Now it's personal: David Cameron attacks 'actor' Tony Blair over presidency of EU

Published on Tuesday 27 October 2009 21:30

CONSERVATIVE leader David Cameron has unleashed a personal attack on Tony Blair, as Labour politicians step up their lobbying for the former prime minister to become the European Union's first president.

At his monthly press conference, Mr Cameron made clear he had spoken to other European leaders and warned them not to back Mr Blair.

Mr Cameron said the Tories would have to work with whoever they "inherit", but added he would prefer the role to go to someone who would act as a chairman "rather than some all-singing, all-dancing, all-acting president".

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Mr Cameron said the Tories did not support the EU adopting more emblems of statehood, adding: "We don't support Tony Blair in that role even if there is a president."

The Tory leader faced repeated questioning on whether he would hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. The Czech Republic is the only EU nation yet to ratify the treaty. A decision by its constitutional court on whether the treaty is legal is due next Tuesday and Mr Cameron has insisted he will keep quiet until then.

Meanwhile, Tory elder statesman and former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine warned Mr Cameron could have to climb down on his Euroscepticism once he won power.

He predicted that, after the general election, Mr Cameron would have to order his MEPs to rejoin the European People's Party (EPP), a more moderate alliance than their current coalition partners in Brussels.

Such a move would enrage party activists, however, and many who agreed to campaign for Mr Cameron to become leader on condition he withdrew from the EPP.

Mr Cameron's warning about Mr Blair as EU president drew one unlikely ally. Former Labour defence minister Peter Kilfoyle said Mr Blair would be "wholly unsuitable" for the role, given his record on international affairs.

In a Commons motion, Mr Kilfoyle, who resigned as a minister over the Iraq war, said there had to be a "full public debate" on the issue. He said: "On his record in international affairs, Tony Blair is wholly unsuitable to be president of the European Union."

Luxembourg's premier also spoke out against Mr Blair. "I can't really identify any area in which Britain has shown real European inspiration over the past ten years, apart from a few advances on defence," said Jean-Claude Juncker, who covets the president's job himself.

Downing Street said two "gating" issues stood between Mr Blair and the EU presidency: whether the Lisbon Treaty, which will create the post, was ultimately ratified, and whether Mr Blair wanted the job.

EU leaders will meet in Brussels tomorrow and Friday but will discuss the subject of a president only in fringe talks.

If the treaty is ratified, a special summit is likely to be held next month to agree on the president and a foreign policy chief.