is an embarrassing distraction for Britain in Europe and refuse to support him." |
| To become president, Mr Blair would need the backing of the majority of EU member states' governments. | |
| The other main figure being mentioned for the job is Luxembourg's prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker. | The other main figure being mentioned for the job is Luxembourg's prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker. |
| 'Good for Britain' | 'Good for Britain' |
| German chancellor Angela Merkel is also thought to be a possible candidate, if she loses her country's general election next year. | German chancellor Angela Merkel is also thought to be a possible candidate, if she loses her country's general election next year. |
| Labour MP and former Europe minister Denis MacShane told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think he [Mr Blair] has been one of the biggest national leaders Europe has had in the last generation." | Labour MP and former Europe minister Denis MacShane told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think he [Mr Blair] has been one of the biggest national leaders Europe has had in the last generation." |
| He added: "If he wants the job... from a British point of view it's always good to have a Brit in a top job." | He added: "If he wants the job... from a British point of view it's always good to have a Brit in a top job." |
| And Commons leader Harriet Harman said it was always "good for Britain and good for Europe" when a leading British politician played a leading role in the EU. | And Commons leader Harriet Harman said it was always "good for Britain and good for Europe" when a leading British politician played a leading role in the EU. |
| An online petition against Mr Blair becoming president, organised by the European Tribune group, has attracted more than 2,900 petitions. | An online petition against Mr Blair becoming president, organised by the European Tribune group, has attracted more than 2,900 petitions. |
| 'Astonished' | 'Astonished' |
| Conservative MP and former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind said: "By his own standards, his [Mr Blair's] whole strategy on Europe failed miserably. | Conservative MP and former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind said: "By his own standards, his [Mr Blair's] whole strategy on Europe failed miserably. |
| "He wants to be leader of Europe, but he was more responsible than anybody for dividing Europe over the Iraq war. | "He wants to be leader of Europe, but he was more responsible than anybody for dividing Europe over the Iraq war. |
| "He failed to get Britain into the single currency, I'm delighted to say, but he didn't even dare have a referendum... | "He failed to get Britain into the single currency, I'm delighted to say, but he didn't even dare have a referendum... |
| "He didn't even ask the British public. He just dropped the idea. I would be astonished if the rest of Europe sees him as their natural spokesman." | "He didn't even ask the British public. He just dropped the idea. I would be astonished if the rest of Europe sees him as their natural spokesman." |
| Under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, a politician would be chosen to be president of the European Council for two-and-a-half years, replacing the current system where countries take turns at being president for six months. | Under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, a politician would be chosen to be president of the European Council for two-and-a-half years, replacing the current system where countries take turns at being president for six months. |
| Mr Blair stood down as prime minister last June after more than 10 years in power. | Mr Blair stood down as prime minister last June after more than 10 years in power. |
| He is currently working as a peace envoy to the Middle East and has taken up advisory roles with insurance firm Zurich and investment bank JP Morgan. | He is currently working as a peace envoy to the Middle East and has taken up advisory roles with insurance firm Zurich and investment bank JP Morgan. |