Sir Keir Starmer is to make his most controversial senior appointment but by naming Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US.
Lord Mandelson, 71, referred to as the “Prince of Darkness” from his days as a New Labour’s spin physician, would be the prime minister’s hyperlink to Donald Trump.
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The previous cupboard minister and Brussels commissioner is a consummate political networker and his appointment shall be seen by supporters as a masterstroke.
However he has additionally been probably the most divisive figures in British politics over a few years and his appointment shall be seen by Labour left-wingers as an act of cronyism by the PM.
Lord Mandelson needed to resign from Tony Blair’s cupboard twice, first over an undeclared financial institution mortgage after which over intervening in a passport software by a prime Indian businessman.
A plum job
The Washington position, seen as essentially the most glittering diplomatic put up within the UK authorities, is because of grow to be vacant when present ambassador Karen Pierce steps down early subsequent 12 months.
The perks of the job embody the luxurious ambassador’s residence in Massachusetts Avenue, an impressive Queen Anne mansion designed by prime architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Lord Mandelson’s appointment is the primary political somewhat than diplomatic appointment to Washington since Peter Jay, former prime minister James Callaghan’s son-in-law, in 1977.
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Mandelson alongside Tony Blair and Invoice Clinton in Northern Eire in 2000
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Sir Keir is alleged by insiders to consider he has the commerce expertise and networking skills to spice up UK pursuits within the US throughout the difficult interval of a Trump second presidency – with the prospect of tariffs looming.
Crucially, he has grow to be a detailed ally of Sir Keir’s new chief of employees, Morgan McSweeney, and is backed by International Secretary David Lammy. It’s claimed Lord Mandelson was seen within the International Workplace final week.
And considerably, Reform UK chief Nigel Farage, simply again from talks with Trump allies, has mentioned Lord Mandelson is “a very clever man” who can “master his brief” and could be “respected” by the president-elect’s group.
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The cap on a high-profile profession
His appointment shouldn’t be a complete shock. For the previous month, he has been seen by Labour insiders because the clear frontrunner on a shortlist of 4, additionally together with former international secretary David Miliband.
The others have been Baroness Ashton, additionally a former senior Brussels official, and Baroness Amos, a former worldwide growth secretary below Mr Blair.
Mr Miliband’s identify was touted by Sue Grey, Sir Keir’s now ousted chief of employees, whereas Baronesses Amos and Ashton, who’ve robust hyperlinks to the Democrats, have been seen as an excellent match if Kamala Harris had gained the presidential election.
For Lord Mandelson, the appointment is more likely to cap a high-profile political profession which started as a TV producer after which Labour’s director of communications below Neil Kinnock in 1985.
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Mandelson was a speechwriter for former Labour chief Neil Kinnock
‘A fighter, not a quitter…’
He turned MP for Hartlepool in 1992 and helped propel Mr Blair to the management of the get together after John Smith’s loss of life in 1994, a transfer that led to a bitter feud with Gordon Brown.
Then he obtained his first cupboard job, commerce and business secretary, in 1998, however was pressured to give up months later after failing to declare a house mortgage from Labour millionaire Geoffrey Robinson to his constructing society.
He bounced again as Northern Eire secretary in 1999, however was pressured to resign a second time over claims he helped businessman Srichand Hinduja with an software for UK citizenship.
When he held his seat in Hartlepool within the 2001 common election, he made a passionate and defiant victory speech during which he declared: “I’m a fighter, not a quitter.”
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Mandelson was MP for Hartlepool from 1992 till 2004
…till he was
But three years later he did give up as an MP, when he turned a commerce commissioner in Brussels, which supporters in his new put up declare gave him important expertise in commerce talks with president-elect Trump.
However in his most spectacular political comeback till now, in 2008 his previous foe Gordon Brown, by now prime minister however dealing with challenges to his management, introduced him again as enterprise secretary with a peerage.
A 12 months later Mr Brown awarded him the grand title, beforehand held by Michael Heseltine below John Main, of first secretary of state, a place he held till Labour’s election defeat in 2010.
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Mandelson was introduced again into the fold by Gordon Brown forward of the 2010 election
Blair’s well-known quote
However he was very a lot a Blairite somewhat than a soulmate of Mr Brown. And within the run-up to Sir Keir’s election victory this 12 months he was again within the fold, providing recommendation on campaigning and coverage.
Acknowledging that Mr Mandelson was a controversial and divisive determine, Mr Blair declared in 1996: “My project will be complete when the Labour Party learns to love Peter Mandelson.”
Clearly the present Labour management loves him sufficiently handy him this plum job, although many on the left of the get together shall be livid about his appointment.
