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New post of EU chief tempts Blair

By Ben Hall, Political Correspondent

Published: May 3 2007 22:06 | Last updated: May 3 2007 22:06

Tony Blair will seek an “executive role” after he stands down as prime minister this summer, which could include a new post of president of the European Union.

Mr Blair, who is expected to leave office at the beginning of July, is unlikely simply to take to the international lecture circuit, according to Downing Street insiders.

He has not ruled out the possibility of a heavyweight job representing his former fellow heads of government as the president of the European Council in two years’ time, assuming such a position is created under an overhaul of the EU treaty later this year.

Mr Blair will formally announce his resignation as prime minister next week. His spokesman Thursday denied reports that he intended to stand down as an MP at the same time, which would trigger a potentially awkward by-election for his successor, almost certain to be Gordon Brown.

“He has made no decision whatsoever to stand down as an MP and very firmly remains MP for Sedgefield and proud of it,” the spokesman said.

However, Downing Street has stopped short of saying Mr Blair would stay in the Commons until the next general election, possibly three years away, and there is scepticism at Westminster that he would do so.

He has shown little affection for parliament and its clubbish ways and is unlikely to relish life as a backbencher loyally turning up to vote.

Labour figures suggest Mr Blair has not yet made up his mind about how to fill the void that will open up when he leaves Downing Street for the last time in a couple of months.

He will probably dedicate himself to several causes, including making money from speeches and memoirs. He might seek a senior corporate position as a non-executive director or strategic adviser.

It emerged this week that he discussed life after office at a dinner with Lord Browne, the former BP chief executive, in June 2005, a month after winning a third general election.

Mr Blair has already indicated that he will continue to campaign for development and better government in Africa and may use his celebrity status to seek more urgent action to combat climate change.

He will continue to make the case for his modernising, progressive brand of centre-left politics and is thought to be preparing his own foundation – a smaller version of that set up by Bill Clinton, former US president – as a means of carrying forward his work in these areas.

However, at only 56, he would like to find an “executive role” rather than simply becoming an influential observer, say Labour figures.

“The thing about TB is that he likes doing things. He thrives under pressure. He likes to think of himself as a hands-on manager dealing with the big issue, before his attention shifts,” said one aide ruefully.

Mr Blair is said to be attracted by the idea of becoming president of the European Council, if the two-and-a-half year post were created in 2009 under a partially revived constitutional treaty.

He is deeply frustrated at leaving the European stage at a time when his three most senior counterparts are set to be like-minded reformers. He has formed close working relationships with Angela Merkel, German chancellor, and José Manuel Barroso, the European Commission president.

He has also been wooed, and to a degree imitated, by Nicolas Sarkozy, the rightwing contender and favourite to become French president in Sunday’s elections.

Many have assumed that Mr Blair’s role in the Iraq war would disqualify him from the job. But his nomination has been raised by some fellow leaders in private meetings and he could expect the backing of Ms Merkel and Mr Sarkozy, say aides.

New post of EU chief tempts Blair (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/4b7e16a2-f9a6-11db-9b6b-000b5df10621.html)

I'm anxious to see how this develops.  It should be interesting.