Juncker spent the months since the
European elections in May 2014 negotiating with national governments, political parties, and candidates until in September the Brussels rumour - mill ground to a halt with the
announcement of the proposed Juncker Commission.
Blears made her surprise
announcement this morning — 90 minutes before prime minister's questions and only a day before the local and
European elections — and she explained her decision in a statement virtually accusing Brown of being out of touch with the British people and their values.