Tony Blair wants Britain's next Brussels commissioner to be given the job of promoting economic reform across Europe.

A senior Downing Street official said that after Chris Patten's current role in charge of external relations and Neil Kinnock's responsibility for internal reform, Britain was due a powerful economic job.

"We would like economic reform or the single market or trade. That is what we are after," they are reported as saying.

Opposition to Peter Mandelson taking the role has, says the Telegraph, meant that former foreign secretary Robin Cook, and defence secretary Geoff Hoon, are now in the frame.