As anniversaries go, it’s a fairly ignominious one. But it’s still worth noting that Peter Mandelson’s first resignation from the Cabinet – over a home loan from the then Paymaster General, Geoffrey Robinson – took place exactly ten years ago today. For posterity’s sake, here’s The Spectator‘s leader column on the matter (from the issue dated 2 January):
“This page can claim to have been prescient about Mr Mandelson. Our 9 August 1997 issue had a leader headed: `Go, and spin no more.’
`Until election day, 1 May, Mr Mandelson’s problem was Labour,’ it began. `On 1 May, Mr Mandelson served his primary purpose. He got Labour elected. Since then, he has become something of a bar to getting it re-elected.’
Mr Mandelson was then Minister without Portfolio. He had hardly anything to do except spin. We commented that we did not believe Mr Mandelson’s talents were confined to spinning.
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