Right-wing bloggers did not even try to disguise their glee.
The reported return of Peter Mandelson, the “Prince of Darkness”, to the Labour government smacked of a flight to spin, they said.
Gordon Brown, facing economic and financial crisis as well as poor poll ratings, has been shaken into turning to the once fear-inspiring maestro of party tactics.
“The Labour spin on this reshuffle is that the Tories will be ‘nervous’ about this reshuffle and will be terrified by Mandelson. You’ve got to laugh, haven’t you?” said Iain Dale in his blog.
Quoting a Labour figure who described the move as a “masterstroke”, Dale wrote: “I wonder if the electorate will be as welcoming of the appointment.”
Mandelson has been a Cabinet minister twice, and resigned twice, during Tony Blair’s premiership, and most recently was the EU trade commissioner.
A loyal Blairite, he and Brown rarely saw eye-to-eye. When Brown took over from Blair, he signalled an end to the spin which had come to be seen by many to characterise his predecessor’s tenure, believing the electorate had become weary of the glitz.
“Whatever happened to an ‘End to Spin’,” Guido Fawkes, another high-profile right-wing blogger, asked.
“New Labour lives!” he exclaimed.
With a cheeky aside, he added: “Am beginning to think that Brown has been quite clever, with the return of Mandelson, he will no longer be the public’s most hated Labour politician. This is going to be more fun than an Irish wake.”
Comments on the website LibDemBlogs also pointed to the prospects of a reawakening of spin.
“Last year Gordon Brown promised an end to spin. This year he brings Peter Mandelson back into government. That is all you need to know about the bankruptcy of Brown’s government,” Bernard Salmon wrote.
A Lanson Boy wrote on the site: “By bringing in the likes of Mandelson he (Brown) is aiming to show that even the Blairites could do no better.”
Left-wing bloggers seemed a bit dazed by the appointment, but they could not help hinting at back-room deals.
Recess Monkey blog observed that Mandelson’s appointment came shortly after his acolyte Derek Draper had a meeting with the prime minister.
“Draper … is left alone in a room with the Prime Minister. Soon after, the PM ennobles mandelson and invites him into Cabinet,” he wrote.
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5 comments so far
Have to agree with the general feelings of disbelief and hilarity,
Brown couldn’t really do anything more to ensure that Labour loses the next election, so thumbs up to that.
The only fear now is just how much more damage these people will inflict on the country before they’re finally booted out.
- Posted by PeterUnelected monkey brings in unelected gorilla. Result, chimps tea party.
- Posted by NickMorally corrupt, Brown has now with certainty scotched his chances of a Labour win at the next General Election, with his re-employment of Mr Mandelson.
- Posted by Jim xxxxI think we can assume that Mandy knew what he was doing and achieved some kind of symbiosis with his past guilt, obvious rehabilitation and his strident ability to acquire experience and good works by current opinion.
That said, people DO learn from their mistakes and on that basis I have given Mandy a break. I am funny like that!
I DO think Gordon made a brave decision as well as a pragmatic and practical one.
No one in my mind is better suited and experienced to be at the helm of the UK to help get the country out of the financial storm the world is experiencing.
Indeed, my confidence is such that I feel assured that Gordon with the aid of some choice brains, will save us all. Yes - I am for real.
Call me an idiotic buffoon, if you like, but, frankly, I do not give a damn.
I do not hope, I make judgements based on available data snd Mr Brown is the best man available for the job - period!
In essence, I think we are damned lucky he is here at this time and I have NO confodence in Clegg or Cameron with regard to their economic prowess - despite their eye candy appeal.
- Posted by TheTruthIs...Short the Footsie.
Mandy will make you rich.
- Posted by Andy