Cameron: Blair EU job would be 'hostile'

Tue Oct 27 2009 12:25:34

Conservative Party leader David Cameron has admitted he would not be in favour of former prime minister Tony Blair becoming Europe's first president.

Speaking at his monthly press conference, Mr Cameron said: "I think it's important people know where we stand both on the role of president and on Tony Blair's candidature for president. This is not, we think, the right way forward for Europe. We couldn't be clearer about that.

"I don't think we should be having a president at all. I don't think the Lisbon Treaty is the right step forward. I think Europe is going too far in the direction of creating the emblems of statehood."

He was echoing comments made by shadow foreign secretary William Hague, who reportedly said that Mr Blair becoming President of Europe would be a "hostile act".

Mr Blair is under increasing pressure to declare whether he wants the job, and several senior Labour Party figures, including Foreign Secretary David Miliband, are publicly championing him.

The role of EU president would be created if the Lisbon Treaty is fully ratified.

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