Politics | 11 October 2008

Gordon Brown’s critics are confused. For months they have been accusing him of dithering, of timidity, of being unable to make the bold moves that are needed if his government is to get a grip on the unfolding problems in the financial sector and, now, in the economy as a whole.

Now that he has shown more than a bit of both decisiveness and courage by bringing Peter Mandelson back from what most fair-minded people recognise is a credible stint as European trade commissioner, the critics have shifted gears. Mandelson is not the man to help craft policies with which to fight the emerging economic crisis because… well, because he is Peter Mandelson. Twice forced to resign ministerial positions, the first time for financial indiscretions related to his taste for the high life, the second because Tony Blair was too nervous to wait for the exoneration that came after a careful investigation.