"Strictly limited scope for an IGC"

As I have been banging on about for weeks, the reality of the June Berlin summit is finally leaking out, Sarkozy got Zapatero alongside in Spain yesterday, even with reduced votes for Spain according to some accounts, but this from the FT gives the clearest clues of the day:

Tony Blair will represent Britain at a European summit on June 21-22 in virtually his last act as prime minister, and will be asked to agree the outline of a slimmed-down treaty to replace the constitution.

Mr Brown is insisting that Mr Blair avoid any overt transfer of British sovereignty – such as the removal of national vetoes over justice matters and giving the EU a “legal personality” – that would put him under pressure to hold a referendum.

With Mr Brown waiting in the wings, Angela Merkel, German chancellor, hopes to nail down the outline of the new treaty with the help of Mr Blair, minimising the risk the new prime minister might try to unpick the agreement later.

Mr Barroso said he expected the June EU summit to produce a “precise and clear mandate” for the new treaty, strictly limiting the scope of an inter-governmental conference which would finalise the text. He said detailed work could start in July and end by December.

The European Commission president has warned Mr Brown privately that if he fights a rearguard action against the new treaty this autumn it would seriously harm his relations with Ms Merkel and other European leaders.

Mr Brown’s aides are studying the details of the proposed new treaty carefully, but Mr Blair’s team believe it could suit the chancellor of the exchequer for the dirty work to be done by the outgoing premier.