The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Blair calls for directly-elected EU president

Who could he possibly have in mind?

By George Eaton Published 29 October 2012 16:37

Tony Blair called for "A Europe wide election" for an EU president. Photograph: Getty Images.

While Labour wins attention with its call for the EU budget to be cut in real-terms, Tony Blair has emerged to offer his thoughts on the union's future. You can read his speech to the Berlin-based Council for the Future of Europe in full here, but the most notable passage concerns the need for a directly-elected EU president.

Blair said:

A Europe wide election for the Presidency of the Commission or Council is the most direct way to involve the public. An election for a big post held by one person – this people can understand.

One is forced to ask, which "one person" could he possibly have in mind?

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Tags: Tony Blair EU Europe

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7 comments

Wed, 2012-10-31 16:48 — Posh Tosh (not verified)

St Tony said the fish are this big if I get elected, and not sardines in a can.

Buy more fish at your supermarket, whilst the prices are cheap!

Do not employ his wife to be a fishing lawyer.

Tue, 2012-10-30 12:46 — Hugh C Markey (not verified)

Tony has blind-sided 'Call Me Dave' and Mildred yet again. The cad, he never mentioned this asperation in his bio.
Tony will run for deffo. Boris is in two minds.[ Isn't he always? ] Gordon has more sense. Can't think of any other politician on the right or left, past or present, who stands an earthly.
Prince Charles, having consulted constitutional experts, has decided it would seriously affect the succession.
UKIP and the anti-EU brigade now know they have a fight on their hands.
Tony will have more titles than a Persian Monarch. We said he'd be back!

President of These United States of Europe.

Tue, 2012-10-30 08:41 — Barrie J (not verified)

Quote:
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”
Joseph Goebbels.
End Quote.
He's a 'boy' that Blair isn't he, what a character?
Part Messianic preacher, part snake oil salesman.

Mon, 2012-10-29 23:25 — hayneman

So what.
Is there anyone left who believes this man anymore?

Mon, 2012-10-29 21:42 — Benjamin Rae (not verified)

He really wants to be in charge of the world doesn't he. He might have a point though. Would annoy the hell out of the Tories .

Mon, 2012-10-29 21:31 — MartinRDB (not verified)

He must be thinking of the multilingual Nick Clegg

Fri, 2012-11-02 04:31 — Ben Hocking NZ (not verified)

In all seriousness, Nick's the only British Politician I can think of who would have a chance of winning. Not least because he speaks, what 5 European languages.