Comments on: Tories attack Catherine Ashton

By: Martin

Martin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:39:48 +0000

I never heard anyone criticize Tony Blair for his support for Nuclear Disarmament ca. 1983.

Poor guy can’t win: support for Nuclear Disarmament ca. 1983. Taking us into Iraq War 20 years later.

:,(

By: john alsford

john alsford — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:41:59 +0000

dear Sir,
I woud confine any “representation ” form myself to Cathy Ashton to Mitchell’s Brewery in Lancaster. I think itshould be funded by the Eurpean Development Fund as part of the Adult College there. THere were plans for its demolishment and then some prtests were made successfully. However as building unde a measure of protection it should be put to some use like Ashton of Lancaster’s mills have been as indeed converted into the Adult College.

By: Martin

Martin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:49:41 +0000

I would like to add to my earlier comments.

Some people feel that the UK should have gone for the major economic posts: but key ‘players’ would not have found this acceptable when Britain is outside the Euro zone. So inevitably the economic post would go to a Euro zone person, probably centre-right.

Therefore it is a very good thing that in Cathy we have somebody from the centre-left with an economic training who has the expertise to counter the more unacceptable centre-right policies from the economics High Person.

I note that Mr Van Rompuy also has a training in economics (and philosophy). I am not clear whether he is the sort of Christian Democrat who is centre or centre-right.

By: Daniel Oxley

Daniel Oxley — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:18:31 +0000

To be fair to the Tories, I dont think that you can accuse them of chauvinism in their reluctance to support a UK woman becoming the EU High Representative, they did vote choose Margaret Thatcher as their Leader. The problem with the Conservatives is that they will not support UK interests in the EU; interests which would be well served by keeping their promise of a referendum on the EU Constitution/Lisbon Treaty.

By: Martin

Martin — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:24:54 +0000

I have no doubt about her abilities… I want to see her policies.

I am not clear whether the view that the Tories resent a woman is fair, but I am sure they see her as a dangerous opponent.

If Sarkozy was luke-warm: I would take an insult from him as a compliment, indeed I would love to be damned by his faint praise!

Good luck Mary for getting insulted by Sarkozy!

By: french derek

french derek — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:08:10 +0000

Mary, much as appreciate your enthusiasm for Baroness Ashton, I’m not convinced by your claim that was considered “up to the job”.

Sarkozy was the single head of state holding out against Juncker’s appointment. His “endorsement” of Baroness Ashton was transparently ‘put-on’ (specifically he noted she had fought tirelessly to get the Lisbon Treaty through the House of Lords, etc).

She was distinctly low-key in her replacement role after Mandelson. Hardly what I would have hoped for in the “face” of the EU internationally. But, clearly, that suits Sarkozy, etc, fine: they want to retain their own limelight-hugging roles on the international scene. Meanwhile our High Representative will be expected to maintain her low-key profile – aand to stick to her masters’ script.