I would like to congratulate Baroness Ashton on her appointment as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. I actually think that this is the best case scenario for Britain - I think David Milliband would have made more of the position than he needed to. I'm sure Cathy Ashton will perform her role admirably.
It does bother me though that Lady Ashton rose to such power through questionable circumstances. She was made a life peer in 1999, after a career including with the Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament, management consultancies, and as a freelance policy adviser.
After being made a peer, Ashton became the minister responsible for the "Sure Start" programme, and the on to become the Leader of the House of Lords. It was in this role that Ashton helped push through the Lisbon Treaty - which created the roles of High Representative and President - despite popular opinion and a broken promise by Gordon Brown to hold a referendum on the treaty.
One can't help feeling that this unelected former quangocrat has been rewarded for her efforts.
