Airstrip One

The Naive Idiot

Suddenly Blair finds that his newfound chums have gone behind his back and set out a deal that preserves the CAP for another decade. Cue loud noises for the renewed Franco-German axis!

Headlines state this is the 'compromise' deal required to obtain enlargement and France/Germany pressing fait accomplis on their unimportant partners. A few more disappointments like this and Blair might start to change his tune on how useful the EU is. After all, as Peter Hain demonstrates, there's nothing like the zeal of the convert.