The European Parliament has the responsibility of approving all nominations to the European Commission. It is one of the Parliament's few real powers - one they famously used to veto Italy's nomination of Rocco Buttiglione.
There is some debate within the Conservative Party about what to do about Gordon Brown's nomination of Baroness Ashton to replace Peter Mandelson as EU Trade Commissioner.
Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague leans to the view that the vacancy needs to be filled as soon as possible and that it is important that Britain retains the post. He fears a long, drawn-out confirmation process could damage UK interests.
On the other side of the debate a number of Tory MEPs - and the wider European People's Party - have serious doubts as to the suitability of the current Leader of the House of Lords for the post. One MEP told ConHome that suspicions have intensified after she pulled out of a press conference at which she was to be questioned on her views on trade issues.
But if Tories are worried about Baroness Ashton it could be worse. Dan Hamilton (who has previously asked if Ashton is even eligible for the position) notes that Ken Livingstone is in the frame for the future.
Ken Livingstone is not "in the frame for the future". Dan Hamilton links only to Jon Worth, but Worth was just making his own muckraking post about "Why not put forward" Ken.
Ken is not going to be European Commissioner because it would distract him from getting Boris kicked out in May 2012.
Posted by: David Boothroyd | October 09, 2008 at 17:12
Yawn to Boothroyd.
Posted by: Alan S | October 09, 2008 at 17:22
You're right David, I was only linking to Jon Worth's post about Ken being nominated for the Commission.
Whilst the Prime Minister's mental state has been a matter of debate for many bloggers, I won't join in that speculation - I wouldn't for one second suggest that even he has gone insane!!!
As for Ken "kicking out" Boris in May 2012, dream on!
Posted by: Dan Hamilton | October 09, 2008 at 17:55
Commissioners are loyal to the EU and the Commission only - not to their "mother country"; the rules are explicit on this. So, it really doesn't matter who we send - they are there to serve the EU and not the national interest. (Anyone proposing a Eurosceptic will find, however, that their nominee will be rejected.)
Posted by: Clarence | October 09, 2008 at 17:57
Is this another Tory ploy to distract the voters from the fact that Cameron refuses to pledge to repeal the Lisbon Treaty if it is ratisfied?
Posted by: Libertarian | October 09, 2008 at 20:30
Perhaps Baroness Ashton is useless but she will be joining a lot of likeminded individuals.If we have the strength to prevent her taking the post fine but if all we are doing is making a pointless gesture then it's not worth it.
Posted by: Malcolm Dunn | October 09, 2008 at 20:57
This should be linked to the much more important question of who will be the UK's Commissioner in the next EP term - we should trade support for any nomination at this stage for an assurance that there will be an interim post-June 2009 nomination which a Conservative government can change post the next election
Posted by: Mike Burnett | October 10, 2008 at 12:16
Baroness Ashton "useless" !!!! Where does Malcolm Dunn get this idea from ? She was an outstanding Leader of the House of Lords and, agree with her or not, she handled the Lisbon Treaty debate with distinction.
Posted by: Roberts | October 11, 2008 at 16:11