Mandelson and the trough

[Tankus]

Mandelson gives Blair 'plan' to win top EU job

By Melissa Kite, Deputy Political Editor

(Filed: 06/06/2004) Sunday Telegraph

Peter Mandelson has given Tony Blair a detailed plan for winning a by-election in his Hartlepool constituency as he tries to secure the job of European Commissioner. 

The former Northern Ireland Secretary has been told by Mr Blair that the main problem in appointing him to succeed Neil Kinnock as one of two British commissioners in Brussels is that it would create a third by-election for Labour this summer.

In an attempt to convince the Prime Minister, Mr Mandelson has formulated plans for a new "super Thursday" ballot on July 22, in which all three by-elections would be held together.

The by-election plan, the existence of which was disclosed by a senior Cabinet member, is the latest effort by Mr Mandelson to gain the coveted European role and secure a controversial, political comeback.

Labour MPs say that Mr Mandelson has "done the rounds" of all the principal European embassies in London this year giving speeches on his personal vision for Europe.

Mr Mandelson, who was twice forced to resign from the Government, has drawn up a blueprint, which he has submitted to Mr Blair, to stage all three by-elections on July 22, the day the Commons rises for the summer recess.

Labour is already facing by-elections in Leicester South, following the death of Jim Marshall last month, and in Birmingham Hodge Hill, where Terry Davis is poised to resign if, as expected, he becomes secretary general of the Council of Europe in elections on June 22.

Both contests are likely to prove difficult for Labour, partly because of a possible backlash from Asian voters unhappy about the war in Iraq.

In Leicester South, the Liberal Democrat challenge is particularly feared. A third by-election would be required in Hartlepool if Mr Blair decided to appoint Mr Mandelson to the post of European Commissioner.

The job must be filled before October when Mr Kinnock, the current incumbent, leaves. The job carries a salary of £163,453 a year, a £24,000 a year housekeeping allowance and a £7,000 entertainment budget.

It had been thought that Mr Mandelson would not get the job because he was too great a political risk. Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, and Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, strongly oppose his appointment, preferring instead Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary.

One Cabinet minister said yesterday: "Mandelson is desperate to get the job, but will Tony Blair give it to him? I think he would like to if he could, but does he feel he can? Does he think he can get away with it, that is the big question."

I printed this story in full as its a registration site

This is the sort of thing that really annoys me over the EEC , Its a gravy train dumping ground for political leftovers .......

B'liar is looking and pushing for the EU presidency as a get out clause from UK politics because he is ineffective .....It seems to be easier to take the country into a war...than solve the health/transport/education system ....Weird isn't it ...?

I hope that the French and Germans do block his move ....But I can see B'liar pushing it , as a way of greasing his entry up the Brussels backside , as he will have a pet monkey already on the inside .

[catgate]

It's the same old story. As in sewage so in politics. The scum always rises to the top. It's not too bad for them though because, after living in the lap of luxury and ruining the lifes of millions others, when they die they are acclaimed as very worthy and are "well thought of". It is a very strange thing how death can alter a person!!

[andsome]

It's the same old story. As in sewage so in politics. The scum always rises to the top. It's not too bad for them though because, after living  in the lap of luxury and ruining the lifes of millions others, when they die they are acclaimed as very worthy and are "well thought of". It is a very strange thing how death can alter a person!!

100% with the views expressed so far

[catgate]

Would there not be a better opening for him? Send him to Iraq with a detachment of suicide bummers.