[Billthedrill]

This may save the EU referendum in France but it'll kill it in Great Britain. Chirac is one of the most ham-fisted politicians of my recollection. I don't know if it is really arrogance so much as a combination of incompetence and a political tin ear. Blair's people must be furious.

[ScaniaBoy]

I'm not sure it will save the EU referendum even in France.

There were large demonstrations by sailors in the channel ports against new Frecnh laws allowing foreign nationals serving on French boats. The unions are up in arms.

Also, the retreat on the service directives were couched in such unclear terms that no one knows what really was decided (as usual when these buffoons hold their meetings).

It may just be that the French are in one of their revolutionary modes, which happens from time to time, and then it will be very hard to sway them back from a NO.

Anyway, I can think of no present day politician more like Marie Antoinette than Jacques Chirac.

("Monsieur Thatcher" - my foot!)