Tuesday 27th October 2009 | 14:52

Government can back Blair, but the Tories need to be careful what they say

Two thirds of political insiders believe that it is acceptable for the government to campaign for Blair to become EU president, but there is greater scepticism over the wisdom of the Tories' vociferous opposition

The possibility of Tony Blair becoming EU president has again hit the headlines this week as the Czech Republic appears to be getting nearer to signing the Lisbon Treaty. 

Today Downing Street denied that Gordon Brown had asked officials to lobby for a Blair presidency, but Cabinet Ministers have recently been enthusiastically making his case in recent days.  In contrast, the Conservative party have made it clear that they oppose the idea, with William Hague reportedly calling his European counterparts to lobby against the appointment. 

According to PoliticsHome research, the view within Westminster is that it is acceptable for the government to back a possible Blair campaign, but that the Tories should think twice before actively lobbying against the appointment.

Today’s Phi100 survey of MPs, political journalists, strategists and think tank heads reveals that two thirds of insiders feel it is appropriate for the government to campaign for the person they see as the best candidate for Britain.

Whether or not Gordon Brown has asked officials to lobby for Tony Blair in Europe (denied this morning by Number 10), cabinet ministers are forcefully making the argument for a Blair presidency. Do you think it is appropriate for the government to campaign in this way?

This was the consensus view across the political spectrum, supported by majorities of left-leaning, Liberal Democrat, and non-aligned panellists as well as half of panellists on the right of the political spectrum. 

In contrast, though, over half (fifty four per cent) think it is politically unwise for the Conservatives to lobby against Blair being given the job. 

Right-leaning panellists are the only group who think that this is a wise thing to do.  Solid majorities of left-leaning, Lib Dem and non-aligned panellists advise against it.   

Banging on about Europe

A left-leaning thought leader said of a campaign for Blair: ‘It's not just partisan, it's plain daft. The presidency of the European Council is a non-job, with no executive power. And it's plainly absurd for it to go to a national of a country which is outside the Euro and Schengen.’

A right-leaning strategist, however, commented: ‘Of course they [the government] support Blair. It would be naive to think they wouldn't.’

On the Conservatives’ stance, a right-leaning parliamentarian said: ‘He may get the job but they have a duty to oppose a candidate whom they think will be bad for Britain and the EU.’

However, a non-aligned media panellist said: ‘What the voters see is the Tories banging on about Europe - at a time when the economy is in terrible trouble and government borrowing is out of control.’