Dan Hannan writes a typically perspicacious piece on the latest developments in the Republic. But perhaps there’s even more to Bertie Ahern’s resignation as Irish PM than meets the eye.
In quitting ahead of the worst of a scandal, it’s of course true that he has deflected some anti-establishment ballots from being set alongside the No tally on EU referendum poll day. Yet in so doing, he could also be seen on the continent to be “taking one for the team”.
The Eurobourbons will remember this in the coming months. Some key new posts open up with the Lisbon Treaty, including last time I checked the small print the Chairmanship of the Eurozone, but also the coveted new Council Presidency.
I suspect then we now know the name of the candidate who will be our first ‘President of Europe’ once the EU Constitution finally gets ratified. A former small country leader, who will be seen as a player in bulldozing European integration through. Blair seems set to be stuck with the Middle East job for some time yet.
