Oh Mandy
Vulpine, serpentine, duplicitous….these are just some of the adjectives which have been applied to the Prince of Darkness, Peter Mandelson. What an enigmatic figures he is, so brilliant at analysing problems and issues other than those which apply to himself.
Yet, even if not amongst Labour MPs, he is regarded with some admiration in political terms by many Conservatives on the grounds that he was central in making the Labour Party electable, a remarkable feat after so many years in the political wilderness. Personally he is charming, funny and clever.
Peter Mandelson is an enthusiastic Europhile, and in The Guardian yesterday effectively attacks Gordon Brown for his rather less fulsome views on the European Union. The Brown camp is constantly throwing out hints about the Chancellor’s dissatisfaction with much about the EU.
I am convinced that Mandy would do anything to stop Gordon from succeeding Tony and that Gordon knows this. Until Gordon, as is now very likely, succeeds this summer, the heavy hints and spats will continue, not even in code.
Unless something seismic happens to Gordon, he will in due course either seek to marginalise or decapitate Peter. Knowing this, Peter may feel he has nothing to lose. It will make for great entertainment.