Tony Blair's decision to veto the European Union's potential budget deal on Friday will trigger accusations across mainland Europe that he has seriously damaged Britain's imminent presidency of the EU.
Back in Britain, the prime minister's determination to stand up to Jacques Chirac, French president, will elicit the opposite reaction. It will trigger applause from a mostly eurosceptic press that would have vilified the prime minister if he had negotiated away Britain's rebate on its EU contributions. But by vetoing the budget deal and defending the rebate so zealously Mr Blair will find it harder to guarantee a successful presidency.
