Hail President Blair?

Liz Brown

By what token can you possibly say that the EU Constitution is now dead - the Lisbon treaty carries exactly the same agenda as the Constitution only hidden in different places - we must all pray that the Irish and Czechs say NO and that Cameron totally renegotiates British membership of the whole ghastly EU thing. The majorities want OUT

Jonathan

Well if we must have a President of Europe; shouldn’t he or she at least be elected by the people of Europe? After all, isn’t the EU supposed to embody the democratic ideal? I ask you - how can a failed, national European leader, elected by closed committee, promote these virtues to the world?

Surely it would be better if the commission waited another 4 years and allowed the European Parliament’s groupings to nominate their own candidate. At the next European elections we could then vote for our MEP’s and our European President. At least then they would have some legitimacy to go along with their no doubt large ego, salary and expenses.

Or of course, we could just forget about the whole idea of a President and remember that we are a community of nation, sovereign States. I know which option I prefer.

The Bellman

I have no desire to see the EU superstate function at all, let alone well, so it would be good if a Blair presidency caused irreparable friction between the UK, Germany and France, especially because of jostling over the queue to leg-hump Obama. Nothing would highlight the petty narcissism and appalling self-regard of EU enthusiasts more clearly than such a tiff.

Also a 'rockstar presidency' is doing the USA precisely no practical good whatever, so having a vacuous shill with 'international starpower' instead of judgement and integrity could be just what we need to reinforce the fatuousness of the project.

Victor, NW Kent

It is warm today but I am shuddering.

mac

So Blair saying that he'd rather have his bolloc*s nailed to a speeding train was, er, bolloc*s then?

Gasp! Was the straight kinda guy fibbing, then?

john miller

I agree. Blair as chairman of anything - it defies the imagination.

But a different piece of furniture, perhaps...

Enter Sofaman!

Vidkun Quisling

If you must evangelise for the European Union, please learn the difference between "free trade" and "customs union". The EU is not a "free trade" area, it is a customs union. The difference is crucial to many, especially those in the developing world who'd dearly love free trade with the UK.

John Goulding

The thought of that self-interested, money obsessed, murdering, religious nut as President of Europe makes me want to vomit!!!
He screwed England and increased his bank balance and property portfolio and now he will probably screw Europe...I don't know what idiots were taken in by his chessey grin in the first place. The Conservatives had their problems but when Blair got into power, common sense and intelligence went straight out the window!!!

tenpin

Democracy at work....Who will actually vote for this "President of Europe" and speak in our name. Personally, I don't think the UK should be allowed to put a candidate forward as we have not had the chance to vote for the constitution, as we were promised, and we are not fully fledged memebers of the EU (in that we do not have the Euro). Also in this time of economic meltdown who exactly will be paying for this president and his ontourage/admin/body guards/make up artist/second home in Brussels/pension/private property portfolio etc?

Sickening in the extreme.

Vulture

A starry eyed Europhile seems to have infiltrated Coffee House under the name Daniel Korski. Blair is a criminal and a serial liar who just can't help himself. The term 'starpower' when applied to this appalling individual is a joke in very poor taste. The very thought of Blair makes me - and I imagine most other people - feel physically sick.

Son of Belial

Mr Blair is the Hand of Death - he wrecks all he touches. So he's my choice for President of the EU. The sooner the better.

Freeborn John

The role of president of the EU Council may not have much formal power, but it has a lot of informal power. The holder of this post is the only one who knows the bargaining position of all the 27 heads of government (revealed in the so-called 'confessionals') in EU Council meetings. He/she therefore is uniquely able to see what possible agreements could be reached, and is in a powerful position to steer the EU Council towards outcomes he favours and away from outcomes he is against. This makes the holder of the presidency of the EU Council the most powerful figure in the room.

It is mistake to trivialize this role as some diehards federalists like Daheane do simply because they would prefer that the president of the EU Commision (a supranational institution) holds power rather than the EU Council (formed of national governments) or to minimize the long-term significance while it can still be rejected by Irish voters. The long-term evolution of this role could be akin to president of France with the Commission president being akin to the French prime minister. We do not need such figures in Europe who would drain power from the democratic arena of the nation-state and voters.

Colin

I may have to resubmit my e-petition to Number 10, asking for Brown to do all he can to ensure that Blair was blocked from becoming the president of the eu.

They rejected it last time round. Maybe this time Brown will allow it?

Frank P

Not only re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic - but ordering a new shipment and choosing a new Captain to boot.

You don't get it do you Daniel Korski? The citizens of England do not want to be part of a superstate. We must demand a referendum as soon as we can prise the slimy tentacles of this scaly-backed, jumped-up-never-come-down bunch of slithering fuckwits off the levers of power at the Palace of Westminster.

As for allowing T Blair to emerge like a Phoenix from the pile of turds he left behind him, to assume any form of authority, direct or indirect over the affairs of this country, ever again, in any way, shape or form, should be listed in the High Courts of Justice in the Strand as a crime against humanity - and prosecuted unto death.

"Hail President Blair!" My arse!

William Blakes Ghost

Who cares?

If the EU President is little more than a ceremonial position then they will become a symbol of EU grandiosity, arrogance and waste.

If the EU President attempts to be something more substantive then they will invariably anger member states one by one and become a handy target for Eurosceptic parties propaganda domestically. It will only demonstrate how little democratic influence national populations have over the EU.

Either way the role is another source for resentment and Euroscepticism. Bring the EU President on!

PS If Blair were to get it would Labour drop below 10% vote share at the next Euro elections? I wouldn't bet against that?

Rhoda Klapp

How ever did we spend years and years arguing about what was in the EU constitution and the Lisbon Treaty without knowing the presidents role. Is it not described anywhere? He/She obviously is not a Head of State, so what's the use?

Oh, and if the Lisbon Treaty is merely a tidying-up exercise, and not worthy of a referendum, how can it have a massive constitutional step like a president in it?

I have nails and my own hammer. I need to borrow a speeding train, they are not to be had around here. Oh, and I need Mr Blair present too.

Jock

Blair main legacy as UK PM is his truly record of improving his personal financial status and prospects.

The Kinnocks are well placed to recognise this particular talent.

If TB gets this job, we can be sure that he will continue to deliver.

seb2

Two things you neglect though.

(1) There is a strong view that it should be someone from one of the european left of centre parties. Blair may be the most attractice such candidate to the right-wing governments now in paris and berlin.

(2) Both paris and berlin want a gaullist rather than a federalist. Blair is one of the few potential candidates who is strongly opposed to a federalist agenda and in favour of a stronger role for national governments.

jez

Jonathan, whether the president should be elected by the people of europe or selected by the leaders of each country is a critical debate in whether you believe in a federal europe or a europe of nation-states.

You seem to argue for the federalist model (a president elected directly by the people of europe) then suggest that actually it would be better to retain a nation-states model?

Bruce, UK

Not in my name.

tenpin

To the "who cares" posts above - I care and you should too as your taxes will be paying for his cheesy grin and ego. Not to mention his priviledged lifestyle and expanding property portfolio. Granted he will not have any "real" power but Tony doesn't want power he only wants to be on the world stage (the real saviour of the world) - get his Nobel Peace Prize, photo-op with Obama, etc. If he gets the post I will invest what meager savings I have in a paper shredding company - as no one and I mean no one will see his expense forms.

Maybe one of the coffehousers can help me out with this question - does Labour have the majority share of MEPs representing the UK? I doubt it - so why should they be able to put their candidate forward.

Sickening.

Disorganised1

Our un-elected minister for Europe announces that when our un-approved European Treaty is ratified, then our un-wanted choice for President will be the liar in chief.

How very European.

daniel1979

Sign the petition:

http://stopblair.eu/

THX1138

It warms that heart of a committed Blairophile to see the great man astride the world stage again, hasn't politics been dull and pedestrian without him?

BTW doesn't TB look great- Tanned, slim, fit, relaxed and rich.

Jean Baker

"Free trade ..." ?? !!! Never before has British industry and manufacturing been so bound in EU/Nulabor red tape.

Fronted by Bliar, Nulabor's of state controlled 'socialist totalitarianism' was their undisclosed true manifesto.

jon dee

Lets hope you are right, but Tony Blair is probably anticipating another Iraq War whitewash, this time from Chilcott, for him to be so confident in his bid for the EU presidency.

Despite backing from war paymaster Brown and public purse junkie Mrs Kinnock, EU leaders should reject this unwise and vain application.

Blair's illegal war alliance with Bush ignored EU leaders wishes at the time thus making his current self-centred overtures cynical in the extreme.

Who could ever trust Blair again?

drakes drum

How much did the 'party' this unelected woman, married to a man rejected by the people, had in Brussels cost US?

Including travel of her and all the hangers on!!

When our troops have not got all the equipment needed (In spite of the lies spouted by Brown today) this unelected woman is allowed to carry on spending money regardless. It shows the priorities this government has.

President Blair. Well that means far more wars!! This man has got so many deaths on his hands he will end up worse than Stalin!! or Mao!! in the league tables.

I hope Blair gets his due desserts!

Jez

daniel1979;

Done!

Ray

"Both (Merkel and Sarkozy) will be loath to share the limelight with a President Blair when that other President, Barack Obama, comes around for visits".

Hah-hah! That'll teach them to surrender their right to make foreign policy to an EU superstate.

jonathan

Jez – You seem to have misunderstood my argument; probably my fault for not explaining myself very well. I concluded by noting: “we could just forget about the whole idea of a President and remember that we are a community of nation, sovereign States. I know which option I prefer”.

It is this option that I would prefer, but if we have to have a President of Europe – and once Lisbon is ratified, we will – then I stand by my belief that an elected President is preferable to an appointed one. Mainly because an appointed President will be 100% federalist and almost certainly a socialist; whereas an elected President would have to listen more to his or her electorate – a majority of whom I believe, do not want ever-deepening integration. Yes I know – Germany and the Benelux countries are all for it, but in Denmark, Austria, Sweden, the UK and Eastern Europe, euro-scepticism is alive and well.

jonathan

Jez – You seem to have misunderstood my argument; probably my fault for not explaining myself very well. I concluded by noting: “we could just forget about the whole idea of a President and remember that we are a community of nation, sovereign States. I know which option I prefer”.

It is this option that I would prefer, but if we have to have a President of Europe – and once Lisbon is ratified, we will – then I stand by my belief that an elected President is preferable to an appointed one. Mainly because an appointed President will be 100% federalist and almost certainly a socialist; whereas an elected President would have to listen more to his or her electorate – a majority of whom I believe, do not want ever-deepening integration. Yes I know – Germany and the Benelux countries are all for it, but in Denmark, Austria, Sweden, the UK and Eastern Europe, euro-scepticism is alive and well.

Jez

Jonathan;

There's two Jez's on this blog...... you want 'j'ez not Jez (aka Super Jez).

Steve.W

Bruno and Blair.
Can I recommend Bruno? This is the latest film from Sacha Baron Cohen. Also don't forget to sign the petition to stop Tony Blair becoming the EU President.

http://www.stopblair.eu/

The connection between these two? Well Bruno is a vain publicity seeking fool who tries to broker peace in the Middle East, and fails. And Blair, well I think you get the picture (pun?) and I'll stop right there.

But personally, of the two, Bruno or Smuggo, I'd prefer the former to be President, but then if the UK was not in the EU we would not need a President!

strapworld

One thought before your supper.

If it is President Blair, WE GET the First 'Lady' of Europe CHERIE BLAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Erika Salzeck

STOP HIM!
Tell your friends - stop this travesty from happening go to http://stopblair.eu/ . While you are at it you could sign this one too and press for him to be brought to the Hague http://www.petitiononline.com/BWCF/petition.html

Michael Booth

I'd like to nominate Otto von Habsburg as President - let's not beat about the bush, its time to recognise the EU is the Holy Roman Empire in different clothing.

Frank Goddard

Its going to be more likely,"Heil Bliar".THE CONSPIRACY that was discussed as an alternative on this forum a few weeks back is now beginning to move forward.The Kinnocks,Meddlesome,Brown and his cronies have one or two pieces of the jigsaw to fall into position.If the Lisbon treaty is ratified our only hope is to get out of the EU altogether.This could only happen if Cameron wins the election.He has to win,the alternative is, and will be, a socialist Britain for many generations to come.
THE CONSPIRACY theory NOW is becoming a reality,you NOW do not have to have a crystal ball to see what will happen.The reforms that Bliar and Brown pontificate are a ruse to make sure that a Socialist EU will be a facimille' of the old USSR.The danger to this island, its people,its monarchy,to name just a few, will be catastrophic.We are an island,our traditions,our armed forces have always been there to defend our culture,why should we be intergrated into a union that embraces all other cultures when we have always been an independant nation that the rest of the world has tried to emulate.These Socialists here in ths country want us to believe that we will be better off!!Where's the proof?They live in cloud cuckoo land.If the Scottish cabinet of HMG want Europe'nism let them remove themselves from the UK with their independence and become another Ireland,and good riddance.As an Englishman I for one would be glad to see the end of this Scottish ideaology aided and abetted by the Welsh Kinnocks.
Sorry Fraser but we English can only suffer so much,Brown and his co-horts have done too much damage to our English culture and expertise,that we are in danger of losing our identity.
Frank G.....English pensioner.

salieri

An empty show-role for an empty showman, then.

But you miscounted when you mentioned only 2 things that some of us "love to hate" (and no, I don't love to, I just do). A third is the witless Baroness Pillock, who famously and invariably used to talk of British "sovrenity",while doing her utmost to end it.

George Laird

Dear All

Blair has already shown himself to be a liability.

The Europeans know that in this country Blair is despised.

Why take a dud?

Europe needs a strong european leader not an American stooge and mouthpiece.

Blair's sickening grovel to Clinton and Bush turns the stomach.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Mirtha Tidville

Yet more reasons to get out of this nightmare...are you listening Cameron?????

Paul

@daniel1979
Forget Blair. Is there a petition to stop the EU?

@Vulture
I was under the impression that Korski actually works for the EU.

2trueblue

Please let the Irish vote NO again to show that they will not be pushed around and save us all.

Verity

How absolutely tragic that the country formerly known as Britain is brought so low that its fate as a free nation is dependent on the vagaries of the Irish and the Czechs.

The One Worlder Commies and Common Purpose.

David Ossitt

THX1138

I have to believe that you are being flippant; else I would lose my mind.

You are intelligent; you must see him for the imposter he is.

Malcolm

Dear God, please don't let it be the most mendacious PM in living memory. What was that about rewarding failure?? Still, look on the bright side - with his track record for honesty and openess we couldn't ask for a better reason for getting out.

THX1138

David Ossit

I'm not being "flippant" I think TB was a great PM..

Don't forget he won three elections dragged the country out of the nightmare of the dead and sleaze ridden Major years made Britain cool again and knew when to step down.

I'm a big fan of Dave but does anyone think he is going to win three general elections?

I have no doubt that Dave would kill for 60% approval ratings TB was getting before his first term even with Labour on it's knees Dave struggles to get over 40%, this crap poll ratting must be the elephant in the room CCHQ.

Andy

There is one hope; the prospect of Blair as President might encourage the Irish to vote no again!

Cyberman

This would never have happened under the Tories.

M.R.I.

It took just twelve hours for over 200 signatures to be added to the eu Stop Blair petition today. I would love to think that they will reach their aim of 1 million signatures. According to the European Tribune, this petition will be taken into account when the choice of President is made.
www.stopblair.eu

irvin

There will be no President of the EU Council if the Lisbon Treaty is not ratified, yet it was Tony Blair himself who vetoed a referendum on the Treaty. A manifesto pledge broken first by Blair and then again by Brown. If a cross border eu petition is the only voice we have to stop Blair in his tracks, then I hope all who read it, sign it. It is truly appalling that a lying warmonger, responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths says 'no referendum' because he desires to hold a Presidency.

Moira

Seemingly there is now a more respected name in the frame for the job of President of the EU Council, that of former Finnish PM and Speaker, Paavo Lipponen. Evidently he impressed in his stint as Eu president, - presumably did not start illegal wars and was liked by the Finnish population. Not so for T.Blair. The eu petition Stop Blair www.stopblair.eu must be having a worthwhile result. Great news.

M .R I

Even better news, the Czech President has decided to refer The Lisbon Constitution to their Constitution Law before ratification of the said Lisbon Constitution. We, of course, had Gordon Brown who did not bother with such democratic niceties. We DO NOT have a President, we actually have a respected MONARCH, as much as Tony Blair would prefer otherwise.

Please read, www.stopblair.eu