Andrew Duff says Mandelson will be a successful Commissioner if he stands up to Blair

12.14.28pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 23rd Jul 2004

Reacting to the nomination of Peter Mandelson as British Commissioner, Andrew Duff MEP said:

"Peter Mandelson's appointment is high risk yet full of potential.

"In September, Mr Mandelson and his fellow candidates will be grilled by the European Parliament before we vote to accept or reject the whole Barroso Commission.

"As the British Commissioner will be playing an inevitably prominent part in the UK's forthcoming referendum campaign on the EU Constitution, it is vital that Mr Mandelson gets to understand, explain and justify the constitutional package. To date, no UK government representative has been a success in either comprehending what is really involved in the constitutional negotiations or in explaining their outcome. Mr Mandelson has a chance to redeem the tarnished reputation of Britain in Europe.

"I know Peter Mandelson has a strong European vocation. He has the administrative and networking skills to be a good Member of the Commission. But we will be looking for signs that he really understands the need for the Commission to stand up to the heads of government and to exercise the independence necessary to find and articulate the common European interest. Often this will mean having to support Jose Manual Barroso against Tony Blair. Can Peter Mandelson do this?

"The new Constitution, which Mr Blair finds so difficult to talk about openly, builds a stronger Europe capable of standing up to the United States. The UK has to decide whether it wants to be a modern European country, committed to integration, or not. Peter Mandelson will have to be in the forefront of those who argue the case for more Europe with a clarity and purpose that no other Labour politician has reached.

"I look forward to the challenge of working with Mr Mandelson to see that the Constitution wins the acceptance of the British people."

ENDS/...

Editors' Note: Andrew Duff was yesterday appointed spokesman for constitutional affairs for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE).