The New EU foreign head

[rov1200]

http://news.bbc.co.uk..._politics/8369477.stm

So now we know who will head the EU's foreign department. Does that mean William Haque will be subserviant and need to put Britain's foreign policy into her hands?

[Androcles]

Another unelected Official on the gravy train.

[ABerrant]

Did Peter, Baron Mandelson, Lord President of the Council, Lord High Executioner, Prince of Darkness, etc. (I must have missed out some of his titles) shoot himself in the foot by returning to domestic politics? The role as high representative of foreign affairs and security could has been bagged by his successor.

[jno]

Mandelson will have known perfectly well the job was up for grabs; everyone did. The fact that he didn't want it suggests it isn't as important a job as it sounds.

[ABerrant]

It's not the importance of the job - surely jetting around the world to meet powerful people (new ones in addition to old chums such as Oleg Deripaska) is more up his alley than having to big-up New Labour in dreary old UK.

[jno]

I don't think he likes powerful people as such, he likes rich ones. Obama isn't going to buy him a house.

[jake-the-peg]

Everybody keeps pretending these jobs have power - they don't.

They are spokesman roles - an answer for the Americans who want to know who to call when they want to speak to Europe.

[Sqad]

jake I agree.

Obama: "Who do I contact to discuss Europe?"

Aide" Baroness Ashton"

Obama:..WHO ???

A bl00dy joke

[jake-the-peg]

That's only because you don't hear about her because she's been quietly and competantly working as trade comissioner.

She was universally backed when her name was put forward - no dissenters.

Long odds can sometimes surprise - I recall a Prime Minister of this country who's only previous qualification was Minister for education!

[Sqad]

jake........ "quietly and competantly working as trade comissioner. "

How do you know?

"She was universally backed when her name was put forward - no dissenters."

I didn't know that there were no dissenters. What a way to elect a President...secretly and over a cup of coffee behind closed doors.

[jake-the-peg]

That's because you're thinking that he's got power - see my first post.

He's appointed to do a job, one of administration and co-ordination. Not one of leadership.

- Like the way American presidents appoint their secretaries of state and defense etc.

They are elected because they have the power.

In the EU the power is still with the council of ministers who are elected in their own *National* governments.

How do I know? - Because I take an interest in the EU and don't just reject it as a waste of time like those who have grown up being spoon fed right wing propaganda from the tabloids

[Sqad]

jake....you keep referring to a "HE" but unless I have got it wrong, Baroness Ashton is a "SHE"

??

[Androcles]

How do I know? - Because I take an interest in the EU and don't just reject it as a waste of time like those who have grown up being spoon fed right wing propaganda from the tabloids

So you are happy that the endemic corruption in the Commission , evidenced by the fact that the Auditors will NOT sign off the accounts and have not done for years, is OK then? I used to work with Marta Andreasen who got fired by Kinnock for blowing the whistle - I know which one of the two I would believe!

Some people believe every bit of propaganda tosh they are fed by the EU!

[Gromit]

Is that the same Marta Andreasen who was elected as a UKIP MEP and represents her South East England constituency by living in Barcelona?

[brionon]

jake-the-peg Save your breath,mate. There are those who will just Hate Europe whatever happens,they'll blame Europe for All the Worls's ills.

[rov1200]

Got no power? Don't believe it! She has got a department of 6000 individuals spread across the world.

Hilary Clinton has already been in touch with her and we know the US would rather deal with one person rather than 27 EU nations.

Brown thinks he has got a puppet but if she was only to take notice of what he wants imagine the uproar from other members. She will have to treat all 27 countries with equal respect.

Depending on your point of view its the biggest change to the EU for years and no longer should we be able to act alone in going to war.