My Eastern Region MEP Robert Sturdy has accused the EU of “a classic fudge” over the appointment of its first president and foreign minister, the two top jobs in Europe.
The Belgian Prime Minister, Herman Van Rompuy, is the first president elected by European leaders under the Lisbon Treaty, while Baroness Ashton, former Trade Commissioner, is the newly appointed High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy.
Mr Sturdy worked closely with Baroness Ashton as Conservative spokesman on international trade, and in June 2007 ratified her appointed as Trade Commissioner.
He said:
“Both these appointments are a classic EU fudge. They have appointed two weak people so Merkel and Sarkozy are not threatened.
“Baroness Ashton is a very nice person and was a good trade minister, but whether she is up to this new role remains to be seen. I am rather concerned it is a question of appointing people who are not qualified.
“Belgium has a split government and can’t agree on which language they should speak. How on earth can they agree on Europe? I would have liked to have seen Chris Patten as our president.”
UPDATE: Robert has this morning had an interview on Radio Cambridgeshire and been quoted in The Telegraph. Just had an interview request too from BBC Today in Parliament.
A very interesting post. Great indo Ellee, Thank you.
Disaffected, yes, she certainly has become a more interesting character.
It appears even worse than imagined .
Seems ” Ive never been elected to anything ” Ms Ashton was chief treasurer for CND in her youth and was thought to have communist leanings .
Do you think shes working for the Russians ?
A very interesting post Ellee, Thank you.
Really Elle how scary is this !
“Cathy ” Ashtons only claim to fame appears to be that she was given ” politician of the year ” award by gay rights group Stonewall in 2006 .
Now shes running the EU !
It gets more like something from Gilbert and Sullivan by the day .
The Mikado comes to mind ” The Lord High Executioner “
There are more fudges in eurpoe than in a sweet factory.
WW, I can see the similarity
Do you think she’s related to Margaret Beckett?