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The third most powerful woman in the world after Hillary Clinton and Angela Merkel?
Cathy Ashton: Stonwall politician of the year 2006
Stonewall politician of the year is new EU foreign minister
Baroness Cathy Ashton, who was voted Stonewall's politician of the year in 2006, has been named as the European Union's high representative for foreign affairs. The appointment places her second only to Margaret Thatcher in the seniority achieved by a female British politician and arguably makes her the third most powerful woman in the world after Hillary Clinton and Angela Merkel.
Stonewall's award came during her time as the minister responsible for human rights and civil justice policy at the Department for Constitutional Affairs, and she continued her strong support for gay rights after Gordon Brown promoted her to become leader of the House of Lords in 2007.
When she was appointed as EU trade commissioner in October of last year, Ben Summerskill, Stonewall's chief executive, said: "She has been an absolutely fantastic champion of equality, particularly since she became leader of the House of Lords. It's been a privilege to work with Cathy on a range of issues and if she is as successful at building alliances in Brussels as she has been in London then she will do a very good job indeed."
In her latest role as Europe's first 'foreign minister' she will represent the policy of its 500 million citizens in its dealings with the rest of the world, but her immediate concerns will be the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme, the Middle East and Europe's difficult relations with Russia.
Ashton's spectacular rise from being a relatively junior member of the British cabinet thirteen months ago, as leader of the House of Lords, to EU trade commissioner and now promotion to the second most powerful position in Brussels, in circumstances reportedly involving horse-trading following Gordon Brown's failure to have Tony Blair selected as EU president, has raised criticisms that she is not experienced enough for the job.
But on Radio 4's Today programme, Ashton, 53, said: "Over the next few months and years I aim to show that I am the best person for the job. I think for quite a few people they would say that I am the best person for the job and I was chosen because I am, but I absolutely recognise there are a number of candidates around, all of whom would have been extremely good, extremely able. I hope that my particular set of skills will show that in the end I am the best choice."
