David Miliband in position for top Euro job

Oct 31 2009 by William Green, The Journal

SOUTH Shields MP David Miliband is a "prime candidate" to become Foreign Minister of Europe, a senior Labour figure in the North East says.

North East Euro-MP Stephen Hughes said he would put money on the Foreign Secretary taking the job being created under the Lisbon Treaty, which could be ratified within weeks.

But he claimed Tony Blair would not become the “president” of Europe, with the leaders of France and Germany opposed to him.

Mr Hughes, deputy leader of the socialist group in the European Parliament, revealed Mr Miliband had been coy about putting his name forward.

But he was glad Mr Miliband had allowed his name to go forward after reports yesterday that his name was on a shortlist compiled by the Party of European Socialists.

Mr Miliband has insisted he is not a candidate and not available – but notably failed to categorically rule himself out as a candidate for the European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs.

Provided the Lisbon Treaty is passed, a special summit could be held next month and open the door to Mr Miliband heading to Brussels.

And that could leave Prime Minister Gordon Brown facing a potentially difficult by-election in South Shields, just months before the General Election.

Mr Hughes said: “We were approaching David Miliband a week ago and would he be willing to put his name forward. At that time he was being a bit coy. He was being reluctant because the full focus was on trying to get Tony Blair the position of the president of the council.

“It is now clear there is no prospect of Tony Blair getting the presidency of the council. I am glad that David Miliband has allowed his name to go forward for the position of high representative.

“I would put my money on David Miliband. He has an outstanding reputation in Brussels and he is regarded as a very safe pair of hands on the world stage.”

Mr Miliband is to visit Russia next week in the first such trip by a British foreign secretary for five years.