Blair’s next act

THE TIMES’ RECORD in nominating our favorite 1990s political rock stars for new jobs is, admittedly, not so good. In years past, we have tried without success to get Bill Clinton hired as secretary-general of the United Nations and Bono installed as head of the World Bank. But that’s not stopping us from suggesting a new career for another youthful, soon-to-be-jobless statesman: Tony Blair.

His popularity at home at its lowest ebb, Blair on Thursday finally announced an end date to his exhausted third term as British prime minister: June 27. Yet he remained tight-lipped about his plans for the future, a question that has spurred feverish speculation in the British media.

Much like former Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev, Blair is far better liked in the United States than in his native country, where he is seen as a somewhat corrupt, double-talking water-carrier for President Bush. Brits seem unwilling to look past Blair’s support for the unpopular Iraq war, distracting them from such accomplishments as stewarding a robust economy, modernizing the British left and playing a critical role in the historic Northern Ireland reconciliation process. Even his interventionism didn’t look so bad when it was targeted at Slobodan Milosevic.

London’s Daily Telegraph says Blair has been holding secretive dinners with close advisors and a “Gang of Four” moguls to map out his post-10 Downing Street career. The upshot: He’ll take a page from Clinton’s book and build a foundation focusing on African development, while serving as a roving ambassador for peace in the Middle East. Later, he’ll probably plenish his bank account by writing a memoir and going on the U.S. lecture circuit, where he could drum up $200,000 a speech.

It’s not a bad short-term plan, but we’re thinking bigger. Despite the Iraq taint, Blair remains among the world’s most eloquent diplomats. Maybe president of the European Commission? No one would do a better job, but Blair’s chances of winning are probably nil given his political radioactivity. Head of NATO? Another nice thought, but it might prove awkward for Blair’s successor as prime minister. The World Bank may soon need a new leader, but that job traditionally goes to an American (no jokes, please).

The best job for Blair may be one that doesn’t yet exist. As efforts to combat global warming pick up steam, a new, transnational body will eventually be created to mediate and enforce greenhouse-gas treaties -- sort of an environmental equivalent of the World Trade Organization. Blair, a top spokesman for sensible climate change policy, would make an ideal founding director.

Tony Blair, world environment czar. It’s got a nice ring.