Mandelson papers could have been even more embarrassing for the Government
The second tranche of Mandelson papers had the potential to further damage Sir Keir Starmer’s already diminishing authority as Prime Minister. However, the PM and his inner circle can breathe a sigh of relief that embarrassment from the latest revelations was limited.
That still does not excuse Starmer’s lack of judgement in appointing Lord Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the US in the first place.
Mandelson’s assertion that the Government would “never regret” appointing him shows the hubris that has come to characterise the peer.
The fact that Mandelson also apparently “declined to comply” with a request to hand over his personal phone and allow the Government to publish WhatsApp messages and other information related to his appointment shows that he does not belong anywhere near frontline politics.
This is the same Mandelson who was twice forced to quit government posts during the New Labour era, each time under a cloud of controversy. This should be one controversy too far.
As for the current Government, the only way that it is going to pub the spectre of Mandelson behind it is by coming up with fresh ideas to tackle the challenges that Britain faces today, not rehashing the New Labour years.
A lot has happened since the Mandelson scandal first erupted. However, part of the reason why Labour was so badly bruised at the local elections. Trust has evaporated in Labour.
One of the revelations in the papers is Mandelson questioning Starmer and the Government’s lack of plan. He says “The mantra is Plan for Change. But what is the Plan?”
That ought to focus Government minds on getting on with the business of policymaking. Only then can Starmer salvage his leadership.