Comment at end
1st October, 2009
“PRESIDENT BLAIR”? THE SUN v THE TIMES - CONTRAST & COMPARE
"President" Blair? Picture from The Sun, 1st October, 2009
Two articles in today’s papers are in conflict, or so it seems.
First, there’s The Sun with its eye-catching President Blair, ‘within weeks’. This headline and article is characteristically anti-EU, making a (worrying for some) statement rather than encouraging a debate on the ifs, buts & maybes.
All suitable for its simplistically minded readership. At the same time The Sun is notably loathe to blast Tony Blair for president as a BAD idea. They may consider he is preferable to some devil they don’t know.
Then there’s The Times and its headline – “France and Germany unite to push Britain to EU sidelines”.
This article is better researched, as we might expect from The Times, and contains elements of uncertainty over the next EU president. It also highlights some of the complexities as to the way forward for Britain and Europe, including the threat of a new German/French axis. This, if true, could actually strengthen the hand of the new president, who will, presumably, want to move away from this resurgent if historical powerful arrangement.
GETTING BEHIND BLAIR
I conclude from reading both articles that both papers from their different angles, are urging Britain to get behind ‘President’ Tony Blair. They are both part of the Murdoch fold, never forget.
Perhaps they are posing the question between the lines – “what if there were no high-powered British politician in the line-up for the top job? Would Britain fare better … or worse.”
Realpolitik in action?
THE IRISH LISBON TREATY REFERENDUM – TOMORROW
By Saturday we should know how Ireland has voted in their vote on the Lisbon Treaty – yes or no. A broadcast moratorium was set in place at midnight last night, effectively ceasing any further debate on the pros and cons until the end of voting tomorrow night, Friday.
IRELAND – POLAND – CZECH REPUBLIC?
If Ireland votes yes, Poland is expected to follow. But Czech President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic may prove a stumbling block, effectively holding up ratification until after the British general election next summer. This will give more than Mr Blair and Mr Brown further headaches. Mr Cameron too, especially if he is the British Prime Minister by this time next year will have to confront once again the faultline that is Europe within his own party, not to mention the country. Then we will see the truth of his promise to put the Lisbon Treaty to a referendum. Something tells me Mr Cameron, perhaps above all other political leaders in Britain, is hoping for a “yes” vote by Ireland.
MORE FROM THE SUN
According to The Sun, which yesterday moved its support away from Labour back to its historically natural home, the Conservatives, “Mr Blair will be nominated by EU leaders in Brussels if, as expected, Ireland backs the hated Lisbon Treaty in tomorrow’s referendum.”
[Note their use of the word "hated".]
A senior Government source said: “If we get a ‘Yes’ vote it will all move very quickly. Tony could be named by the end of October.”
[Note they do not say which "Government source". We have to assume it is the British government.]
The Sun continues:
‘Former PM Mr Blair would not formally take up the powerful position until all EU countries ratified the Treaty.
Even if Ireland votes “Yes”, Poland and the Czech Republic are still to decide. But Sweden, which currently holds the EU presidency, wants a president named by the end of this month – and Mr Blair is favourite.
Asked if Mr Blair was the only real candidate, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner replied: “For the moment, indeed.”
A senior French diplomat added: “Who will dare say no to Tony Blair?” He played down concerns about Mr Blair’s support for the Iraq War.
The revelations came as Tory leader David Cameron said his party would think again about a referendum on the Treaty if every EU country approves it.
If all don’t, he vowed to hold a national vote on the issue.
He said: “If the Germans ratify, if the Poles ratify, if the Czechs ratify, if the Irish vote ‘Yes’ to the Treaty, then a new set of circumstances (apply), and I will address those at the time.”
So, nothing all that enticing for The Sun in the Tory leader’s “addressing” circumstances vow.
You have to wonder if The Sun was right to turn its back on Labour after 12 years of support. Backing ‘winners’ has been its avowed forte, after all.
If we are about to see our political influence move to a different, higher stage – the centre of Europe – perhaps it is time they read the runes. Rumour is that Rupert Murdoch did NOT make the decision to move away from Labour right now, but his son James. Yeah, right. That rumour may be no more than deliberate misinformation designed to play both sides against the middle.
Murdoch, like Blair, is no political novice.
Much as I may be tempted to start to describe the former PM as ‘President Blair’ I will withhold that self-indulgence, at least for a bit.
Tony Blair for EU President – Video, January 2008
RELATED
Lisbon Treaty (Ireland)
David Cameron’s Lisbon problem
Tags: Czechs, David Cameron, EU President, Ireland votes referendum, James Murdoch, Lisbon treaty, poland, Rupert Murdoch, shoo-in EU presidency, The Sun, The Times, Tony Blair, YouTube video
November 10, 2009 at 3:13 pm |
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November 23, 2009 at 12:55 pm |
Its the Sun tabloid. Articles are only black and white. There is no grey area. Debate is not encouraged. Its not a newspaper, but forms part of the gutter press. Don’t expect anything else from it.
On a positive point, I am very happy that I had the oppertunity to vote for the EU presidency candidates. Sadly, I did not receive my ballot paper in the post. Probably lost.
November 23, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Yes, I know.