When did Mandelson change his mind about Brown?
James Forsyth 12:28pm
I don’t think anyone disputes that Mandelson used to not have a very high opinion of Brown’s premiership. As Danny blogged on Sunday, the Corfu story was in circulation before Mandelson’s shock return but not considered particularly surprising by anybody. But if Kevin Maguire is to be believed, Mandelson was still sticking the knife into Brown only ten days before returning to the Cabinet:
Treason is a matter of dates and all that but one wonders how recently Mandelson stopped trashing Brown. Anyway, Mandelson has already proved a unifying force in British politics in at least one respect--who would have thought that Kevin Maguire and George Osborne would find themselves pursuing the same objective?“I heard an intriguing tale during Labour's conference in Manchester.After Brown's acclaimed speech a TV crew asked Mandy for a comment. The then Euro Commissioner continued walking straight ahead, lips sealed.
About an hour later Mandy bumped into the same crew. "Did you get what you want?" he asked.
The sneer was clear - Mandy didn't think much of Brown's speech.”
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Comments
Mike, Brighton
October 6th, 2008 12:35pmThe entertainment factor is high. All the media will go to huge lengths to split Mandy from Brown, obtain disobliging quotes, probe Mandy's murky finances and otherwise cause mischief.
I'm hoping that the reports are true and Blunkett will be brought back. Now that will be *really* entertaining.
Popcorn anyone...
Faceless Bureaucrat
October 6th, 2008 12:52pmNot sure this is entirely a GB stunt - lots to be said for the EUSSR having one of their own at the heart of government when there is a danger that Labour could lose the next GE. He was able to duck out of his Trade Commissioner's role with such ease, one might suspect that a lot of forward planning had gone into this in Brussels prior to the event...
luke
October 6th, 2008 1:28pmDid anyone see the wonderful mandelson response to the claims that he told George Osbourne how crap he thought Brown was?
Basically he said - "I know it cant be George disclosing the contents of our private conversations, because Im sure George wouldnt want me to disclose the things he said in the same conversation about his colleagues"
Now THAT is mandelson through and through :)
TrevorsDen
October 6th, 2008 1:36pmI cannot really believe it - again !
The story is not Mandy - its the sinking economic Titanic on which we are all helpless passengers. Its a mathematical certainty we will sink - forming a committee to discuss it is not going to stop it.
Just who is the owner who told the gullible captain to sail on at full steam ahead through the swirling sea of hidden special purpose vehicles?
The story is Brown and his incompetence. Brown Brown Brown.
This is HIS mess.
Bruce, UK
October 6th, 2008 1:42pmHow can Mandelson possibly act as an honest (I know, I know) broker on behalf of the UK with the EU given the conditions imposed by the EU on the receipt of those receiving an EU pension?
Searcher
October 6th, 2008 2:48pmThere's George Osborne. There's Trevor Kavanagh. And now here's Kevin McGuire. Is there anyone out there who does not have a "Mandy hates Gordo" story?
Dalesman
October 6th, 2008 3:08pmThe answer to the headline question is.....when he got so desperate he didn't know what else to do.
Despatches from Gordon's Bunker
October 6th, 2008 3:37pmMandy still despises Brown. I think Faceless Bureaucrat has it right. He has been sent there for a reason by the puppeteers running the show.
The Laughing Cavalier
October 6th, 2008 3:42pmWhen he was offered a peerage. For MiLord Mandelson's new coat of arms I suggest Crest: a spinning top on a bed of roses and €100 notes entwined by a serpent. Motto: "Myself I serve". Anyone got any ideas for the Shield?
Ken
October 6th, 2008 3:59pmHear hear, Trevors Den - Mandelson is a diversion, no more boom or bust Brown is the target. Bang on about Brown, focus on pension stealer Brown , gold dumper Brown, bubble Brown, lest voters forget why the world as we know it, is coming to an end. And while we are about it remember Bill Clinton started the rot: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122298982558700341.html
Can the two deadbeats be related?
sammylee
October 6th, 2008 4:02pmCome on MANDY - we want to hear what osbourne said about HIS colleagues as well. Lets get it all out there!
"We talked as much about his colleagues, and the state of the Tory party, as we did about the Labour party," he warned. "I would no sooner talk in public about what he said to me about his colleagues as I hope he would about what I said about my colleagues, but I can assure you there is no poison being dripped anywhere."
Nicholas
October 6th, 2008 4:58pmMandelson's shield? Carnation, a bend sinister argent charged with a heart sable. The field charged above and below with a forked tongue natural.
TGF UKIP
October 6th, 2008 7:00pmAh, Nicholas, it's the way you tell em!
TGF UKIP
October 6th, 2008 7:00pmAh, Nicholas, it's the way you tell em!
mac
October 6th, 2008 7:07pm"When did Mandelson change his mind about Brown?" Er . . ain't happened, won't happen, whatever's spun to the contrary.
Hysteria
October 6th, 2008 10:24pm@ken
so now we have the BBB to compete with the BBC
Bubbler Bottler Brown !!!!