And the lion shall lie down with the lamb
James Forsyth 8:39am
The most surprising piece of news in the papers this morning is that Gordon Brown is sounding Peter Mandelson out about whether he would like to serve a second term as Britain’s European Commissioner. It is, as The Times notes, a rather drastic turn around since last March when Mandelson rather tartly declared: “I don’t know whether this is going to come as a disappointment to him, but he can’t actually fire me. So like it or not, I’m afraid he will have to accept me as commissioner until November 2009. But I will not be seeking a nomination for a further term.”
It appears that the great Mandelson Brown feud is coming to an end. A Brussels source tells The Guardian, "There has been a fairly major shift in how these people interact. It is much warmer. These are two politicians who had differences over a period of many years. They are getting it together again."
If Brown does end up asking Mandelson to stay on in Brussels, it will show that he really is capable of forgiving and forgetting. But the real test for Brown is whether he is prepared to bring others of immense talent who he has fallen out with over the years into his cabinet which desperately needs strengthening.
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Max Kaye
March 10th, 2008 8:51am Report this commentHas there ever been any doubt that Brown and Mandelson are not united in their contempt for the wishes and aspirations of the British people?
dexey
March 10th, 2008 9:03am Report this comment"..others of immense talent" who are they then? Is there a labour politician of 'immense' talent?
Chuck Unsworth
March 10th, 2008 10:24am Report this commentSo, any port in a storm then. Of course one might wonder which is the port and which is berthing. This is not forgiving and forgetting, this is political expediency driven by desperation. After all, Brown has, as you indicate, lost any 'friends' that he may have had, and the current drive towards 'bonhomie' is seen to be a facade by all and sundry. But Brown does not have the courage to invite potential threats to his leadership into the Cabinet. That is the measure of his profound weakness. If he is to survive he needs some big beasts - and he has none. Indeed, who is there amongst the senior ranks of the Labour Party who has real intellectual strength and probity?
salieri
March 10th, 2008 11:40am Report this commentChuck, may I gently remind you of a clerihew: Waring and Gillow/Used to share the same pillow:/This was not from bonhomie/Merely economy. And James, that reference to "immense talent" was ironic, wasn't it? The things for which Peter Mandelson had immense talent are best not discussed among civilised people.
Dave B
March 10th, 2008 11:47am Report this comment"If Brown does end up asking Mandelson to stay on in Brussels, it will show that he really is capable of forgiving and forgetting. "
No it won't. Childish, insecure muppet that he is Mr Brown is apparently now refusing to speak to Mr Putin.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=528721&in_page_id=1770
How did this become HM Prime Minister?
salieri
March 10th, 2008 11:56am Report this commentBtw, wonderful photograph of PM. Just add the moustache and see.
Chuck Unsworth
March 10th, 2008 12:56pm Report this comment@ Salieri Hence 'berthing'. 'Bonhomie' has some interesting modern connotations, too. I leave it to your undoubtedly fertile imagination....
Dave B
March 13th, 2008 12:40pm Report this commentMore childishness from Mr Brown. It seems he refuses to acknowledge Mr Livingstone too.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/politics/threelinewhip/march2008/brownken.htm
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