They, rather than American neo-liberalism or German-style stakeholder capitalism, are Mr Blair's model and inspiration.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot: Whatever works | The

Blair praises Mexican model.

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And you will scour the business manifesto in vain for the briefly-fashionable stakeholder model of business which Mr Blair flirted with as his own big idea just 15 months ago.

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"It's not about imposing a model (on France) but Tony Blair has demonstrated pragmatism and has been useful for his country and I want a France that is very open to the world, " Mr Sarkozy said, citing Northern Ireland and economic reforms.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | Sarkozy hails 'pragmatic' Blair

But Mr Brown continued to fret that Mr Blair was insufficiently robust in defending Britain's superior economic model from European hanky-panky.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot

Mr Blair has a good story to tell - and to sell as a possible model for more struggling economies in the EU. But to do this, he must first find a new and more constructive tone when dealing with Britain's EU partners.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | EU's 'Waterloo' summit angers press