Blair and Patten jostle for top jobs in Brussels

Iraq divided Tony Blair and Chris Patten. Six years later, the political fallout from that war may play a role in deciding which, if either of them, wins a coveted new European job. Mr Blair and Lord Patten, the former Hong Kong governor, are both in the frame for a move to Brussels next January to help beef up Europe's role in the world. Only one can succeed: nobody believes two Britons would be appointed. Mr Blair's unofficial can-didature for the new post of European Union president was blurted out last month by Glenys Kinnock,Europe minister. Meanwhile Lord Patten, former Conservative chairman, told the Financial Times he would be "very positive" about be-coming the EU's single foreign minister, if approached. It is quite possible neither Briton will succeed. Indeed, neither job will even be created if the Lisbon treaty - intended to improve the functioning of the enlarged EU - is rejected for a second time by Irish voters on October 2. But confidence is running high in Brussels that the Irish, feeling vulnerable after the financial crash, will say Yes. That will spark several weeks of horse-trading ahead of an EU summit at the end of October.

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