Blair suffers first Europe defeat

[G_j]

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,4905483-107988,00.html

Blair suffers first Europe defeat

Michael White, political editor
Tuesday April 20, 2004
The Guardian

Tony Blair was battling to defend his timetable for the government's proposed referendum on the EU constitution last night as Downing Street faced accusations that its handling of the strategic u-turn had been shambolic.

While politicians on all sides welcomed the move, the prime minister lost the first round in a constitutional campaign that will last at least 18 months when Tory pressure forced him to make today's well-trailed Commons statement in person - instead of letting Jack Straw announce the referendum as planned.

Startled MPs, including some cabinet ministers, returned to Westminster from a two-week break to learn that Mr Blair and his close allies had "shot the Tory fox" ahead of EU elections in June by granting Britain's 45 million voters a veto on the 25-nation constitution.

But, in terms that infuriated the Conservatives and dismayed some Liberal Democrats, Mr Blair has done so without conceding the substance of the referendum until late autumn 2005 - safely after the general election likely to be held next May.

..more..

[BostonTeaParty04]

1. Shambolic? Is that a word???? lol

from dictionary.com:

sham·bol·ic ( P ) Pronunciation Key (shm-blk)
adj. Chiefly British Slang

Disorderly or chaotic: “ transportation system is in a shambolic state” (London Sunday Times).

**probably an alternative to the word SHAMBLES.

Hmmmmmmmm, The handling of all executive affairs since January 2001 has been SHAMBOLIC!

[demconfive]

2. And all this time....

...I thought bush was an alcholic, turns out he's a shambholic.
Part sham,part shambolic.