Peter Mandelson has vowed to reject the use of "spin" when he takes up his new post as a European commissioner.

The former Cabinet minister is set to be grilled by members of the European parliament's international trade committee next Monday, where he faces a confirmation grilling by MEPs.

Ahead of that appearance, Mandelson has been answering written questions from parliamentarians on how he will approach his role as trade commissioner.

In a series of detailed answers, the former MP says his experiences have taught him that "effective communication is not about 'spin'".

And he also hints at a role in the referendum debate on whether to adopt the new European Union constitution, though he says he has no plans to do the job national governments should be doing themselves.

A key concern for MEPs is improving the image of the commission among the continent's public.

"The commission's public image will improve the more it demonstrates the relevance of what it does for the ordinary lives of Europe's citizens and in particular their prosperity and security," Mandelson says in one answer.

"Effective communication is not about 'spin': it is about making sure in the first place that the commission has sensible, well thought through policies that address real practical needs.

"The task of communication is to tell a credible story about how those policies are part of a clear and coherent strategy for solving those problems.

"I say this from the depth of my own political experience in the creation of New Labour. Of course, good presentation matters. But unless the substance is right, and the detailed policies underlying it add up, presentation cannot make up for weaknesses of substance."

Referendum role?

A UK vote on the adoption of the new EU constitution is expected next autumn, and Mandelson hints there could be a role for him and the commission in "informing" the public of its implications.

"It is a task for the national governments, who signed the constitution, to bring this process to a successful conclusion – and I do not think it is right for the commissioner from any member state to attempt to do the job for them," he writes.

"That being said, I want to emphasise that I am a strong supporter of the constitutional treaty.

"As for the commission's role, it is part of our duties to inform the public on all aspects of European integration.

"In that framework, the commission should certainly also inform citizens on what the constitution means, without any undue interference in the national debates - but that must be done in a clear, impartial and objective way."

Mandelson adds that he has been a committed pro-European "all my political life".

"This has not always been easy, particularly when my own party took a very different view," he says.

"It was not easy to be a pro-European in the Labour Party of the late 1970s and early 1980s when I was first trying to make my way.

"But from my first political engagement as a student in Young European Left, I can honestly say I have never wavered in this commitment."

Blair links

Despite being widely seen as a close ally of the prime minister, the trade commissioner-designate insists there will be no special favours for the British government.

"I know there will always be some suspicion of someone who has been so close to the centre of their national government that they will find this obligation difficult to adhere to in practice, particularly perhaps in the case of the UK where as a country, our relations with the EU and the commission have not always been good in the past," he accepts.

"I want to assure you that I am deeply conscious of this and am crystal clear where my obligations now lie."

Mandelson adds that while national experiences and political affiliation will "to some extent" shape the views of all commissioners, "I am my own man".

Declaration of interests

Mandelson, who was twice forced to resign from Tony Blair's Cabinet, appears determined to learn from past mistakes.

"Since accepting nomination as commissioner designate, I have resigned from all bodies and positions from which I have received payment," he says.

"I intend to remain as unpaid chairman of the board of [think tank] Policy Network but not to play any active part in its day to day management."

His experiences in the UK government also offer other lessons, writes Mandelson.

"Although my experience as a minister was shorter than I would have wished (for a set of unfortunate reasons I am happy to explain and for which successive inquiries cleared me of any wrongdoing), it will prove of great value in my new role.

"As secretary of state for trade and industry I led a wide-ranging view of industrial policy that led to the publication of a major white paper on competitiveness in December 1998.

"As secretary of state for Northern Ireland I honed my negotiating skills in one of the most difficult communal conflicts within the EU and took forward the radical reform of policing under the Good Friday agreement."

Trade reform

As trade commissioner, Mandelson takes on one of the most important roles in the European commission.

He will be responsible for overseeing World Trade Organisation negotiations under the Doha development agenda.

"My broad goal will be to ensure that trade policy contributes to growth, employment and competitiveness in Europe, and promotes sustainable development, social justice and growth in other parts of the world - demonstrating that developing countries benefit from trade liberalisation," he says.

"I shall work to reinforce the multilateral trading system, of which I am a firm supporter.

"I shall also work to develop our engagement with parliamentarians, NGOs and other representatives of civil society on trade issues."

Completing the Doha round of talks is his "foremost objective", he says.

"I shall devote much time and energy in the months ahead to the earliest possible conclusion of the Doha development agenda, but I will not sacrifice substance to gain speed."