Anthony Barnett (London, OK): Today's Independent reports that Tony Blair is warming to the idea of becoming President of Europe even though he would have to give up a "clutch of lucrative business appointments". With a classic Blair spin he has let it be known that he "does not want to be seen to be angling for the job or as the front-runner, which might enable opponents to rally against him". This means he is desperate to get out of the Middle-East. However, "friends" believe he would only "accept a heavy-hitting role as a "Mr Europe" figure".
It seems that already he bidding for full power: "He would not want the job if most of his time was to be spent chairing meetings and brokering deals among the EU's 27 member states". In addition,
Another issue is whether he would have to be based in Brussels and how much time he would spent representing the EU on the world stage.
Like the answer might be "yes" our Dictator would have to be based in Brussels and, yes, spend his time being Dictator - although not, of course, chairing meetings or undertaking the tiresome work of brokering agreement. I was reminded of the interview with Robin Butler in the Aaronovitch TV films. Butler was Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service in 1997 when Blair arrived. He said that the New Labour leaders had conducted a coup. When Butler suggested that Blair put the issue of Bank of England independence to the Cabinet because "we have Cabinet government in this country, Prime Minister", Blair brushed him aside on the grounds that members of the Cabinet might disagree.
Hat tip Open Europe
