EU/Mandelson appointment: On a spring evening in Lisbon Tony Blair set in motion the events that led to yesterday's appointment of Peter Mandelson as one of the EU's senior political figures.
Over dinner in the ornate splendour of the Pestana Palace Hotel he told José Manuel Barroso that he would be delighted to see him become president of the European Commission.
As he flew off in the early hours of the following morning for his historic "tent" summit with Col Muammar Gadafy, the Prime Minister had no idea that his closest political ally would land one of the most significant EU jobs five months later.
"It is one of the most important posts in the new commission," Mr Denis MacShane, the UK's Europe minister said. "The anti-Europeans in London do not understand the extent to which Britain is seen as a major European nation again after the years of Tory isolationism."
The former trade commissioner, Lord Brittan, who, like Mr Mandelson, served as trade and industry secretary before moving to Brussels, said: "Frankly it is more important than most cabinet jobs. You are negotiating on behalf of the EU with the US, Japan, China and the WTO."
Such a prominent post, involving a lot of travel, will force Mr Mandelson to make a decisive break with British politics, at least for the next five years.
In the run-up to next year's general election, when Mr Blair would be expected to turn to his old friend for candid political advice, Mr Mandelson will be immersed in trade negotiations.
Mr Mandelson is delighted to have secured the trade portfolio, with international competitiveness thrown in for good measure, which will force him to forge a political identity in his own right.
In Brussels and the world capitals where he will negotiate Europe's trade deals Mr Mandelson's closeness to Mr Blair will still count. But it will not be enough on its own, and he will need to establish new alliances.- (Guardian Service)