"Blair not fit for the job"- Watson (Bridgwater and West Somerset Liberal Democrats)

Bridgwater and West Somerset Liberal Democrats <info@bawslibdems.org.uk>

"Blair not fit for the job"- Watson

October 29, 2009 12:00 AM
Originally published by Sir Graham Watson MEP

Graham Watson MEP Over recent months, I have been contacted by many constituents who are dismayed at the prospect of Tony Blair becoming President of the European Council.

I would like to make clear that I share their bewilderment, and categorically state that I do not support the candidacy of Tony Blair.

Serious questions remain regarding his collusion with the Bush administration over extraordinary rendition and torture. It seems incredible that the man responsible for the illegal invasion of Iraq, the UK's worst foreign policy mistake since Suez, should be given this responsibility.

If we are to prosper and tackle the big issues of the day, we need a figure who will command the attention of the likes of China, Russia and the USA and help answer Henry Kissinger's now infamous question "Who do I call if I want to call Europe?".

But we also need someone who inspires the confidence of member states and the public.

That is why I believe a more consensual candidate, perhaps from a smaller member state, would be far better. I believe that Anders Fogh-Rasmussen, the current NATO Secretary General, former Prime Minister of Denmark and a Lib Dem, represents a much more suitable candidate.

However, I would also take this opportunity to emphasise that this is not a "Presidency of the European Union", as seems to have been tacitly accepted by the media.

Whoever becomes the President of the European Council will be simply that; the President of one of the three co-equal branches of the EU. The person will represent the 27 nations of the EU and chair their meetings.

This 2½ year post created by the Treaty of Lisbon will basically add a bit of permanence to a role currently rotated every 6 months between the member states. We need not fear a new all-powerful EU figure!

Unfortunately though, unlike the Commission President or the Parliament President, this position is not subject to the approval of Parliament, so I will not have a say in the process; it is up to national governments to decide.

And as Gordon Brown has fallen back to his familiar position of ignoring public opinion, it seems we must now rely on our European partners to save us from the clutches of President Blair!