Tory PM and Socialist president discuss many things but not the things everyone else wants to talk about
They talked about so many things. Europe, defence, nuclear, history, government spending. But the prime minister is human; mere flesh and blood. So for at least part of the time, David Cameron will have been saying one thing to President François Hollande while thinking another; this guy - this short bespectacled guy with the slicked back hair; with that time-worn look – merging Jack Nicholson and Sven Göran Eriksson. With his place at the centre of an infamous love triangle, and not for the first time either - how does he do it?
And the answer is that in his way President Hollande is a bit of a smoothy. Happy to talk for hours in a fashion seemingly effortless. Confident in his own skin. Happy to milk the limelight on his own terms. And we all saw that during their press conference at RAF Brize Norton on Friday when the president - who came to talk about Europe and defence and history and government spending - was asked by the man from a British newspaper (the super, soaraway Telegraph) about the recent entanglements in his private life. "Monsieur Le President," began senior political correspondent Chris Hope. "I know this is a very sensitive subject for you. Do you think your private life has made France an international joke. Are you still having an affair with Julie Gayet. And do you wish she was here?"
Cameron's reaction was not to react. He launched into an answer to a question about his referendum, and it was clear that even he had no idea what was coming out of his mouth. He was playing for time on Hollande's behalf. Hollande himself mouthed something about Britain being entitled to have a referendum if it wanted one. As to his own wants and desires, he smiled an uneasy smile and said. "With regard to your last question, I'm afraid I decline to answer."
A question later, the prez and the prime minister stepped down from their respective podiums to continue discussions at an Oxfordshire pub. Hollande may have needed a drink, and he did shoot a final glare at the press before leaving the auditorium. But there was an impressive composure about the French president. So many admirers. They can't all be wrong.
When they talked policy, it seemed that the two men agreed on the things that united them and agreed to disagree about the rest. Discussing nuclear power and the fact that EDF Energy will build the first new power station in a generation at Hinkley Point in Somerset, Hollande looked rather smug and Cameron rather grateful, particularly at the mention of thousands of jobs. They jointly expressed concern about the continuing tragedy in Syria, rattled sabres at the errant president supervising repression in Ukraine, and reminisced about military co-operation during French-led operations in Mali and the Central African republic. They also said they would work together to stop the number of young people being radicalised by terrorists and extremists; between 600 and 700 young people on either side of the Channel. That part was easy, indicated Hollande. "We have the same interests and the same values." Both would collaborate over the 70th anniversary of D-Day and fuss over the Queen. Both countries would work together on satellite research in space.
But it was clear there had been, and would be, little common ground over Cameron's demand for EU reform. Both said they wanted an efficient Europe: neither pretended they saw the nuts and bolts of that in the same way. They would never agree on everything said Cameron. "François is a French socialist and I am a British Conservative."
France wants the UK inside the EU, said Hollande. And he was not above a spot of mischief on that score, imagining perhaps - and despite the prime minster's known stance – a time of closer European integration. EDF will build at least two new nuclear reactors, he said. "This is at least £16bn worth. I am talking of pounds here. Not for the time being of euros. I don't want to embarrass David."
Which was kind, for the prime minister had probably sufficient embarrassment for one week, having faced a Commons rebellion from 80-odd of his backbenchers over the immigration bill. He was asked about the chaos at Westminster. Chaos? What chaos, he said? Everything went perfectly. Another thing for the two leaders to agree on. Life's trials only bother if you let them. Reported by guardian.co.uk 6 hours ago.
They talked about so many things. Europe, defence, nuclear, history, government spending. But the prime minister is human; mere flesh and blood. So for at least part of the time, David Cameron will have been saying one thing to President François Hollande while thinking another; this guy - this short bespectacled guy with the slicked back hair; with that time-worn look – merging Jack Nicholson and Sven Göran Eriksson. With his place at the centre of an infamous love triangle, and not for the first time either - how does he do it?
And the answer is that in his way President Hollande is a bit of a smoothy. Happy to talk for hours in a fashion seemingly effortless. Confident in his own skin. Happy to milk the limelight on his own terms. And we all saw that during their press conference at RAF Brize Norton on Friday when the president - who came to talk about Europe and defence and history and government spending - was asked by the man from a British newspaper (the super, soaraway Telegraph) about the recent entanglements in his private life. "Monsieur Le President," began senior political correspondent Chris Hope. "I know this is a very sensitive subject for you. Do you think your private life has made France an international joke. Are you still having an affair with Julie Gayet. And do you wish she was here?"
Cameron's reaction was not to react. He launched into an answer to a question about his referendum, and it was clear that even he had no idea what was coming out of his mouth. He was playing for time on Hollande's behalf. Hollande himself mouthed something about Britain being entitled to have a referendum if it wanted one. As to his own wants and desires, he smiled an uneasy smile and said. "With regard to your last question, I'm afraid I decline to answer."
A question later, the prez and the prime minister stepped down from their respective podiums to continue discussions at an Oxfordshire pub. Hollande may have needed a drink, and he did shoot a final glare at the press before leaving the auditorium. But there was an impressive composure about the French president. So many admirers. They can't all be wrong.
When they talked policy, it seemed that the two men agreed on the things that united them and agreed to disagree about the rest. Discussing nuclear power and the fact that EDF Energy will build the first new power station in a generation at Hinkley Point in Somerset, Hollande looked rather smug and Cameron rather grateful, particularly at the mention of thousands of jobs. They jointly expressed concern about the continuing tragedy in Syria, rattled sabres at the errant president supervising repression in Ukraine, and reminisced about military co-operation during French-led operations in Mali and the Central African republic. They also said they would work together to stop the number of young people being radicalised by terrorists and extremists; between 600 and 700 young people on either side of the Channel. That part was easy, indicated Hollande. "We have the same interests and the same values." Both would collaborate over the 70th anniversary of D-Day and fuss over the Queen. Both countries would work together on satellite research in space.
But it was clear there had been, and would be, little common ground over Cameron's demand for EU reform. Both said they wanted an efficient Europe: neither pretended they saw the nuts and bolts of that in the same way. They would never agree on everything said Cameron. "François is a French socialist and I am a British Conservative."
France wants the UK inside the EU, said Hollande. And he was not above a spot of mischief on that score, imagining perhaps - and despite the prime minster's known stance – a time of closer European integration. EDF will build at least two new nuclear reactors, he said. "This is at least £16bn worth. I am talking of pounds here. Not for the time being of euros. I don't want to embarrass David."
Which was kind, for the prime minister had probably sufficient embarrassment for one week, having faced a Commons rebellion from 80-odd of his backbenchers over the immigration bill. He was asked about the chaos at Westminster. Chaos? What chaos, he said? Everything went perfectly. Another thing for the two leaders to agree on. Life's trials only bother if you let them. Reported by guardian.co.uk 6 hours ago.