Comments on: Tony for President? But…but…but he’s British.

By: Posts I’ve enjoyed on this blog « Public Affairs 2.0

Posts I’ve enjoyed on this blog « Public Affairs 2.0 — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:07:21 +0000

[...] Parallels between a Mel Gibson film and the President of the European Council [...]

By: Imet

Imet — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:22:52 +0000

Perhaps a Brit getting a top job may resolve the country’s relationship with Europe. Namely, having one of their fellow countrymen in an important role would see a new focus on EU affairs and finally open the British publics eyes to a little more of just what the EU is about aside from the typical catchphrases of ‘destroying national sovereignty’ and ‘butter mountains’.

By: Not easy to choose the Europe’s first president… « Erkan's Field Diary

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:01:46 +0000

[...] Tony for President? But…but…but he’s British. from Public Affairs 2.0 by fhbrussels [...]

By: Larry

Larry — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:31:43 +0000

If Blair were disqualified merely on the basis of his carrying a British passport, then I agree it would be unfair discrimination. However, the fact that he was the British PM and thus in charge of the UK’s euroskeptic policies for ten years might have some relevance in assessing his candidacy.

By: fhbrussels

fhbrussels — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:08:29 +0000

Evil European, thanks for your comment. I take your point that there are others who are not part of Schengen and/or the Eurozone and following the logic of Bersani’s comment, yes, candidates from these states should also be excluded. It is also true that in terms of the legislative process our MEPs are generally informed and engaged and our civil service admired by many other Member States for its contribution in Council. However, I think the point is more in terms of the British mentality in its relationship with Europe. As a country, rightly or wrongly, we may be perceived as only being part of the club only because we have to instead because of the positive benefits integration brings us as a country. Yes, others pursue their national interests – and can be obstructive in doing so – but they always manage to cloak them in the European interest. For me Bersani’s comments are simply a reflection of what other Europeans are thinking but not saying.

By: Evil European

Evil European — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:57:40 +0000

I’m totally against Blair being EU president but the reason listed is just stupid. UK is a full member of the EU, an active member, and not as awarked as the press would have us belive. Based on the logic outlined above, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, and a host of eastern European member states also can’t have it’s citizens as EU president.