Mandelson back from the wilderness

Friday, 23 July 2004 12:00 AM

Peter Mandelson has made a comeback to frontline politics with the official announcement that he will become the UK's European Commissioner.

The announcement had been much anticipated, despite Tony Blair's refusal to confirm the appointment during the week.

Chris Patten and Neil Kinnock, the UK's current commissioners, are both stepping down from their positions. Due to the enlargement of the EU, the UK will now have only one commissioner.

In a brief written statement the Prime Minister said: "The job of European Commissioner is a vitally important position for this country. Europe is Britain's best economic market. How Europe develops, especially a Europe of 25, will be crucial for the future of Britain.

"This is why we need the very best person representing Britain in Europe and Peter Mandelson has the skills, ability and contacts in Europe to make a great success of it."

It is an astonishing political comeback for Peter Mandelson who was twice forced to resign from the Cabinet.

Mr Mandelson is one of the leading proponents of New Labour, having been director of communications of the Labour Party during the restructuring period of the early 1990s. He resigned this position to fight the 1992 general election when he became MP for Hartlepool, though he retained a close interest in the Labour Party's media image.

In 1994, following the untimely death of John Smith, Mr Mandelson was instrumental in ensuring that Tony Blair was elected leader of the Labour Party.

He was swiftly rewarded for his help, and in 1997 became Minister without Portfolio with troubleshooting responsibilities. In 1998 he was forced to resign following revelations of an undisclosed loan from then Paymaster General Geoffrey Robinson.

In 1999 he was reappointed to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. However, in 2001 he resigned for the second time after newspaper allegations that he had improperly intervened in an attempt by the Hinduja brothers to apply for British passports. Mr Mandelson was subsequently cleared of any misdoing.

Mr Mandelson is widely seen as a pro-European figure and even his many political enemies admit he is an intelligent and shrewd political operator.

His appointment is likely to be highly controversial both among Labour MPs and the wider political community. His move to Europe will also mean a tricky by-election for the Labour Party. Mr Mandelson's majority is currently 14,000 but following the sharp drop in support in Birmingham Hodge Hill and Leicester South the party will not be complacent.

Commenting on the appointment, Jonathan Evans, the leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament, said: "This appointment shows that the Prime Minister has paid no attention to the results of the European elections.

"Instead of appointing someone who would put Britain first, he has appointed Peter Mandelson, a man who is only interested in putting Peter Mandelson first. Even in the Labour Party, this man has little support, and it is difficult to see how he can successfully defend Britain's interests."

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