…Talks on the draft EU ‘constitution’ have collapsed. Like Dracula – and unlike Saddam – this monster will, doubtless, be back, but for now, the only thing to do is to enjoy Berlusconi’s opening comments. The Guardian takes up the story:

“Gathered for lunch on the top floor of the Justus Lipsius on Friday morning to launch formal negotiations over the constitution, the 25 heads of government and their ministers were braced for battle. Instead, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, whose country holds the EU presidency, suggested they just chat about ‘football and women’. There was a stunned silence, before ‘the Belgians started droning on about the inter-governmental conference’, said one diplomat.”

Forza Italia!