BROWN BURIES BLAIR, AS DO THE EU SOCIALIST GROUP

By Marjorie Smith

Gordon Brown's snub to other Socialist leaders in the EU is the final nail in Tony Blair's coffin. Gordon turned up at the traditional dinner with other Socialist party leaders from across the EU. However, he gave a short presentation and then left immediately. Thus, in reality, depriving Blair of the only voice of support he could expect in the discussion.

Gordon also, curiously, shunned the family photo of the gathering of the Party of European Socialist leaders.

Not only did he not enthusiastically press the flesh for Blair but by snubbing other leaders he ensured that there would be a PES backlash against Blair. Going off to a press conferecne rather than staying for a dinner with his fellow leaders said it all in their eyes. It was therefore seen by other Socialist leaders that Brown blatantly does not want Blair to get the job, in that if he couldn't even be bothered to lobby vigorously for Blair amongst his own political allies in the EU. The only conclusion they could reach is that Blair is seen as being defenstrated by Brown.

EU socialist leaders said Thursday they were therefore aiming to secure the post of foreign policy high representative, also implicitly opposing the appointment of Tony Blair as President. "We socialists aspire to the post of high representative," said Spanish Prime Minister Jose Louis Rodriguez Zapatero at a pre-summit meeting of European socialist leaders in Brussels. Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, head of the Party of European Socialists, said Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Zapatero were asked to negotiate a deal with their conservative counterparts over the coming weeks. European socialists have frequently referred to Blair's involvement in the Iraq war when explaining their opposition to the British politician.

One other major point for consideration is that the post of 'Foreign Minister of the EU' is a potentially much more influental position than a titular President with an undefined role. Hence the PES have their eyes on the real prize and not on what could he booby prize.

Even more damming for Blair was comments made by other members of the Socialist group. "We have a common position concerning Mr Blair: we don't consider him a member of the socialist family," said Ramon Jauregui, a socialist MEP from Spain. Brown later retorted that people should look "forwards, not backwards." But he also acknowledged that Blair would have to fend off rival bids. The president is elected by qualified majority for a term of two and a half years, renewable once.

Blair is seen by many in the EU (and especially amongst the Socialist group) as a charasmatic leader but one who is in reality a Christian Democrat and not a Socialist.