Verdict: O - S

Con Tony Blair l'UE ha un possibile - non probabile - grande leader, certo non federalista, certo europeista. L'alternativa resta lo sfascio civile, e vile, di una realtà partitocratica, non democratica, in declino inarrestabile fatto da parte di coloro che ne sono causa principale, al di fuori dei propri confini come nella considerazione dei propri popoli.
Marco Pannella, ALDE-Italy

Tony Blair's plan to fundamentally change the EU budget is a promising path out of the current crisis. Blair is seeking popular support for the European project by solving the problems that European citizens face in their daily lives. I could not agree more: If the EU is able to answer some of the concrete questions of modern life we can make the European project relevant and valuable to the people.
Seen from this perspective the EU budget is an obvious obstacle. No European country would survive spending 40% of the budget on agricultural subsidies, and as long as we continue to spend seven times more on agriculture than on research, health and education it is no wonder that the popular enthusiasm is limited. In anchoring the European project with the European people the EU should focus on health, jobs and education - on investing in the future, not the past.
Anders Samuelsen, ALDE-Denmark

Tony Blair’s speech to the European Parliament in Brussels was an Oscar-winning performance by one of Europe’s most accomplished actors. By stating that he was both “a passionate pro-European” and an arch moderniser, he disarmed his critics and energised his allies. Even some Euro-sceptics found solace in his remarks! His vow that he would “never accept a Europe that is simply an economic market”, coupled with his demand for “a more rational budget”, unveiled the typical Blair ‘third way’ tactic. Despite the fact that he was a fully signed-up supporter of the Constitution and the CAP only a few weeks ago, he has now donned his Superman cape and pulled his underpants up over his trousers, to assume the role of Europe’s CAP crusader.
However, judging by the contorted faces of some of the French MEP’s listening to his speech, he may yet be facing a challenge of ‘Kryptonite’ proportions. With 900 new European laws in the commission pipeline, Blair’s aspirations for radical reform may be thwarted. In his speech he said that Europe was not facing a crisis of political institutions, but a crisis of political leadership. The dinosaurs he had just singled out for criticism immediately applauded him! They are the ones, led by the French and the Germans, who honestly believe that 900 new directives will increase Europe’s competitive advantage in the global market and will help the EU achieve the Lisbon objectives. These same political leaders discard the notion that the French and Dutch referendums were in any way a rejection of the Constitution. They have called for t a pause in the ratification process while they redouble their efforts to win over Europe’s doubters and attempt to get the integration project back on track.
Amongst these dinosaurs, Blair’s wake-up call will fall on deaf ears. Although he is absolutely right to demand a fundamental reform of the EU budget, with particular focus on the CAP, he will meet stiff opposition from those who stand to lose the most – the French. Blair has exposed the squalid injustice that allows 42per cent of the overall EU budget to be spent on agriculture, while less than 4per cent of the EU workforce work in farming. He has further highlighted the gross inequity of the CAP, which rewards France with almost one quarter of this mammoth budget, leaving the other 24 Member States to fight over the crumbs.
But reform is needed across a much wider field than simply the CAP. The people of France and the Netherlands showed the EU institutions that we have lost touch with our own electors. It was a valuable lesson, which we would do well to learn. Our brave words about achieving the Lisbon Strategy, facing up to the challenges of globalisation, about increased competitiveness and economic reform, are never matched by brave deeds. We have virtually abandoned the growth and stability pact. We have begun a predictable and whole-scale retreat from the services directive. Like turkeys voting for an early Christmas the majority of MEPs voted to end the opt-out on the working time directive and to impose a mandatory 48-hour working week across the board. More red tape. More bureaucracy. More interference in the lives of our citizens. Blair has set out to slay Europe’s dragons. He may find that dinosaurs are more difficult to kill!
Struan Stevenson, EPP-ED-UK

The EU's current crisis presents the UK government - and Tony Blair specifically - with an enormous challenge, but also an opportunity.
Ever since 1997 Blair has been trying to prove himself a true European leader. So far he has failed. This is his last chance. Mission: save the constitution and European economy.
Whereas Germany and France are drowning in political and economic problems, United Kingdom just had its elections and is a blooming economy. UK is probably the only big country that could show the way for reform on European level. Blair's initiative to refocus the EU budget is an interesting one, and should not be rejected at first sight.
If Blair really intends to prove himself as a European leader economic reform will not be enough. Blair must show that he wants more Europe, not less. He must defend the constitutional process of Europe wholeheartedly. It is time for Blair to move beyond "N.A.T.O", that is No Action, Talk Only.
Alexander Stubb, EPP-ED-Finland

It was good to hear that Mr. Blair considers the European Union a political project. He also showed some flexibility concerning the infamous rebate in the context of a comprehensive budgetary reform including farming subsidies. He underlined that enlargement must continue, and named both Croatia and Turkey in this regard, unlike the recent European Council.
All these declarations are warmly welcome. The question of the upcoming presidency is whether brilliant oratory will be matched by real actions and sound management. Europe needs leadership and vision to reconnect with its citizens, and statesmanship to reconcile the interests and aspirations of its member states. However, it is clear that new and more successful ways of cooperation must be explored on the basis of deeper integration and not at the expense of it. The Union should be reconstructed and not dismantled. If Blair's third way is not an exit strategy in disguise but a creative attempt to revitalise the European integration, it might even prove to be a much needed help from the least expected source.
István Szent-Ivanyi, ALDE-Hungary

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