By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982
UPDATE: Paul Waugh writes of an interesting scenario in which Sarkozy kills Blair's hopes, boosts Miliband's, and allows Peter Mandelson to step into his dream job at the Foreign Office.
The likelihood of Tony Blair becoming European president may now be dimming, but the rumours that David Miliband might be tempted by the EU foreign policy job swirl on.
The Guardian today carries a double page spread on Brussels' supposed courting of Miliband. It calls him a "serious contender" who has "impressed European leaders" and is "on the shortlist". The paper also notes that Miliband has "never ruled himself out" completely and that the foreign secretary might follow Peter Mandelson's lead and take five years in the EU to avoid potential acrimony in the party post-election.
But rumours they are alone, for it is impossible to conceive that such an ambitious MP would slay his Labour leadership credentials on the mantle of a third such fiasco. After Miliband's failed soundings for the leadership in 2008, and his failure to support his friend James Purnell by stepping down from the cabinet last June, he can ill-afford even the perception of any more jockeying or inaction.
Labour members would never forgive Miliband if he bailed on the party so close to the general election; like Hazel Blears, he would become an instant pariah.
Miliband's supporters will be eager to note, then, that Gordon Brown has distanced his foreign secretary from the fray, saying last night:
"If there is a shortlist, I'm sure David would be on it because he has excellent qualifications. But he doesn't want to be on it. And indeed there is no such list."
Meanwhile, Miliband brushed off the speculation:
"Not available, as the Prime Minsiter said".
It's a non-starter.
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Hello, what do you? Are you an anti-semite? Hello, what do you? Are you an anti-semite? Hello, what do you? Are you an anti-semite? Hello, what do you? Are you an anti-semite? Is there anyone he hasn't upset yet?
It's just from reading the title and the article, it sometimes comes across as a criticism of Miliband rather than an attempt to explain why Miliband would never want the job.
Miliband has clearly said he does not want the job of High Representative, so this just seems to be fuelling the journalistic trouble-making of making the Cabinet seem divided when it isn't.
For the record, I believe Miliband would be a good leader of the Party after Gordon and I can't really see anyone else who's more likely to get it (maybe with the exception of Alan Johnson).
The purpose is to dismiss the rumours as implausible and "rumours alone" and that the speculation is just that; there is no truth to it.
The reasons are multiple. Aside from GB and DM both saying it's not going to happen - as stated here - DM also knows that it would be too risky to even be seen as considering.
So I was reporting the Guardian's double pager, and then saying it won't happen.
So where is the sense of outrage?
How about Peter Mandelson making €8,000, 000?
How about the Kinnochs? they cleared about the same amount, in addition to lots and lots of global warming miles.
What about the total lack of any election for the post of President or Foreign Minister?
Who cares any more?
Why not just let the Fascists have it their way? That is what the Left always does, isn't it? Remember Stalin anyone? Or Mussolini? Or Pol Pot or Mao? Or Sir Oswald Mosley? Or, now Nick Griffin? All lefties. All fascists.
Of anything, except his own smug ego.
Substantive point: Miliband (D) is wrong for the leadership role, and I think he's proved that to himself as well as everyone else. He's exceptionally clever, but has no sense of the populism that is necessary (sounds familiar?).
Saying that he would probably enjoy the European job, but shouldn't think he can take Mandelson as a model and come back. He needs to choose for himself between his dwindling chances at leadership and a shot at the EU role.
Non-substantive point: Anyone who in the same sentence can call someone Milislime and accuse someone else of student politics has a breathtaking lack of a sense of irony.
Miliband models himself on Bliar - but he has none of his natural gifts for oration, or his humour, and he is increasingly seen as becoming something of an obsessive over this Kaminski affair.
Tell you what Milislime - stick to student politics - you're rather good at it.
I'm waiting for Douglas Alexander to be made ambassador to the United Nations
Gordon the ruiner hasn't backed him yet!
The thought horrifies me , We need a Forigan sec who is respected and doesnt make smears against the torys and some of our Europeon partners.
ricki
Given the greatly reduced circumstances that the Labour Party will find itself in 5 years time, it is more than likely that Labour will seek to attract any reasonably 'successful' person to lead it.
So while you throw around statements like "unelected" remember that there are lots of very influential positions (Rupert Murdoch? Lord Ashcroft? Fred the Shred?) that are unelected. You cannot just pick and choose which one you feel angry about, you have to either make *all* positions elected or stop throwing around a pointless phrase.
Oh sorry this is labour, lies and smears are the stock in trade of todays left.