today

An article in the Financial Times, citing German diplomats, claims that France's president has already touted Mr Blair for the job during discussions with Germany's chancellor Angela Merkel. The paper claims EU officials have also revealed that Mr Sarkozy has broached the matter elsewhere within Europe.

But Hullo, Hullo .... According to Reuters, Blair would shun job as future EU president "The prime minister has said quite clearly he would not go back into frontline politics," a spokesman at Blair's office said. "This job doesn't actually exist, there's no clear evidence that it's going to exist in the near future."

IMO: I am tempted to say "The EU and Blair deserve one another". Also, maybe a 'job that doesn't exist' could suit a spin-merchant, to use a EUphemism. Toady, alleged by my correspondents to be a 'call-girl's poodle' with the aid of his erstwhile crony Peter Mandelson, could also help the EU to lick the bum - metaphorically I hope - of any future George W. Bush. Anyway, at least the UK might be rid of Toady that way. Wishful thinking I suppose, bad pennies (or euros) usually do crop up again..