More on that Common Economic Government

That Titan of the world political scene Herman Van Rompuy was wearing his 'quiet assassin of nations' clothes again yesterday when he spoke to MEPs. He was talking about the different roles of national Governments and the European Union is dealing with the financial crisis,

"At European level, we can - and do - adopt common legislation for our common market on the regulation of financial services, on competition policy, on trade, on consumer protection and on other matters."

We can also make use of the EU budget, in particular the structural funds and the research programmes. In all this, the role of the commission is pivotal."He added, "But, key aspects of our economic performance remain essentially a national competence - not least education. If we are to be successful, we need to mobilise all levels of government in a common endeavour."

According to the treaty, "Member states shall regard their economic policies as a matter of common concern and shall coordinate them within the council".

So let's have a quick audit.

Nation States responsibility.
Agreeing to do the same as everybody else.
Education (common endeavour)

EU responsibility
Financial Services,
Competition,
Trade,
Consumer protection,
Other matters (undefined)

Glad to have cleared that up.

No, anything but that

According to reports on EU Observer and in the Telegraph, Sarkozy is preparing to endorse Tony Blair as the first non-rotating President of Europe. Given that the wrangling for this and the position of Foreign Minister (a job we believe Sarko would like to go to Bernard Kouchner currently France's Foreign Minister) will be taking place during the French Presidency in the second half of this year this would be a significant endorsement. As the article puts it,

Former UK prime minister Tony Blair will attend a conference of French president Nicolas Sarkozy's centre-right party UMP on Saturday (12 January), in what is said to be his first intervention for a party other than his own.

The move is fuelling speculation that Mr Blair, who belongs to the UK's center-left Labour party, is in the running for EU president – a new high-profile job that can be held for up to five years starting in 2009.

And it makes me feel all cold inside. The thought of Blair taking the European Union's imperial purple given the way in which he presented the Reform Treaty/Constitution as a fait accompli to Brown as his last significant act as Prime Minister abhorrent.

The man is sly, slick, disingenuous and has contempt for the people. Perfect qualifications for the job, I suppose.
(Picture from Number 10 website)