Willmott backs "the best man for a senior EU job is a woman" campaign - 2009-11-18

"We definitely  need  more women at senior levels in the EU," said Glenis Wilmott supporting the campaign of the Swedish Commissioner, Margot Wallstrom, and other senior women.

Glenis Willmott, Leader of the British Labour  MEPs, said "Cathy Ashton has been an excellent Commissioner, she's very well respected here in Brussels.   

"I hope that she gets to stay on as a Commissioner, and  I think she should get a major portfolio, and so should all other women Commissioners.  Women make up half the population of Europe, after all. 

"It's also obviously right that one of the two new top posts should go to a Socialist, and as a British Socialist, I have  supported Tony Blair as President of the Council of Ministers since Day One. He is a pro-European whose talent and experience puts him head and shoulders above all the other names in the frame.

"It will not be good for Europe if both the new top jobs go to non-entity politicians who cannot command the world stage.

"Ideally, I would like the debate to be about who can best deliver social policies, security policies, trade policies and environment policies that will help hundreds of millions of European citizens' - not a matter of national horse trading.

 "Chairing tomorrow's meeting will be a difficult job for the Swedish Presidency as we are in uncharted waters here," she said.

› Back