Blair's own Waterloo as presidential campaign begins to falter

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1223700/Tony-Blair-ready-EU-presidency-support-vanishing-Spain-Germany.html


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/10/30/article-1223700-06FED759000005DC-413_224x379.jpg


Tony Blair's hopes of becoming President of Europe were dealt a fresh and possibly devastating blow today as the French leader signalled he would not back him. Nicolas Sarkozy, who was initially one of Mr Blair's most vocal supporters, declared that there would be a joint Franco-German candidate for the post. And he warned: 'The first names to come out of the hat are not the ones that are finally chosen.'

This appeared to be a clear reference to Mr Blair, who was at first seen as the hot favourite to land the plum £275,000-a-year post. The French President's comments came as Gordon Brown reiterated his backing for his predecessor, and David Miliband ruled out becoming EU high representative - a role that will also be created once the Lisbon Treaty is ratified.

The Foreign Secretary moved to quash mounting speculation that he was being lined up for the post, repeating that he was not available.
'I am not a candidate. I am not available. I am proud to be Foreign Secretary in Gordon's Government and that's what I am determined to do,' he said. His insistence came amid growing support in Europe, with France's most respected newspaper Le Monde yesterday lavishing him with praise.
It described him as 'young and brilliant', hailing his pro-Europe speech this week in which he insisted the EU needed a global presence alongside China and the U.S.

EU leaders agreed a Czech opt out to the European Charter of Human Rights last night, which means the Lisbon Treaty is one step closer to being ratified. The only remaining frontier is a ruling from the Czech Constitutional Court, which will meet next week to decide if it can accept the controversial document. Czech president Vaclav Klaus is expected to ratify it once that decision is passed down, as long as it concludes there is no reason to block it.

I'm quite sad, because while I do not want a President of Europe, nevermind a European Union I want Tony Blair to get the job, because theres no one more suitable to ruining something and turning the people against it, and with President Blair ruling it down on the British people I don't think they will like it very much, neither will the rest of Europe who detest the man for the Iraq War.

The President role is formed from the Lisbon Treaty, which lays the foundations for the European Union to become a superstate, meaning that essentially in my eyes and the eyes of many, the United Kingdom now becomes a 'satelitte' state under the banner of the European Union. 84% of our laws are made in the European Union by unelected officals, and the Presidential role will not be elected either.

The Labour Party did promise in their 2005 manifesto to give the people a referendum on whether or not we wanted the Lisbon Treaty, however they backtracked on this promise. The only other country to recieve a vote was the Republic of Ireland (because their constitutional legally says they have to) and they voted no the first time and yes the second time - because the EU can't accept the word no.

If you want a short summary on what the Lisbon Treaty basically does, then look here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kr0Foq3CQE) for a short explanation by a Irish MEP.

Do you think the British people should get a say on the Lisbon Treaty? (which creates the post of President of Europe)

[BlueTango]

I voted no, but only because I'd of rather of selected a 'not sure' option :)

In some ways I think it would be a good thing if Tony Blair got the job - having a brit in the position would certainly work in our favour. But at the same time I'm not a big fan of the EU :(

The idea of the EU having a president and becoming a bit of a superstate is good, but at the same time I worry that it will overshadow individual countries in the group and put a leash on our ability to have freedom as a country.

[Alkaz]

I hate the fact we are apart of the EU. We need to stay on our own or we wont be 'Great' no more.

[GommeInc]

I voted yes. A nation is built out of citizens. Without citizens, a nation would not exist. It would be a government ruling nothing. As a nation, everyone should be entitled to their opinion on anything that would effect the workings of, and the running of that nation - much like General and Local Elections, the EU vote is no different and neither are these treaties - treaties throughout the years are created for the citizens and usually by the citizens if interests and so forth are wavering e.g. that treaty which seperate Monaco from France and Italy to make it ahve its own Sovereign State and the Hong Kong treaty which seperated Hong Kong from the British Empire.

So yes, we should be entitled to vote or have a say on the Lisbon Treaty, it effects us. We cannot be chucked to one side by our public servants who think they know best, they are elected to serve, not over-rule :/

Democracy and all that jazz afterall.

[-:Undertaker:-]

I hate the fact we are apart of the EU. We need to stay on our own or we wont be 'Great' no more.

I hate the European Union aswell, its the issue of all our problems as it makes 84% of all our laws - nothing can be done in this country without leaving the European Union, its like back in the 1970s when Thatcher traced all the problems of the country back to one thing, the Unions. This time its the European Union.

While I don't want the EU and we should get a say on our membership of that aswell, I think we should at least get a say on the Lisbon Treaty which forms the foundations of a superstate, because we all know if the British people and people of other nations across Europe were given a say on the Lisbon Treaty or even the EU itself, the EU would end overnight.

[BlueTango]

The EU - however many bad things it has caused for us - is also the cause of some great things in this country. For example, without the EU our minimum wage would be much lower than it is now.

I don't mind us being in the EU - the only bad thing is that we're forced to allow citizens from other EU countries into ours.

[-:Undertaker:-]

The EU - however many bad things it has caused for us - is also the cause of some great things in this country. For example, without the EU our minimum wage would be much lower than it is now.

I don't mind us being in the EU - the only bad thing is that we're forced to allow citizens from other EU countries into ours.

That was the Labour Party as far as I know which introduced that act, and even if it was the European Union - since when were we unable to make decisions for ourselves?. We pay billions into the European Union, it isn't elected, it isn't wanted and it hates us. Germany and France are the big players, Europe cannot stand the United Kingdom.

Napolean, Hitler and Stalin all tried to form a European state, we fought with millions of lives and now we're handing it to them on a silver plate. You can say its quite a stark constrat comparing evil states to the modern day EU, but thats what it is - something that makes 84% of our laws and is unelected and unwanted is a dictatorship.

[BlueTango]

It's all very well saying "The EU may have introduced that good thing to our country, but we'd of made that decision anyway" but you don't know that do you? The point is, however bad the EU may be (and it is pretty bad!) it has done some good.

I do agree that the so many million we pay everyday to be in the EU would be better-spent elsewhere though :)

[-:Undertaker:-]

It's all very well saying "The EU may have introduced that good thing to our country, but we'd of made that decision anyway" but you don't know that do you? The point is, however bad the EU may be (and it is pretty bad!) it has done some good.

I do agree that the so many million we pay everyday to be in the EU would be better-spent elsewhere though :)

I said before, I am sure that was the Labour Party and not the European Union which introduced that policy. Infact I have just checked that out and it was the Labour Party which introduced the minimum wage in 1999 and had nothing to do with the European Union.

[BlueTango]

Ok, my bad - maybe it was the government. But the fact that a lot of the other countries in the EU were putting their wages up at the time probably contributed ;)

Apologies about that, but I'm sure there are plenty of other good things that the EU has brung to this country - such as trade relations.

[GommeInc]

The EU does have some barmy rules. One I can think of effects the amount of fish we can capture in our seas - fish isn't a rare comodity in some parts of the UK, but EU fishing regulations limit the amount the UK can fish which puts alot of fishermen out of the job because the rules go for the country in whole, rather than each individual fishery etc. That's what I remember hearing at least, could of changed though. The EU was a good idea when it first appeared (EC and EEC/ECC), but when it turned into the EU it became hungry for power, which may or may not have effected countries any differently (they would at least be a bit unique :P)

When France had the franc for example, going to France wasn't too expensive, but when the Euro came about things became noticeably more expensive...

[StefanWolves]

I would have liked to have seen a British EU President. Lets face it, Blaire is an ass, but I think I'd rather have him as 'President' rather than some French/German pig who won't listen to what the UK has to say.

I also do not want to be ruled by a French/German lead government (which is what it basically is, don't deny it) and a French ******* (Nikolas Sarkozy) who is in a relationship with an ex-stripper.

[alexxxxx]

the president has no power. it's just a figurehead, a talker.

the euro is only strong against the pound atm because of the devalued pound. it was at one point £1=€1.70

[-:Undertaker:-]

the president has no power. it's just a figurehead, a talker.

the euro is only strong against the pound atm because of the devalued pound. it was at one point £1=€1.70

European Union leaders and those who support this federalist project are terrified of public opinion, its a complete sham. The EU may say its not heading for a superstate, but its clear we are. German and French leaders want it, Peter Mandelson and a lot of Labour want it and the EU want it. It can be seen clearly with the threats Mr Klaus was given by EU leaders and the way him and Mr Cameron have been treated by EU leaders.

We were also told by Labour that we would be given a referendum yet we were lied to. We were also told that the EEC would never become a European Union, a superstate - also a lie.

..so you'll understand if nobody believes you and the EU when you say the President will have no real power.

[ifuseekamy]

Blair being president will be of little benefit to us; his number 1 priority is kissing ass.

[alexxxxx]

..so you'll understand if nobody believes you and the EU when you say the President will have no real power.

well this is written in a treaty. a legally binding treaty. there would have to be another treaty for the pres to have some power and I can't see another treaty passing where a single president gets powers above member states and rightfully so, because that would be way too far.

[-:Undertaker:-]

well this is written in a treaty. a legally binding treaty. there would have to be another treaty for the pres to have some power and I can't see another treaty passing where a single president gets powers above member states and rightfully so, because that would be way too far.

As that MEP says, it isn't a treaty. It is a document with amendments to thousands of other laws and regulations, it isn't a treaty. The European Union does have power over member states, and that is too far. I saw on the news the other day the EU commission had 'approved' something to do with splitting Northern Rock - sorry, but since when did unelected officals gain the right to decide how our country is run?

[alexxxxx]

As that MEP says, it isn't a treaty. It is a document with amendments to thousands of other laws and regulations, it isn't a treaty. The European Union does have power over member states, and that is too far. I saw on the news the other day the EU commission had 'approved' something to do with splitting Northern Rock - sorry, but since when did unelected officals gain the right to decide how our country is run?

because of our membership of the single market, we have to abide by market rules regarding takeovers, splits and the like. It's to stop unfair amounts of state aid or subsidy which damages other member states' business. :eusa_wall

do you think it would be unfair if the german government were to give toyota alot of money to build their cars there, instead of the UK? i do.

[-:Undertaker:-]

because of our membership of the single market, we have to abide by market rules regarding takeovers, splits and the like. It's to stop unfair amounts of state aid or subsidy which damages other member states' business. :eusa_wall

do you think it would be unfair if the german government were to give toyota alot of money to build their cars there, instead of the UK? i do.

No, as thats Germany catering for its own people as we should be doing.

[alexxxxx]

No, as thats Germany catering for its own people as we should be doing.

:eusa_wall:eusa_wall:eusa_wall:eusa_wall:eusa_wall

[Nixt]

:eusa_wall:eusa_wall:eusa_wall:eusa_wall:eusa_wall

LOL ^!

I think the principle idea of the EU is a good one - mainly because of the way in which it has created a massive 'free market' in which our economy undoubtedly benefits. There are many policies and ideas that I do not agree with, but that's a different story. Ultimately I think we are better off in the EU than out.
What I don't agree with, is how there are occasions where unanimity between member states is often not required in decisions made by the EU and even in these situations it is difficult to opt out of the decisions made that influence this country.

I undoubtedly agree there should be a referendum on the treaty. I think it's important that the British People are given a direct say on something that will effect the country considerably.

[ifuseekamy]

I think the principle idea of the EU is a good one - mainly because of the way in which it has created a massive 'free market' in which our economy undoubtedly benefits.
Yes, paying £4.1billion a year (which is due for a 60% rise to £6.4billion next year) to the EU as well as over £50billion (http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/6798219243887862847/burdens_barometer_2009.pdf) on EU regulations is undoubtedly doing our economy wonders. We don't get back anything close to what we give to the EU, that is the point of it. Essentially we are giving money to mainland Europe in the same way we give aid money to African countries.

What Britons voted for decades ago was free trade with Europe, not being part of a Franco-German federation that controls our economy and political affairs. Poor Eastern European countries may do better under it but for Britain it's nothing more than a leech.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Yes, paying £4.1billion a year (which is due for a 60% rise to £6.4billion next year) to the EU as well as over £50billion (http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/6798219243887862847/burdens_barometer_2009.pdf) on EU regulations is undoubtedly doing our economy wonders. We don't get back anything close to what we give to the EU, that is the point of it. Essentially we are giving money to mainland Europe in the same way we give aid money to African countries.

What Britons voted for decades ago was free trade with Europe, not being part of a Franco-German federation that controls our economy and political affairs. Poor Eastern European countries may do better under it but for Britain it's nothing more than a leech.

Thank you, somebody who actually can see the pathetic lies we've been told by Labour, the ruling elite and the EU over the past years to see the real truth.