Tony Blair's chances of becoming President of the European Council appear to be fading, as opposition to his bid mounts in Europe and polls show little support for Blair among voters.
The former prime minister's chances of becoming the first EU President seem to have diminished, just hours after Gordon Brown delivered a statement of support for Blair.
The case for Tony Blair came under attack from European leaders on the right and left at a summit in Brussels, with both France and Germany failing to throw their weight behind him.
Informal soundings at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday confirmed serious objections on the grounds of Britain's perceived lack of EU commitment.
And a YouGov poll for the Daily Telegraph shows that only 31 per cent of voters want to see Blair as President of the European Council.
If the position slips through the former prime minister's fingers, speculation is likely to increase about foreign secretary David Miliband being handed the role of EU foreign policy chief.
It is believed that if the presidency is handed to someone from the centre-right of European politics - as preferred by Germany and France - the foreign policy position would be given to the left.
Miliband has distanced himself from the position. But he has not categorically ruled himself out.
And Gordon Brown would be reluctant to lose such a senior minister so soon before a British general election.
