by afew
Tue Apr 7th, 2009 at 09:25:01 AM EST
There's the sound of a kite flapping in the wind in The Independent, under the byline of Political Editor Jane Merrick. (No other news source appears to be carrying the story, which strengthens the kite-flying hypothesis). Update [2009-4-7 16:28:33 by afew]: No longer true, see comments below.
Blair steps up fight to be crowned first 'President of EU' - Europe, World - The Independent
Tony Blair has emerged as the leading candidate to become the first permanent president of the European Union after Gordon Brown gave his grudging blessing to the plan. The former prime minister has stepped up his campaign for the job, which he wants to use to build a bridge between Europe and the new Obama administration.
His return to the global stage would be a shock to his critics over the Iraq war and dismay many in Europe.
But The Independent on Sunday has learnt that Mr Brown has accepted that his old rival should be in pole position for the appointment, on the basis that Britain needs to have a key figure in the architecture of the "new world order".
Yes, you read it. Blair has emerged from dealings in corridors and dimly-lit rooms, presumably, as the leading candidate for the new post of President of the European Council. This is apparently because Gordon Brown has given the go-ahead (no, there is no end to self-serving British insularity) because Britain needs to have a key figure in the architecture of the "new world order". Yes, you read that too: we are about to have yet another "new world order", meaning, the US with a new president is going to lead us all, with a British poodle to heel. You have to be a Serious™ Political Editor to write this stuff with a straight face. You also have to be parochially British not to suggest first of all why Blair should be president in terms of the interests of Europe and the EU. But never mind the bollocks, you can deconstruct the rest of the article (that tells us Sarko is on board, as is Barroso who has every chance of continuing as head of the European Commission), in comments.
Fourteen months ago European Tribune launched a campaign and a petition:
Are we going to have to relaunch? Or is this article not to be taken too seriously?
