Baroness Ashton is the Brit most likely to bag a top EU job
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – From chair of Hertfordshire Health Authority to the voice of Europe in eight years flat?
There would have been few political career trajectories to match it! But that could turn out to be the story of Baroness (Cathy) Ashton, former Labour Leader in the Lords, if things pan out as some hope tonight.
Gordon Brown appears to have dropped the Blair candidacy for president in return for a Brit in the foreign affairs job. And what a job.
A paper from the Swedes who hold the EU Presidency issued yesterday made it clear that they thought the foreign affairs rep would have THE single voice on foreign affairs for the EU.
Cathy Ashton succeeded Peter Mandelson as trade commissioner – his influence is everywhere! – and has, it is said, hugely impressed the EU Commission President Manuel Barroso.
She is, it is worth mentioning, a woman, and the EU has been woefully short of them in top offices for some time. This could all change… there are other pieces of the jigsaw that must fit in with it.
Van Rompuy could, I hear, make way for Balkenende. But Cathy Ashton is now the nominee for the high rep job of the socialist group and stands a good chance.
Tony Blair’s hopes of a job are officially dead but by staying a (non) candidate this long he may have helped the UK secure this other job.
Related: Will you be the President of Europe, Gordon?
Carving up the top EU jobs – should you care?
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