The great EU stitch-up: Low-profile UNELECTED Labour crony is made EU foreign minister – so a fanatical Belgian federalist can become President….UNELECTED PM…Democracy?-yea right!

The great EU stitch-up: Low-profile Labour crony is made EU foreign minister – so a fanatical Belgian federalist can become President

By Jason Groves and James Chapman

Last updated at 8:25 AM on 20th November 2009
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A virtually unknown Labour crony was last night installed as Europe’s first ‘foreign secretary’.

In a move derided as an EU stitch-up, Baroness Ashton was Britain’s ‘consolation prize’ after Tony Blair’s dream of the presidency was crushed.

The similarly low-profile Belgian prime minister Herman Van Rompuy – who favours the introduction of EU-wide taxes and the abolition of national flags and anthems – was named president.

He had been hot favourite to win the job as Mr Blair’s bid crumbled in recent days.
Congratulations all-round: Baroness Cathy Ashton (right) and Belgium’s Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy celebrate with a kiss after being named Europe’s first foreign minister and first EU president respectively
Ashton who? French president Nicolas Sarkozy and Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite greet the Baroness, while Brown looks on with Estonian prime minister Andrus Ansip (top right)
But the elevation of Lady Ashton – who only eight years ago was head of Hertfordshire Health Authority – to EU high representative had been unexpected.

Lady Ashton herself was so unprepared for her promotion last night that she had no speech ready when she held a joint press conference with Mr Van Rompuy.

Yet her new role will make her one of the world’s most powerful unelected figures.

She will also be in charge of thousands of staff and have the run of a grace-and-favour home in Brussels.
Lady Ashton helped steer the Lisbon Treaty, which has created her new job, through Parliament without a referendum as Labour leader in the House of Lords.

Since then, she has had an unimpressive spell as EU trade commissioner.
Her appointment came as Gordon Brown ditched his support for Mr Blair’s audacious bid to win the new EU presidency.

The former prime minister was dumped by Mr Brown before the EU’s 27 leaders even started what had been billed as a marathon private meeting in Brussels to select a candidate for the post.

Downing Street said it had ‘become clear that the chances of a Blair presidency, for a number of good reasons, were declining’.
Gordon Brown on Ashton’s appointment: ‘It shows that Britain is at the heart of Europe’

Mr Brown last night welcomed Lady Ashton’s appointment as High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy. The Prime Minister said she would also hold the vicepresidency of the European Commission.

‘It gives Britain a powerful voice both within the council and the commission,’ Mr Brown said. ‘It will ensure, of course, that Britain’s voice is very loud and clear.’

But, adding to the sense that Lady Ashton had been plucked from obscurity, Mr Brown repeatedly referred to her as ‘Cathy Ashdown’.

Lady Ashton had to be called on the telephone to see if she would accept the job once Mr Brown dropped his backing for Mr Blair.

Dashing to the summit after a swift celebratory drink with some of her team of EU Commission trade officials, she said: ‘I am very honoured and proud to have been asked to take on this role.’

She added: ‘I will make sure I represent our values across the world, and I will endeavour to do in my own way the best that I can.’

Say cheese: The winners Ashton (far right) and Van Rompuy (far left) are joined by Sweden’s Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt (centre left) and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso for an EU ‘family photo’
Top job: German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulates Ashton as Van Rompuy and Reinfeldt look on
Winners are grinners: Sarkozy shares a laugh with Van Rompuy whom he backed to the detriment of former British prime minister Tony Blair
All smiles: Ashton with her congratulatory flowers and Barroso address the press after the announcement

Lady Ashton will head up a 5,000-strong EU diplomatic service with 120 embassies around the globe, and have a say in the allocation of the bloc’s £6.5billion foreign aid budget.

The job is expected to attract a salary of more than £200,000 a year, along with a grace-and-favour home and lavish expenses.

A former employee of CND, Lady Ashton will now be responsible for Europe’s security and defence policy.

More…Tony Blair’s former school rocked by drugs scandal as 19 pupils are expelled and suspended

The Prime Minister said he still felt that Mr Blair – whom he backed for the presidency – would have been ‘excellent’.

But he added: ‘As the week went by it became clear that the EPP [the centre-right grouping in the European Parliament] wanted to have one of their own members as president of the council.’

A senior No 10 source said Mr Brown’s backing of Mr Blair, long after his chances had faded, had given Britain ‘leverage’ to get Lady Ashton the job as the second most powerful figure in the EU.

Side-by-side: French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, pictured in Brussels, both backed Van Rompuy
Relief: Could Sarkozy be thinking, ‘Thank goodness that’s over’?
Friends of the bruised former prime minister – nicknamed ‘Boney Blair’ for his Napoleonic ambitions – said he was deeply disappointed by his rejection.

Mr Blair’s biographer Anthony Seldon said the former prime minister was so angry over Tories’ decision to try to torpedo his bid that he is willing to set aside his differences with Mr Brown and campaign for him in next year’s General Election.

But he said Mr Blair’s failure to get the EU post had also ‘whetted his appetite for another big international role’.

Some EU leaders feared that they might be overshadowed by Mr Blair’s grandstanding on the world stage.

Crushed: Tony Blair was ruled out of the running for the EU presidency when Gordon Brown switched his support to Lady Ashton
By contrast, Mr Van Rompuy, 62, and Lady Ashton, 53, are both virtually unknown outside their own countries.

Leaked documents yesterday revealed that the president will have a salary of £320,000, far in excess of the £197,000 paid to Mr Brown or the £245,000 received by U.S. president Barack Obama.

The total cost of the president and his team to the taxpayer is expected to top £5.5million a year.

Mr Van Rompuy somewhat cryptically promised to listen to all EU members.

‘Even though our unity is our strength, our diversity remains our wealth,’ he said. He is expected to take office on January 1.

Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party, said: ‘The EU has this evening appointed two political pygmies who have the power to remove the last vestiges of democracy from the UK.

‘Baroness Ashton is ideal for the role. She’s never had a proper job, and never been elected to public office.’

Lorraine Mullally, director of the think-tank Open Europe, said: ‘This is an outrageous stitch-up by Europe’s elite.

‘Meeting over a nice big dinner and behind closed doors 27 people in Brussels will decide on the two biggest jobs in Europe while the 500million citizens they are supposed to represent are expected just to hang on and wait for the outcome.’

Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague, however, congratulated Mr Van Rompuy and Lady Ashton on their appointments.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1228994/EU-president-race-descends-chaos-leaders-struggle-agree-candidate.html#ixzz0XONA4yNa

This dictatorship will one day collapse when the people of Europe rise up.
– May, Northants UK, 20/11/2009 9:57
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No democracy in the stalinist EU – with two total non-entities put in charge – probably on vast salaries – so the appallingly expensive unnecessary bureaucracy just rolls on. and on to the great disadvantage of us here

No democracy in stalinist Brown’s Labour clinging on desperately to power to the last possible minute just for the sake of massaging Brown’s huge incompetent ego.
– roger, brighton, 20/11/2009 9:56
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What a difference a day makes. the British Press were climbing all over the possible nomination of Tony Blair as President of the EU. The vote comes along and when he is overlooked and a Federalist President is chosen instead the British Press are crying foul because he did not get the job. As with all wishes, be careful what you wish for,(Tony Blair not to be the President), and look at the alternative, Rumpoy. The “Little Englander” press are now going to see what a progressive Federalist Europe is all about. Just as in the early years of the United States of America, the United States of Europe is the aspiration of a lot of people who can see that size does matter. Wake up everyone in “Little Britain” and realize that it is time to embrace the European ideal. Come on into the water, it is just fine.
– Paul Clyne, Redditch, 20/11/2009 9:55
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“No Taxation Without Representation!”

The American Revolution started because of this.
Time for the English Revolution.
Death to the Fascist EU insect that preys upon the life of the people.
Time for us to form an Resistance.
– link, reading, 20/11/2009 9:52
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“We have a powerful voice in Europe!”says McBroon.

Hmm……a powerful voice, from a woman who looks like an Assistant Librarian!

When do we get the chance to vote her out?
– Coop, London, England, 20/11/2009 9:51
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Is is not time we all realised that the only people to gain from this nonsense of an EU, are the shareholders of the conglomerates controlling the trade within this association, and the shyster politicians doing their bidding. The gravy train they have embarked upon beggars belief. Before the Common Market we traded with the world. There is nothing to stop us doing so again. Just think of the save on the contributions to these biggest con of all time.
– Pete, Bristol, 20/11/2009 9:51
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Just exactly what do these muppets have to do with me, my country or the price of fish?

Two total non-entities, unelected by the population, running a huge, over-salaried quango.

Who needs it?
– harry, GREAT BRITAIN, 20/11/2009 9:50
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This the result that I’ve been dreading. Now all those believers in allowing Great Britain to become ruled by the dictates of Europe will; it is hoped. be prepared to pay the exeedingly high price for thier stupidity. Yes it is agreed that a trading partnership of European nations shall prove of value in the long term but allowing the European parliament to take over completely; changing our way of life to suit them, is a nonsense. Were the electorate of the UK allowed to vote on who shall be appointed to senior positions within the European parliament NO. Why not;; surely it is our human right to have a say in who should or should not be elected, or is this the way it shall be from now on? Are members of the UK now c;lassed as puppets of the EU and wnen our strings are pulled; they shall demand and expect without question, for us too dance to their tune. What a sad and sorry mess has been created by those in whom our trust is placed. Sad very Sad indeed for everymember of the UK.
– Mr Walter Brown, EASTBOURNE. England, 20/11/2009 9:48
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Ah well Tone, back to the lecturing , oh and don’t forget the other part time job that we don’t hear a lot about, bringing peace to Palestine/Israel.
– shallotman, Basildon UK, 20/11/2009 9:48
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There you go, Tony. This is how it feels on this end of a broken promise. Now do you get it that nobody likes you?

Looks like Belgium won one for a change. Let’s see how long it is before Europe breaks up because not every country will roll over for euroquangocrats.
– Rick, Scunthorpe, Lincs, 20/11/2009 9:48
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So this is how it all starts. With self applaud and contempt for their new subjects.

Remember the pictures above as this is history in dismantlement! ……
– Joe, Essex, 20/11/2009 9:45
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Who the hell is this muppet Ashton?????????? <Give me strength….
– Martin, Hereford, 20/11/2009 9:45
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I watched the Tory party broadcast last night in the hope they may give us an insight into their policies on the EU and, dare I mention it immigration. No not one mention of either of the subjects closest to our hearts right now, the loss of our sovereignty and culture. Yes the NHS, public spending and closure of public services are important, but if the former is sorted first the latter, I'm sure will follow. Would love to vote Tory in confidence, but why do I get the feeling that I'll be voting for more of the same? Who else is there……………………..?
– Paul, Barnstaple, 20/11/2009 9:45
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Federalism rolls on, but at least Blair is sidelined,and Cherie will be furious !
– J R L G, Derbyshire U K, 20/11/2009 9:44
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OMG the newly unelected EU-duo are "sooo ugly!"
– Jay, Loughton, Essex, 20/11/2009 9:43
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An unelected British PM congratulates an unelected High Representative.

The EU, a civil servants paradise and a disgrace to western democracy.
– M Rees, Norwich UK, 20/11/2009 9:43
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Treasured of FL, USA (funny name for a place FL) – it's the usual thing with americans – they know nothing of what goes on in the world other than america.
– David, London, 20/11/2009 9:40
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This whole undemocratic organisation need s to be wound up now and all its properties sold off
The next alternative would be for the U K to quit and leave them to support their own cronies and bloated bureacracy to make badly thought out laws e..g.the landfill legislation, fisheries, agriculture, etc.
At least we do not have the face of Blair as its head although he will, no doubt, unfortunately remain in public life instead of sinkingh into the obscurity he so well merits
– alan, Ludlow, 20/11/2009 9:39
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I have NEVER seen a more unattractive pair. Good luck to them – but just keep away from the UK
– David, London, 20/11/2009 9:39
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I can see a european civil war breaking out some time in the future, it always takes a war to set up something like this,
England one of the states in , The united states of Europe
– A Native Englishman, Aylesbury ,England, 20/11/2009 9:38
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Now will Bliar get the message – he is not wanted
– David, London, 20/11/2009 9:38
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You lot do, finally now understand that this is all one big Papal stitch up!
– Walter McCabe, Freshford UK, 20/11/2009 9:37
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The picture of Sarkozy and Merkle is very revealing.

It looks as if Sarkozy is saying, 'Yes, I used the same method recently to get my 24 year old son that job as head of the Paris financial district'.

Merkle replies, 'yes, your strategy of employing incompetents, so that we may retain real power, was fantastic'!
– Mike, Croatia, 20/11/2009 9:36
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I think that Europe is a good thing, why are narrow minded people on here moaning again about the EU? Britain is a grate example of openess and fairness and is all about inclusion not exclusion.

All you Mail readers who sit there in your ivory towers should wake up and smell the coffee. We are in 2009 not 1909. Gordon Brown is doing a good job in difficult circumstances, back him not berate him.

When my mum and dad got off the boat in the 50s they were welcomed with open arms not closed minds.

Where has love gone?
– CletuCletuss, Tower Hamlets, 20/11/2009 9:35

CLETU-YOU ARE AN EXAMPLE OF WHERE IMMIGRATION HAS TAKE BRITAIN- LOVE- SWAMPED OUT!!
THIS YEAR COMRADE BROWNSKI WILL HAVE BORROWED ANOTHER £200 BILLION- OH YEA- HE'S DOING A GREAT JOB- IF THE INTENTION IS TO WRECK MY COUNTRY!!
WHO MET THE BOAT—ENOCH POWELL…………YOU HAVE A STRANGE MEMORY FOR SURE!
YOU WANT A FORTH REICH- MOVE TO GERMANY!!!
MULTICULTURALISM- WHICH WILL DESTROY THE COUNTRY- BY MAKING THE VOTES OF ALIENS COUNT NOT OURS!!

80 MILLION PLUS UK POPULATION- MEANS- THATS' NOT TOO FAR OFF!!

TOWER HAMLETS- LOL—-AS IF THATS BRITAIN ANYMORE!