Mandelson’s Return

Who would have thought it? The expected “minor reshuffle” developed into the one of the most headline-grabbing reshuffles that you’re ever likely to see, and all thanks to Peter Mandelson’s astonishing return to cabinet. Mr. Mandelson twice resigned from cabinet posts under Tony Blair’s leadership – once over a loan from ministerial colleague Geoffrey Robinson and once over allegations of misconduct regarding a passport application for the Hinduja brothers. After this humiliation he was sent to Brussels in 2004 to become the EU trade commissioner. His appointment as the new business secretary was met with both praise and disappointment by sections of the Labour party. The Prime Minister said he brought Mandelson back into the cabinet because he needed ‘serious people for serious times’ and it was in the ‘national interest’ to bring in Mandelson because of his experience in global trade. Pressed on his 14 year feud with Mandelson, said to stem from Mandelson’s backing for Mr. Blair as Labour leader in the 1990s, the Prime Minister said: “Whatever the ups and downs have been in the past, everybody has got to come together and make sure that as a nation we come through this successfully.” However, some backbenchers have already denounced his appointment. Labour MP John McDonnell said: “This is an extraordinary step backwards into the worst elements of the Blair era, to reinstate possibly the most divisive figure in Labour’s recent history.” This is a huge gamble for Brown – perhaps the biggest of his political career. If the two can be seen to have put aside their differences and work together it could provide a boost for Brown’s flagging leadership. However, Mandelson could become a rallying point for disillusioned Blairite’s which could instigate the PM’s downfall. Labour are saying that their opponents are fearful of Mandelson’s political skills which have saved Labour many times. That is true, and he did so brilliantly, but that was then. Subsequently the sort of politics that he has come to personify have been discredited. Mandelson is not a popular politician in the country, however good he might be at internal party strategy. But could this be, as Mandelson said, his “third time lucky?”

James Deighton

Tags: Peter Mandelson