Mandelson EU Trade Commisioner ?

Peter Mandelson may not spend very much time in his office in Brussels when he is appointed as the UK's Commissioner. Apparently the soon to be ex Hartlepool MP is a front runner for the key post of European Union Trade Commissioner, a role which could elevate his status to that of global power broker within a year.

The Sunday Times reported that the job was offered to Mr Mandelson when he met Jose Barroso, the newly elected Commission President in Lisbon two weeks ago. Diplomats have confirmed that Mandleson is being briefed by the Foreign Office on the details of the role of Trade Commissioner. Should this appointment not come Mandelson's way then, as is the system in the EU Commission, a deal will be struck and he will likely be offered the post of Internal Market Commissioner.

Either way he is likely to spend a lot of time travelling and little time representing the UK in the EU. Is that a good or a bad ?