When is a National Interest not in the national interests?

“The Guardian”, a British newspaper, ran a story on October 30th quoting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown as saying:

“If you have the chance for that to happen, it is in Britain’s national interest. But of course it may not happen, and there are other candidates as well. …“

This was in relation to the possible nomination of former British Premier Tony Blair as the first President of Europe as prescribed by the Lisbon Treaty, the EU’s attempt to rationalize its processes and – according to critics – take the EU forward on its seemingly-inevitable path to political union.

Now, a couple of things stuck me forcefully about this statement.

First, WHAT EXACTLY has choosing the first European President got to do with Britain’s national interest? Should we not be first of all concerned with EUROPE’S interest? Is a preoccupation with OUR national interest in the spirit of European partnership at all?

Secondly, HOW exactly could Britain’s national interest be supposed to benefit from the President being British? Would he somehow be expected to favour Britain? Perhaps swing lucrative aerospace contracts our way?

In other words, what Brown said was ridiculous, betraying a narrow, partisan view of what European cooperation is all about. Now I have many problems with the EU, but that doesn’t mean I like to see Britain taking such a parochial and frankly selfish standpoint.

I would feel no pride whatsoever just to see a Brit as President, nor would I expect or indeed wish any particular aspect of British national interest to be furthered just because the EU President was British.

On the contrary, I believe Britain’s image has immensely suffered with the current shenanigans involved in Whitehall’s lumbering attempts to push Blair’s candidacy, including reportedly sharp exchanges between Brown and other leaders at the current summit. It was – to me if apparently not to Blair and his advisors – blindingly obvious that the only way for Blair to have any chance of getting this post was to be humble, discreet, lofty and statesmanlike. Instead, we have seen reports to the effect that he would take the job “if it were big enough” and that various political worthies have been “sounded out” about whether they would serve under him in Brussels.

A large dose of hubris is in order I am afraid, and in any case Blair’s chances seem to be fading fast, not least because German Chancellor Angela Merkel is said to have become aware of how “unpopular Blair is in his own country”, in contrast to his international image as globe-strutting statesman.

Blair’s future does not interest me overmuch; I am more concerned by the current PM’s lack of judgement and statesmanship.

By Chris Snuggs

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