Polish MEP's cool response to Tony Blair's vision of Europe

Blair declared that Europe is in crisis which may be overcome by a change of its priorities. He stated that the UK blocked the compromise over the budget because too much money is being spent on agriculture instead of the creation of modern new jobs and R&D. "[His] vision of modernity may be persuasive," admitted Jacek Saryusz-Wolski from the Civic Platform. However, the Polish deputies to the European Parliament emphasized that Blair did not say where to find funds for the implementation of his vision. "He is a prisoner of a one percent club," added Saryusz-Wolski, since Britain was one of six countries which supported and ultimately rejected the proposal to limit EU expenditures to 1% of the national income of all EU states between 2007 and 2013. "He did not describe the decision-making mechanism, nor the ultimate shape of the compromise," stated Bronisław Geremek from the Democratic Party. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, A7; Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 1) E.B.