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| Blair and Brown 'discuss EU job' | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have been discussing whether the former prime minister should attempt to become the President of the European Council. | Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have been discussing whether the former prime minister should attempt to become the President of the European Council. |
| Mr Blair has so far held back, but some Downing Street figures are urging him to begin a formal campaign for the job. | Mr Blair has so far held back, but some Downing Street figures are urging him to begin a formal campaign for the job. |
| BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell said Mr Brown was "waiting for a nod" from his predecessor before voicing his support. | BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell said Mr Brown was "waiting for a nod" from his predecessor before voicing his support. |
| Ex-Tory foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind said he would be "astonished" if EU leaders chose Mr Blair. | Ex-Tory foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind said he would be "astonished" if EU leaders chose Mr Blair. |
| The role of EU Council president - dubbed by many as "president of Europe" - will come into being next year, if the organisation's 27 member states ratify the Lisbon Treaty, signed by national leaders in December. | The role of EU Council president - dubbed by many as "president of Europe" - will come into being next year, if the organisation's 27 member states ratify the Lisbon Treaty, signed by national leaders in December. |
| 'New ideas' | 'New ideas' |
| The exact nature and status of the role is yet to be decided. | The exact nature and status of the role is yet to be decided. |
| Some countries want a high-profile figure to represent the EU on the world stage, while others propose a more low-key, bureaucratic figure. | Some countries want a high-profile figure to represent the EU on the world stage, while others propose a more low-key, bureaucratic figure. |
| French president Nicolas Sarkozy has openly backed Mr Blair. | French president Nicolas Sarkozy has openly backed Mr Blair. |
| He wants to be leader of Europe, but he was more responsible than anybody for dividing Europe over the Iraq war Sir Malcolm RifkindConservative MP | He wants to be leader of Europe, but he was more responsible than anybody for dividing Europe over the Iraq war Sir Malcolm RifkindConservative MP |
| In a speech last month, seen by many as the launch of a possible EU presidency bid, Mr Blair called for "new ideas" on Europe. | In a speech last month, seen by many as the launch of a possible EU presidency bid, Mr Blair called for "new ideas" on Europe. |
| The BBC's Mardell said Mr Blair was "interested, but cautious" and only wanted the "job on his terms if the president is really going to be a strong presence" globally. | The BBC's Mardell said Mr Blair was "interested, but cautious" and only wanted the "job on his terms if the president is really going to be a strong presence" globally. |
| He added that, if he launched a campaign, Mr Brown would feel compelled to support him. | He added that, if he launched a campaign, Mr Brown would feel compelled to support him. |
| To become president, Mr Blair would need the backing of every EU government, each of which has a veto on selection. | To become president, Mr Blair would need the backing of every EU government, each of which has a veto on selection. |
| The other main figure being mentioned for the job is Luxembourg's prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker. | The other main figure being mentioned for the job is Luxembourg's prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker. |
| German chancellor Angela Merkel is also thought to be a possible candidate, if she loses her country's general election next year. | German chancellor Angela Merkel is also thought to be a possible candidate, if she loses her country's general election next year. |
| Iraq | Iraq |
| Labour MP and former Europe minister Denis MacShane told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think he [Mr Blair] has been one of the biggest national leaders Europe has had in the last generation." | Labour MP and former Europe minister Denis MacShane told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think he [Mr Blair] has been one of the biggest national leaders Europe has had in the last generation." |
| He added: "If he wants the job... from a British point of view it's always good to have a Brit in a top job." | He added: "If he wants the job... from a British point of view it's always good to have a Brit in a top job." |
| And Commons leader Harriet Harman said it was always "good for Britain and good for Europe" when a leading British politician played a leading role in the EU. | |
| An online petition against Mr Blair becoming president, organised by the European Tribune group, has attracted more than 2,900 petitions. | An online petition against Mr Blair becoming president, organised by the European Tribune group, has attracted more than 2,900 petitions. |
| Sir Malcolm, foreign secretary from 1995 to 1997, said: "By his own standards, his [Mr Blair's] whole strategy on Europe failed miserably. | Sir Malcolm, foreign secretary from 1995 to 1997, said: "By his own standards, his [Mr Blair's] whole strategy on Europe failed miserably. |
| "He wants to be leader of Europe, but he was more responsible than anybody for dividing Europe over the Iraq war. | "He wants to be leader of Europe, but he was more responsible than anybody for dividing Europe over the Iraq war. |
| "He failed to get Britain into the single currency, I'm delighted to say, but he didn't even dare have a referendum... | "He failed to get Britain into the single currency, I'm delighted to say, but he didn't even dare have a referendum... |
| "He didn't even ask the British public. He just dropped the idea. I would be astonished if the rest of Europe sees him as their natural spokesman." | "He didn't even ask the British public. He just dropped the idea. I would be astonished if the rest of Europe sees him as their natural spokesman." |
| 'No doubt' | 'No doubt' |
| The leader of France's Socialist Party, Francois Hollande, said: "He has eminent qualities. He has had successes in his own country. | The leader of France's Socialist Party, Francois Hollande, said: "He has eminent qualities. He has had successes in his own country. |
| "But the position he took during the intervention in Iraq means that there is no doubt in my view that he cannot be the one to be the coming president of Europe." | "But the position he took during the intervention in Iraq means that there is no doubt in my view that he cannot be the one to be the coming president of Europe." |
| Under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, a politician would be chosen to be president of the European Council for two-and-a-half years, replacing the current system where countries take turns at being president for six months. | Under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, a politician would be chosen to be president of the European Council for two-and-a-half years, replacing the current system where countries take turns at being president for six months. |
| Mr Blair stood down as prime minister last June after more than 10 years in power. | Mr Blair stood down as prime minister last June after more than 10 years in power. |
| He is currently working as a peace envoy to the Middle East and has taken up advisory roles with insurance firm Zurich and investment bank JP Morgan. | He is currently working as a peace envoy to the Middle East and has taken up advisory roles with insurance firm Zurich and investment bank JP Morgan. |