Next summer, David Cameron faces a tough decision: who to choose as the United Kingdom’s next nominee to the European Commission.
The opinion polls suggest that the choice will follow a defeat for the Conservatives – possibly into third place, behind the UK Independence Party (Ukip) and the Labour Party – in the European Parliament elections. In those circumstances, Tory MPs, many fearing for their jobs at the next general election in less than twelve months’ time, will want a sharp turn to the right.
Read our full profiles of the potential nominees for the Commission from the United Kingdom
Here’s five things Cameron will have to consider when picking a nominee: