The Prince is back - as is Blair-Brownery
Perhaps we should have all seen the Prince's return for his third act when Peter Lord Mandelson of ________ (Millbank? Notting Hill? Hartlepool?) gave this interview to the New Statesman.
"The reason why Gordon's speech at conference was a success was that it opened more of a window on to Gordon Brown," Mandelson says later, speaking from China. "The public want to feel a connection, a personal one, with their prime ministers. They know he has a full head of policy ideas and experience. But they also want to know more about him. These are serious times. But that doesn't mean he has to be only about policy, and he showed another side of him."
Fascinatingly, his appointment to business secretary shows the Brown-Blair fissure is still depressingly alive in government. The Mandy move will be seen as a boost to the Blairites, while Nick Brown's promotion to Chief Whip gives something to the Brownites. The reshuffle will be presented therefore as a balanced ticket to promote harmony, yet why do we have to still sing songs from the old songbook? How will it work in the medium and longer term? Both Mandelson and N Brown are big figures, neither short of enemies or slow to pick a fight.
One thing is certain, business will be pleased with the return of Mandy to his old job. By the same token, the unions - who wanted John Hutton out as Business Secretary - should have been careful what they wished for. The top jobs may remain unchanged, but this is still amounts to a relaunch.
It warms the heart to hear that Peter Mandelson is back where he belongs, because this will certainly speed Nu-Labours downhill descent to obscurity!
Posted by: Alannah Cripps | 3 Oct 2008 16:11:56
Peter Mandelson has the right intials, Keanu Reeves is a fantastic screen actor and 23 million American women can't be wrong.
Posted by: Jy | 4 Oct 2008 00:52:38
Why is he to be enobled? Why can't he fight a by-election and be an elected MP?
Posted by: Rex | 4 Oct 2008 10:56:55
It,s a damned disgrace that he,s back,all failed or disgraced mp,s seem to get on well don,t they. Where was his morals when he lied. Should have been charged with criminal fraud.
Posted by: james j mertins | 5 Oct 2008 13:27:26
Here we go again rearranging the seating on the Titanic.I seem to remember Canada was left with just two Labour MPs.What a delicious thought!
Posted by: oldskin | 6 Oct 2008 01:02:43
Hang on, why should he be charged with criminal fraud? He didn't commit an offence.
Posted by: Scrappy | 6 Oct 2008 12:36:22
Beware The Man in the Plum Cardigan.....
Posted by: Faceless Bureaucrat | 6 Oct 2008 17:23:30
This Government has now confirmed that it is morally corrupt, and should be booted out at the earliest opportunity.
Posted by: Michael | 8 Oct 2008 13:26:36
Brown has certainly lost the plot. Notwithstanding his stupidity of inviting Thatcher back to Downing St;now we have the Pol Pot medalist Mandleson back in cabinet. He is the highest ranking of hermaphrodiites in the country.So deeply in love with he is he.He also is a Quisling medaliswt for honesty.
Posted by: | 9 Oct 2008 17:30:27