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Letter From Europe: Blair out of the loop on Lebanon conflict

Letter From Europe: Blair out of the loop on Lebanon conflict There has been a curious conceit in the British political village in these days of distant warfare and it goes like this: If only Tony Blair had joined his European partners in calling for an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon, so much of the bloodshed might have been avoided. Objectively, of course, the argument is deeply flawed. In the diplomacy at the UN, Britain was apparently sidelined as France and the United States sought common language for a resolution. In terms of realpolitik, moreover, it is a stretch to

Blair defends Europe budget deal

Blair defends Europe budget deal Tony Blair says an EU budget deal which will see £1bn a year cut from the UK's rebate is an "investment in the future prosperity" of eastern Europe. The deal, reached in Brussels early on Saturday, includes an EU commitment to review farm spending in 2008. But Tory leader David Cameron said Mr Blair had failed "in every single one" of his objectives in the EU budget negotiations. Charles Kennedy said the outcome of the summit was disappointing. More:

Blair attacks Europes mad anti-Americans Add to Clippings

Blair attacks Europes mad anti-Americans Add to Clippings British prime minister Tony Blair launched a withering attack on Thursday on what he called mad anti-Americanism among European politicians. Blair, US president George W Bushs closest ally in the so-called war on terror, said the world urgently needs the United States to help tackle the globes most pressing problems. The danger is if they decide to pull up the drawbridge and disengage. We need them involved, Blair said, spelling out his political vision in a pamphlet published by The Foreign Policy Centre think-tank. More : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Europe diary: Blair’s ’weakness’

Europe diary: Blair's 'weakness' In his diary this week, BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell discusses Brussels' view of divisions in the UK cabinet, Hungary's borders and some unfortunate doubles entendres. There's near-universal dismay in Brussels because of the perception here that a weakened Tony Blair can't and won't deliver on the European Union budget. Many of those involved think Blair is Gordon Brown's prisoner and that the chancellor doesn't want a deal done. Even those who think a deal can be done say the negotiations won't be about figures but finding a face-saving formula that would enable Tony Blair to partially surrender

UK pay gap among worst in Europe

UK pay gap among worst in Europe The pay gap between men and women in Britain is one of the worst in Europe, but this is not the fault of employers, a government-appointed commission concluded today. A report by the Women and Work Commission made 40 "business-friendly" recommendations aimed at boosting pay and opportunities for women after it found that women were paid on average 17% less than men. The gap among part-time workers was 38%, it found Tony Blair responded to the report, which he commissioned in 2004, by appointing the culture secretary and minister for women, Tessa Jowell, to produce