Peter Mandelson, the influential British politician and former European Commissioner, played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of European politics and policy through his advocacy for economic integration and globalization. As a key architect of New Labour and a staunch supporter of European cooperation, Mandelson's efforts to promote unity and prosperity across the continent have earned him widespread recognition and respect.

"For too long, decisions have been taken behind closed doors - tablets of stone have simply been past down to people without bothering to involve people, listen to their views or give them information about what we are doing and why."



"If the constitutional treaty is rejected it will be back to square one, just at a time when we want Europe to be a more effective force for good in the world, when we need to buttress ourselves against the pressures and insecurities of globalization."



"I hesitated, too, because for better or worse, I have been one of the principal architects of New Labour and I have worked closely with Tony Blair and the team for nearly 20 years."



"The last thing we need is to turn in on ourselves rather than face us up to what we have to do in the world."



"Essentially we need a new social consensus for economic reform as New Labour has achieved in Britain."



"Europe has to address people's needs directly and reflect their priorities, not our own preoccupations."



"It's a very good idea that we have a third term Labour government led by Tony Blair for a full term."



"I'm optimistic that we are actually seeing the opportunity of a generation being created in this."



"Instead of saying that globalization is a fact, that it's inevitable, we've also got to demonstrate that while the growing interdependence of the world economy is indeed a fact, it's not uncontrollable."



"We've got to demonstrate why European unity and integration, our vast single market, our single currency, equip us with the strength to embrace globalization."



"In my experience of these things, parties which shout about dirty tricks and the like tend to do so because they fear a direct hit in some vulnerable part of their political anatomy."

