Wow, I seem to be agreeing with Mandelson. Hardly surprising, apart from all the sleeze rows, I have the feeling he is the most competent politician working out of Brussels:

Striking a different tone from European Commission President Jos? Manuel Barroso, Mandelson appears to be suggesting a ?plan B?.

He argues that should the French ?non? be an obstacle to the EU constitution Europe should seek a ?new consensus?.

EU leaders could set out a vision of Europe?s policy direction and then draw up a fresh institutional blueprint.

?I think that consensus on the centre ground is there to be mobilised. One that rejects the populism of left and right,? he said.

Mandelson noted that future ratifications ? including a British vote ? would depend on whether the EU constitution was still viable.

?There will be a period of reflection,? he said early on Monday morning.

?If there is a constitutional treaty to ratify, I am confident it will be put to British people in a referendum.?