This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8328979.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
No 10 to lobby for Blair EU job Brown gives Blair EU job backing
(about 23 hours later)
Gordon Brown is to actively lobby for his predecessor Tony Blair to be named the first president of the European Council, No 10 sources have said. Gordon Brown has said he would be "very happy" to support a bid by his predecessor Tony Blair to be the first president of the European Council.
Downing Street has previously denied reports it was canvassing for the ex-prime minister to get the job, to be created under the new Lisbon Treaty. But the prime minister told MPs the post did not yet exist as the Lisbon Treaty creating it had not become law.
But the BBC now understands Mr Brown will put the case to other EU leaders in Brussels later this week. The BBC understands Mr Brown will put Mr Blair's case to other EU leaders in Brussels later this week after previously denying it would do so.
The Tories and Lib Dems are adamant Mr Blair should not get the job. But Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker has also declared himself a candidate.
Earlier, Conservative leader David Cameron, who opposes the treaty and the new post, said: "We don't support Tony Blair in that role even if there is a president." Italian Prime Minister Silivio Berlusconi is Mr Blair's most vocal backer among EU leaders.
'Must find consensus'
But his foreign minister Franco Frattini, who had previously indicated backing for a Blair presidency, said that "the entry into the fray of Mr Juncker and why not (Dutch Prime Minister Jan-Peter) Balkenende changes the picture."
He added: "We cannot imagine a divided Europe. We must find a consensus."
Mr Brown was quizzed about the proposed new post at prime minister's question time in the Commons.
He told MPs: "If this position is to be created - and the EU treaty is not yet through - and the former prime minister Tony Blair comes forward as a candidate, we will be very happy to support him."
We want to bring European countries closer together, and I think if someone is from a smaller country these people are more sensitive Joerg van Essen, German coalition member German party cool on Blair for EU Blair and the EU presidency
On Tuesday, Conservative leader David Cameron, who opposes the treaty and the new post, said: "We don't support Tony Blair in that role even if there is a president."
Meanwhile, it is understood that Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg will on Wednesday publicly declare his opposition to Mr Blair's predicted candidacy.Meanwhile, it is understood that Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg will on Wednesday publicly declare his opposition to Mr Blair's predicted candidacy.
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said Mr Clegg supports the European project but does not feel Mr Blair is the right man for the job. Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party, which wants the UK to leave the European Union, said he backed Mr Blair's bid: "If Mr Blair does become Mr President then nothing better will bring home to the British people the truth about the EU, that it is not, in fact, run by democratically-elected representatives or those who we can elect and remove."
'Too far' Mr Blair has refused to state publicly that he is in the running for the proposed post of president of the European Council although there have been widespread reports that people have been lobbying on his behalf behind the scenes.
There is pressure on Mr Blair to confirm he is in the running for the newly created post of president of the European Council, amid opposition to his candidacy among some smaller European states. He is now under pressure to come out and declare that he does want the job amid opposition to his candidacy among some smaller European states.
Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are reportedly among smaller countries that believe the president should come from a country that uses the euro and is part of the border-free Schengen Agreement. Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are reportedly among those that believe the president should come from a country that uses the euro and is part of the border-free Schengen Agreement.
Mr Blair has not declared his candidacy for the new EU post There are reports French President Nicolas Sarkozy is cooling on the idea of a Blair presidency and it is not known whom German Chancellor Angela Merkel would support.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has backed Mr Blair, but there are reports French President Nicolas Sarkozy is cooling on the idea and it is not known who German Chancellor Angela Merkel would support. But Ms Merkel's new coalition partners - the Free Democrats, who control the country's foreign ministry - have expressed doubts about Mr Blair.
At a press conference Mr Cameron was asked if he had spoken to European leaders about his opposition to Mr Blair's candidacy, Mr Cameron said shadow foreign secretary William Hague had made the party's position "very clear". The party's chief whip, Joerg van Essen, told the BBC: "We have known Tony Blair for a very long time but I must admit there is a sympathy in my party for candidates from a smaller country."
He said the new role would take Europe "too far in creating the emblems of statehood rather than being about co-operation and co-ordination".
But he said if there was to be a president he would prefer it to be a more "chairmanic" role "rather than some all-singing, all-dancing, all-acting president and I think I can see what sort of president Tony Blair would be".
Mr Hague reportedly told Berlin and Paris that the Tories would take Mr Blair's appointment as a "hostile act" against a future Conservative government - which Mr Cameron did not deny.
Green Party leader and MEP Caroline Lucas said the idea that Mr Blair should take on the role was "absurd".
The reports of Mr Brown's backing comes after British ministers have been talking up the former PM's credentials, ahead of the summit.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "It's not a time for shy retiring violets... Europe needs a strong, persuasive, articulate advocate."
But former foreign secretary Lord Owen criticised Mr Blair's handling of the Iraq war: "I believe that disqualification from high office follows if you do not tell the truth to the House of Commons on a very serious question like going to war.