Peter Mandelson, our fault??
Andy Klom of the European Commission hosted a buffet lunch today for Commissioner Peter Mandelson.
As I strongly suspected, Peter Mandelson when he arrives and circulates is all charm and bonhomie. Apparently he was brought into politics by the Brecon and Radnor by-election in the mid 1980s – so it is our fault!
I have a very interesting talk with him about West Hartlepool where I lived as a young child. In fact my brother was born in West Hartlepool. We also, of course, talk about Europe and the importance of a wider Europe and I am pleased that he is signed up to a wider membership of the European Union.
I believe that our membership of the EU is of vital importance when we tackle issues like the shortage of energy resources and problems of global security and also issues of world trade. I think the alternative of strategic alliances with Iceland, Norway and Switzerland is unlikely to be of terrific assistance to us as a country!
