Has Iraq sunk Blair's presidency hopes?
The presidency of Europe is slipping rapidly from Tony Blair’s hands.
My sources in Brussels and elsewhere report a rapid sea change in the former prime minister’s fortunes as ratification of the Lisbon treaty creeps closer (the Czech president could reluctantly sign it within a week).
Those sources tell me that Blair’s candidacy has been hit heavily by the opening of the Iraq inquiry.
European leaders are now horrified at the thought that the EU’s first president could find himself almost immediately under very heavy public scrutiny at a formal inquiry into the Iraq war.
The “blood on your hands” incident at the St Paul’s cathedral memorial service last week added to the misgivings. The idea that assorted families might continue to accuse Europe’s president of having blood on his hands does not appeal to those who have to make the decision as to who should become the European Union’s figurehead.
But the message has also been heard loud and clear in the European Council that for Mr Blair to become president will have no positive effect on Britain’s attitude to the union. Indeed, diplomats are warning them that the effect might even be dramatically negative.
Coupled with the belief that a Conservative government may take power in Britain next year, the thought of a Tory euro sceptic prime minister at loggerheads with an erstwhile Labour prime minister does not attract.
I am told that Mr Blair’s candidacy, which once looked a shoe-in at 90-10, has slipped this month to well under 50 “and still on the slide”.
At the same time, there is increasing talk that the best candidate for the other job on offer, that of high representative for foreign affairs – a potentially more important job than the presidency itself – could be offered to Britain’s foreign secretary, David Miliband, whose ratings in Europe have been in the ascendancy for the past six months.
Mr Blair, on the other hand, does have one fervent supporter: the man whose house guest he was on several occasions during his premiership, Silvio Berlusconi. And with friends like Berlusconi…
In fairness to Mr Blair, as far as he is concerned he has never been a candidate. The understanding he has left with the European Council is that if they want him, they must ask him – and he will probably accept.
My information is that he is increasingly unlikely to be asked.
Related posts:
- Who’ll be the judge of Brown’s Iraq war inquiry?
- As the US pulls out, what did the Iraq war achieve?
- Is Berlusconi thwarting free press?
- From Guernica to Iraq
- Tony Blair's expenses un-shredded!
There are 107 comments on this post
Tony Blair and his candidacy to be European President…do me a favour!!!
A Middle East Peace envoy who has done absolutely nothing for the Middle East Peace process cannot be elected European President or anything else for that matter. Blair does have innocent blood on his hands and a lot of it. He took us into a war that was not necessary and has subsequently brought our country to its knees. The wars are still going on whilst I write and you read.
Berlusconi must be tried in the European Courts for human rights in the Hague if and when charges are brought against him because he’ll get away with murder in his own country. Bush, Rumsfeld and Blair to name a few, should also be tried and charged with crimes against humanity.
adzmundo CND
Joh,
this is great news. I didn’t vote “yes” in the Lisbon referendum recently to have Blair as “President” of the EU comission.
We an but hope. Blair as president of Europe is just unthinkable. His next date in Europe should be in the Hague
Excellent news you report Jon. The very idea of a President Blair has been most worrying and when he does give “evidence” to the Iraq inquiry I sincerley hope there will be a major display of the anger many in the country feel about the unjust war this man took us into.
Whilst we await confirmation as to whether the inquiry’s remit will include a ruling on the legality of the Iraq War, Blair remains charged by the British public as a war criminal. Any true statesman wouldn’t even accept nomination for the Presidency, until his name had been cleared.
Tony Blair might have a greater chance had he something positive to show for his time as a UN Middles East envoy. But, here he has been revealed to be boxing above his weight…the same as was revealed in his slavish backing of George Bush on Iraq.
How can such an envoy or EU President criticize the Israelis over Gaza when the US-UK Iraq involvement makes Gaza seem like small beer when you consider casualties in the 100s of thousands.
Is that wishful thinking from Mr Snow?
Although my own government says it would support him, I don’t think Blair will or should become European Council President. Time for a woman perhaps? Mary Robinson should be a candidate.
Tony Blair did little or nothing to encourage European solidarity. He is an American puppet and a war criminal who should be brought to justice. Ken Clarke would make a much better president.
Dear Jon,
I am rather relieved to hear that you think Mr Blair is more and more unlikely to be “asked” to become president of the EU. You have mentioned several reasons on your blog, but what about public opinion in the UK and the rest of Europe? I think there too it is becoming more and more apparent that the public does not want Mr Blair! The Independent on Sunday had a very good article on this plus a weblink where you can vote…
Hallelujah …
The Daniels have to judgement!!!!
I always said that timing of TB’s conversion to Catholicism was no more than a cynical act to please the Catholic countries of Europe … gave Berlusconi the excuse to support him.
But now of course his Berlusconi freebies and Iraq have done for him.
Ekim
Best and most cheering piece of news today. I cannot imagine why anyone would support the idea of Tony Blair for European President. The very fact that he’s a good buddy of the dreadful Mr Berlusconi should disqualify him immediately.
Tony Blair has managed to bring this country and its international reputation to the brink of ruin and he has increased his propects no end. The man is now a multi millionare after dinner speaker with an impressive property portfolio who has stopped at nothing to use his position to feather his nest and enhance his wife’s career – he represents everything that Labour has hated about Conservatism for years. His yearning to make history, to be read about by children in the future, as longest serving Prime Minister, taking the credit from John Major as the man who brought peace to Northern Ireland, war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now a middle east peace envoy – smacks of narcissism. Not a bad CV by current political standards.
Let me congratulate the EU commissioners on the one decision that will warm them to the Great British Public. A snub to our wonderful Tony.
Blair would be a disaster as EU President, he has no public support whatsoever, his appointment would simply reinforce the common UK view of the EU as fundamentally undemocratic. In any case, Blair should,in the view of many, be in the Hague, facing trial for his many war crimes, rather than being elevated to the Presidency in Brussels. Not really the person you want in charge.
It astonishes me that Blair, who was hustled out of the prime ministerial post, and left under a cloud, could ever have been considered a suitable candidate. for premiership of Europe.That he will land, as he always does, on his feet, does not surprise me. He has the elasticity of the true crook, and has spent his political lifetime cultivating friends who will shield and support him, so that their own nefarious activities remain concealed.
Blair not now the front-runner for the presidency? That’s made my day! What a blow for him, following-on from the disappointment he must have felt at newcomer Obama being the one to snatch the Nobel peace prize. Terrific!
It’s very sad to me that Tony Blair has turned out to be so selfish and disappointing after such a start. When Labour was elected I was euphoric. Now Labour supporters feel uncomfortable. We who wish for a society in Britain where everyone is equal and seen to be treated as such, have to keep making excuses for politicians we thought were on our wavelength. I have to blame this on the Blair administration who blatantly sought self enhancement losing sight of the reasons we voted them into office.They might as well have been Tories. Now Blair is trying to portray himself as a religious figure whom europeans can’t help but trust. Actually he’s coming accross as a fanatic; desperate for world-wide accolades.
Poor Gordon has had to pick up the pieces after St Tony moved on, just in time, after the dishonourable Iraq fracas. He isn’t responsible for the economic turndown and he has done wonders to keep the UK on as even a keel as posiible.Because he hasn’t the charisma Tony had, I fear that the general public will vote in the ghastly, greedy toffs of the Conservative Party…..because they haven’t bothered to find out and understand what Gordon Brown is desperately trying to do.
Good piece John and let’s hope things continue to slide for Tony Blair on his chances of becoming the new president. Who is it who is going to decide this position?? Surely the people if Europe should be voting such a high profile position and not a handfull of Bureaucrats. This whole Europe thing stinks…..the people of the UK do not want to be in it. What has hapened to Democracy??
Oh Colin Colin Colin
When did we ever have democracy in the UK ?
When did anyone ever have democracy – can anyone name one country on the planet that is democratic – using the greek term or just Lincolns words at Gettysburg ” goverment of the people – by the people – FOR the people ” . For the people – - that is a joke a sick joke – - governments look after the rich first – take from the poor or midle class – and give even more to the very rich -.
I hope he never gets the chance[BLAIR] to take up the president he is disliked in the uk and would i am sure been got rid of at least two years before he was basically kicked out by his own party if we the people have had a say.
Tony Blair for President of Europe, Is this some sort of sick joke? The “man” has problems even lying straight in bed at night.
Good. I hope he finally understands just how much he is despised.
How on earth the EU could possibly consider Milipede for the position of High Rep for Foreign Affairs is beyond me. He has hardly shone as the UK’s Foreign Secretary. They must be desperate.
Jon – heartening news from you about Mr
Blair’s ambition to become first President of Europe. He does not deserve this post. I shall never forgive him for the lies he told about Iraq.
The passage of time and the ebb and flow of power within the public perception…
The focus and elements of power have shifted and eluded prediction.
As time passes, Blair’s influence has waned with the advancing years of his past and present political contemporaries …but
his property portfolio has grown….where is his focus now ??
It’s good news week Jon! Blair may be indisposed and unavailable for the EU Presidency. David Miliband has the advantage in that he only eats EU regulation-shaped bananas – it’s where he throws the skins that those walking next to him need to be careful about. Perhaps he has tossed a few in Tony Blair’s direction!
There will be no justice if Tony BLiar becomes the president of the EU. He should be indicted for war crime instead.
Oh I really do hope your theory turns out to be true.
Tony Blair as President of Europe really doesn’t bear thinking about. What a nightmare…
Can’t we shuffle him off to somewhere where he can do no harm, a bit like the UK Government did with Edward VIII during the war, by making him Governor of the Bahamas…
Yeah, put him in Guantanamo with George Bush.
Excellent answer, Anthony!
Yes, Guantanamo Bay is where he and Bush (and, why not… Berlusconi too) should be sent!! For at least 30 years!!
Many, including myself regard Mr Blair as being guilty of war crimes and should be brought before the international criminal court. Sadly, this is unlikely to happen in anybody’s lifetime. The question of war crimes has been the ‘elephant’ in the room since the inability to obtain a second resolution in the UN and since first Iraq inquiry, who’s restricted terms of reference inevitably led to what most critical observers believe to be a whitewash.
The ‘blood on your hands’ incident at St. Pauls aimed directly at Mr Blair speaks of the deep personal suffering that has been a caused by the terror inflicted by war.
Had Mr Blair been nominated and approved through the mechanism set out in the yet to be ratified Lisbon treaty, which fundamentally falls short of the basic standards of a democratic process, then he would have become the first unelected President of Europe.
It would appear that if your ‘sources’ are correct, then sanity and conscience may be finally breaking out after years of denial, and after many thousands of tragic and avoidable deaths in Iraq and within the families of personnel who took part in the conflict.
Interesting article marred by two errors: a shoe-in? Surely a shoo-in.
And “in the ascendancy”: “in the ascendant” would be better.
It’s reasonable and just that the European Commission won’t consider Tony Blair for Presidency. The world has yet to learn the truth about the Iraq war and the part Blair played in taking the UK into this war. Certianly the Nation was against it and he did ignore it. Furthermore, he failed in his mission in the Middle East peace negotiations. Granted he’s a good talker but Europe needs some one who’s trustworthy.
I sincerely hope that some day, Tony Blair will stand before the court in the Hague for war crimes. a so-called socialist who took us into, was it 5 wars, because God was sitting on his shoulder telling he was right.
What a twist of fate that we would get the idiot Bush and Blair in power at the same time to reinforce each others beliefs.
Jon,Re my last post, I should have added that you and Krish are, in mho the best news program on the TV. Thank you, Channel 4.
Phew! that’s a relief.
And thanks Channel 4 News for honouring Sir Ludovic Kennedy’s memory and legacy. I well remember you were the only programme to mourn the incomparable Paul Foot’s untimely death.
Fine , that strategy woud be just as workable for the UK and put GB in a stronger position.
Tony’s friendship and links wouldn’t be a disadvantage . David Milliband would add to that strength.
As we all know the figurehead is always under too much scrutiny anyway,
Domestic policies are belittled under a general desire for our country to succeed and at the moment no party can afford to do what is not collectively for the best.
Intelligence would not allow their moles to ruin our position.
This is good news. I would not feel happy with Blair as President when I belive he lied to us about Iraq. We need politicians we can trust at home as well as in Europe.
I DO hope so, what a ghastly thought that he and Berlusconi could be swanning round Europe bestowing favours on their chosen ones, all paid for by us
Europe deserves a leader most Europeans can trust and respect, not a leader who mislead his own Parliament.
Could there be a conspiricy here, and just as the protesters breathe a sigh of relief and give up trying to stop him, bingo, he’ll get in after all.
I for one shall be happy if he fails to become european president, he has after all done sweet FA as the middle east peace envoy and does in fact act as an advisor to Mubadala, a soverign wealth fund which invests Abu Dhabi’s oil profits – big conflict of interest there i think. He’s so money grabbing he would somehow turn being european president into another portfolio of money!
Not correct. A word comes to mind when it comes to Tony, and its “USURP” When the time comes, no one will stop our dear Tony. He will play them and take power and he will…… Remember that word, usurp.
The ‘Gentlemens Club’ obviously resides in the EU too. To even contemplate Tony Blair, the former PM that started a war on the pretext of a lie that has resulted in over 1 million deads in Iraq, absolutely beggars belief. Are these people on the same planet?
I wonder what his renumeration and yearly bonuses would have been?
Thanks Jon, that has really cheered me up this morning – I’m furious that TB has a job at all, and is not in prison!
I do hope you are right about Tony Blair, and wrong about David Milliband !!
Thankyou.
S.M.Lane.
What a relief! Having always regarded UKIP with a mixture of amusement and contempt I had begun to think that I would have to support them at the election. I’m a moderate, sceptical pro-European, horrified by the notion that a war criminal who has lied to cabinet, parliament and the UN Security Council could be bundled into the role of Europresident by an utterly un-democratic process. We should have had a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, the only way of stimulating a debate on our position in Europe. You couldn’t invent it: two jokers (in both senses, clown and maverick card) Blair and Berlusconi, representing Europe in the world….UKIP would sweep the board!
The thought of Blair becoming President of something that isn’t even a State fills me with horror! Ten years of him was more than enough for me.
I only hope this is true. Gordon Brown might be under fire on all fronts – for good reasons – but Blair looks even more shaky and discredited as time moves on. This is the PM who conducted at least 2 illegal wars (Kosovo and Iraq), made the international system more not less secure, ands conducted international diplomacy in a clearly hypcritical and chaotic manner. His ‘commitment’ to human rights and international cooperation always stood far behind his messianic belief in his own righteousness and unswerving support for George Bush – although even Blair had the limited self awareness to be slightly embarassed by his closeness to Bush at the end. He consistently displays an unwillingness to listen to opposing viewpoints, an inability to appreciate complex arguments and a blunderbuss approach to international relations. A more inappropriate President of Europe it would be hard to think of – unless Europe wants a post-modern snakeoil salesman blowing hot air in place of credible statesmanship.
I’m struggling between vomiting at the disgusting spectacle of Blair becoming EU president, or welcoming it; because his presidency would provide a wonderful platform for the bereaved families of servicemen and women killed in Iraq (and for the forgotten Iraq civilians who lost so much). These families could literally haunt him throughout his entire presidency and thus perpetuate and even strengthen the seeking of truth about what Blair and his Cabinet actually did in the run up to the immoral and probably illegal invasion of Iraq.
I have presumed that the whole Blair-for-president thing is got up by twice-disgraced-and-unelected-Labour-Cabinet-member Lord Mandleson. My assumption is that be a cunning creature he knows that the Labour Government is doomed, but that through a Blair EU presidency he would gain himself some further extension of his own privileged ermine and expenses public life.
What a travesty it would be to have such an insensitive, glory seeking, criminal, corrupt individual as TB as President or any high position, he bled the UK enough without now taking full advantage of bleeding Europe dry. When will he have to pay his expences back!!!! or be tried for destroying his expence demands. His recent past has been laughable or pathetic especially as envoy to the ME where he found it preferable to holiday in the Carribean or wherever, rather than help during the most recent Gaza crisis. Please Jon let your info be correct for all our sakes.
Delighted to hear this is becoming less likely. To reward him with any high office after his behaviour as UK prime minister would be a bit like giving the bankers bonuses. On every front he proved to be naive and incompetent, and not least in thie middle east peace envoy job he currently holds. I shall always remember the nigt that Israel were bombing the hell out of Gaza City, Blair was in Washington, receiving a gong for his contribution to world peace from his old buddie Bush. I think that total lack of sensitivity just about sums up Mr Blair. Please let us not allow him to further his personal ego trip by giving him this Europen Presidency.
I remember the days when I was putting my own views forward and I was being rubbished and opressed as others were determined to get Tony Blair in .
So fickle…. Never willing to take responsibility. Who would have been the first to complain if terrorism had swept Europe. Do you think that TB did not have his legal advisors.?
If you needed to make your own business grow and you had the opportunity would you say no?
Why can’t the public be a little perspicacious and think about our Country’s defence. We are NOTHING without HOME.
When others are born on British soil from IRAQ and IRAN they too become British and need to be protected .
If I could only impart collective reasoning and not hot headedness I would die a happier person when my time comes.
Europe does not want Blair- “Tony Blair’s actions while in office should be under severe scrutiny as part of a criminal investigation, and yet whitewashes and silence prevail. He is apparently beyond the law, making decisions which benefit himself at the cost of thousands of lives. The idea that he should be considered as president of the EU is abhorrent, and his nomination should be rejected.” Between 6 & 10 million demonstrated against his actions in 2003. He now uses his warrior contacts to line his ever growing pockets & drinks gold sprinkled cappuccinos. Signatories to the Stop Blair Petition now approaching 40,000 http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stopblair/signatures.html.How we can even contemplate putting at the head of Europe a man whose inappropriate & disproportionate response to 9/11 unleashed a sequence of disaster & death, beggars belief. The next job will be to have him formally indicted for War Crimes. I am writing to all the EU Commissioners & Heads of State
Please all of you that think it is NOT right for Tony Blair to become EU president. Please sign the petition. Already almost 40,000 signatures.
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stopblair/sign.html
and send it to as many European friends that you have. On the main petition website it comes in most EU languages.
http://www.stopblair.eu
“Tony Blair is risking his own legacy because he is “increasingly obsessed with his place in history”, ”
I trust that the words of Clare Short are ringing in Blair’s ears…
ask yourself why mandelson and osbourne were on rothschilds boat in corfu last summer?
duggan shamens stargazers of the celtic tribe!
Personally I think he would be an excellent EU president. He is perfect for the job. I don’t understand why people are rooting against Britain.
Now a few words about the EU presidency. I feel, whomever becomes president, in the long term will be drinking from a poisoned cup.
The EU only becomes more undemocratic with the passage if time and having an unelected leader is hardly what most member states, especially those of eastern Europe, had in mind after the demise of the Soviet Union..
It seems the EU has evolved into sort of a benevolent dictatorship, with rich nations such as Germany and France and poorer, smaller ones such as Ireland and Portugal the main beneficiaries.
How long such an almost Orwellian template lasts is up for speculation. But, I wouldn’t count on there being too many EU presidents if the economy worsens and regulations become to unworkable.
Oh dear no thoughts today. I am having to watch the Constitutional Reform Bill being debated, sort out personal problems I have with professionals who cannot correspond truth , words , with the correct person and who said it at a particular time….. frustration plus.
I could shout at Jack straw or David Howarth on the screen , but the truth is they seem to be more reasonable than most , SO MUCH FOR LOCALISATION.
Margaret:BBC Parliament can do that to you. I’ve learned it’s best to stick to Columbo.
[...] it seems that Jon Snow at Channel 4 is thinking the same way: At the same time, there is increasing talk that the best candidate for the [...]
This is off-topic so it won’t be ‘printed’.
Jon….you shattered my faith in you today. You deliberately shouted down Mr.Griffin and correctly anticipated and interrupted an answer you didn’t want your viewers to hear. Shame on you, Jon! Then, on More4 news, your colleague stated that Mr.Griffin would probably agree with ‘using poisonous gases against its enemies’. How scurrilous is that? So, this evening, Jon, my opinion of you was turned upside down.
tony blair and mi6 behind 7/7 watch ripple effect on google video see what you think?
The very idea that Blair could ever be considered for President of EU is bad enough – his record as UK Prime Minister – his role as US lapdog – his part in the Iraq war – and his abysmal performance as Middle East Envoy – how can this man be considered for anything – except to get him on trial for war crimes asap..
Blair’s too good for Brussels. Europe’s a corrrupt, smarmy, duplicitous thing. He wouldn’t fit in.
mi6 cia mossat and intelligent services wherever britain has gone have alot to answer for !!!
the bank of englandisaprivate bank wake up!
I repeat, Jon: Your ‘interview’ with Mr.Griffin the other evening was most unbecoming…very non-Snow. Let the man speak! He speaks for at least a million British citizens.
well well well. hardly anyone wants tony for president.The man the enlightened British public voted for again again and again , to ruin this country with his disastrous chancellor.How the worms have turned.He was clearly a liar from the first and on the make.I wonder why it has taken the public so long to wake up
[...] Jon Snow|Posted: 11:41 am on 21/10/09 Category: Snowblog Wow…that lit the blue touch paper! Or was it red..what on earth has Tony Blair done to ignite such bile? The party he led was [...]
bye bye corporations welcome to the new age
channel 4 why dont you show ripple effect i am sure you will have good viewing figures
obama has you know is good has well. anyone would be better than dopey bush and is zionist neo con evil turds
israe should be given back to the arabs and the real jewsl
no more privatisation!
anti capitalist anti communist in the centre where everyone should be!
women men including kids and animals e qual rights. goodpeople at gchq ok. one law you can say and do what you like as long as it doesnt hurt anyone or animal.corporate law and maritime law finished natural law how it was in the beginning restarts awoman amen.
also the data protection act is finished personal information is personal imformation no more databases no more central banks no more 666
Spot on! – see TADAG.com for the citizen-centric model
bnp allowed on bbc ripple effect on channel 4
will the doughnuts be guarding the queen of avarice when she opens the doughnut in cheltenham where all the staff and people of cheltenham and afar will be laughing at the defender of the realm a postion she has no right to hold
Tony Blair… (or is it Bliar?) should be prosecuted for war crimes! How can ANYONE even contemplate this man as president of the EU?? A (bad) joke if ever there was one!
He took this Country to war on false pretenses, just because he was Bushes poodle and, like any good dog, had to obey his master!
He is personally responsible for the death of our good soldiers, who joined the army to fight for their Country, to protect their Country from enemies, and not to go and die for this awful Prime Minister’s vanity and misjudged values and personal thirst for power for its own sake!
I hope the day will come when he will be made to account for his terrible deeds!
mi5,6 cia, mossad etc need to come out of the shadows and face the music there reign is over. the good need to reveal the bad
w.h.o also have a lot to answer
man doesnt control the weather the sun does
humans take themselves to seriously when life should be fun. it will be when those greedy bastards stop taking oil out of the ground and stealing all the wealth and thinking that they own the creators lands
i see the americans are still up to no good in iraq
when central banks go there will be money for africa etc so its up to you channel 4 or gordon brown to reveal the bank of englands evil role in making this world turn into a hellhole instead of paradise
al qaeda is the database that the cia used to pay the mujadeen to fight the russians
the hopi indians and all shamens had the same beliefs even though they may say it slighty different
the normans gave the irish surnames to tax them duggan means dark or black people in gaelic the shamens stargazers of the celtic tribe. dublin means blackpool in gaelic du means black gan means people
lover (philo)of wisdom (sophia) philsophy simple gnostic knowledge easy
going to the moon from the kennedy centre to get some wensleydale how ironic
and as on this earth plane i am a natural person the debts from banks credit cards energy phone yellow pages etc mean nothing
[...] any case, as I blogged here last week, Blair is NOT a [...]
ask cameroon if you interview him if he likes eating trifles?
better luck at 7 what went wrong with the sound
CAN THE BRITISH MEDIA PLEASE START REPORTING ON IRAQ AGAIN?
I have not seen any new about Iraq since the heavy press coverage on swine flu and then Afghanistan began earlier in the year. You almost get the feeling international news agencies have been told not to investigate/report while troops are drawing out. I would expect the British media to give us unbiased reporting on Iraq, even when it looks like nothing newsworthy is happening.
MPS MORE IN EXPENSIVES THAN THE UNEMPLOYED AND CAMERON WANTS TO BE PRIME MINISTER WITH A POSSIBLE ÂŁ30 MILLION AND THEY WONDER WHY PEOPLE ARE ANGRY
AND WHAT A CHEEK EXPECTING THE UNEMPLOYED TO RING 0845 NUMBERS
WHY ARE HEDGE FUNDS KEEPING OIL ARTIFICIALLY HIGH
[...] Brown, side by side with David Miliband, did just that this afternoon, a joint launch of the Blair candidacy at a press conference in [...]
[...] and David Miliband were forced to brake cover yesterday and, risking further domestic controversy, make a very public case for Mr Blair taking over the new lead role in [...]
if you hate blair can you sign my petition at http://www.gopetition.com/online/31785.html