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Lord Mandelson makes grab for levers of power
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor21.07.09
Lord Mandelson's dominance over the Government was revealed today as it emerged that Gordon Brown has handed him unprecedented influence.
Downing Street said the Business Secretary, who also has the title of First Secretary of State, is now a member of no fewer than 35 key Cabinet committees.
The move means that Lord Mandelson has an input on policy on everything from swine flu to climate change, from the economy to Afghanistan, from the Olympics to crime.
Together with his unofficial role as a daily adviser to Mr Brown and his huge Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, the peer's new roles mean that he is effectively deputy prime minister in all but name.
But unlike John Prescott or Michael Heseltine, Lord Mandelson's roles extend across huge areas of government activity, a fact that will be underlined when he takes over while Mr Brown is on holiday this summer.
Conservative Party chairman Eric Pickles said: “It is quite obvious that Peter Mandelson is the real unelected prime minister pulling the strings from No 10.
“He is Gordon Brown's political life support machine, keeping the plotters at bay. He sadly typifies the Prime Minister's unhealthy reliance on unelected officials.” Lord Mandelson's influence is seen by MPs as a reward for the key role he played in foiling the attempt to topple the Prime Minister. He is believed to have persuaded ministers such as Foreign Secretary David Miliband to stay in post and get behind Mr Brown for one last time.
His expanding remit has recently prompted speculation that he could become a potential Labour leader next year if he decides to quit as a peer and run as an MP again.
Lord Mandelson is a member of 80 per cent of the 43 Cabinet committees and sub-committees. Mr Prescott never attended more than 17 Cabinet committees.
But Lord Mandelson is relied on by Mr Brown to act as his cross-Whitehall troubleshooter, often deputising for him on key subjects.
The peer is deputy chairman of the crucial Domestic Policy Committee and chairs the Post Office network sub-committee.
He also sits on Cabinet committees covering Africa, children and schools, local government, security, housing, food, energy and trade.
Lord Mandelson was handed his new title of First Secretary of State in the reshuffle last month. He was also give a new, expanded department of Business, Innovation and Skills, which boasts the largest number of ministers in Whitehall. He has 11 ministers who report to him on everything from trade to universities and manufacturing.
Along with Ed Balls, he is part of the tight inner circle of trusted ministers who brief Mr Brown across all policy areas.
The expanding Mandelsonia empire
Lord Mandelson now sits on the following Cabinet committees:
National Economic Council
Better Regulation
Democratic Renewal Council
Domestic Policy Council (which he deputy chairs)
Domestic Affairs
Borders and Migration
Communities and Equalities
Food
Families, Children and Young People
Health and Wellbeing
Justice and Crime
Local Government and the Regions (which he chairs)
Public Engagement and the Delivery of Services
Life Chances
Talent and Enterprise
Economic Development
Environment and Energy
Housing, Planning and Regeneration
Olympic and Paralympic Games
Productivity, Skills and Employment
Constitution
National Security, International Relations and Development
Europe
Overseas and Defence
Africa
Afghanistan and Pakistan
Trade
Protective Security and Resilience
Public Services and Public Expenditure
Public Sector Pay and Pensions
Pandemic Influenza Planning
Post Office Network (which he chairs)
Flood planning
PM's ad hoc Committee on International Climate Change
PM's ad hoc International Climate Change Negotiations
Reader views (48)
Mandelson is essentially a viceroy delegated by the EU to keep Brown propped up until the Lisbon Treaty can be stitched up. After that Brown can dispensed with though no doubt he will be earmarked for a plum job with unelected President Tony.
Incidentally no ex EU Commissioner should ever be allowed to sit in either house of parliament. As ex commissioners they get a big fat EU pension, whose continuation depends on them being supportive to the aims of the EU. This is a clear conflict of interest.
- Johnse18, London
He is a crook and unelected, what the hell is going on in this country and why haven't the people woken up to the takeover? He is an EU/NWO stooge, just like Obama...we are sleepwalking into oblivion.
Thank God the people of today weren't around in 1935...
- Zordana, Bucks
Time to emigrate, good bye England, and good luck.
- St, London
Hail The Prince of Darkness!. Let the banners unfurl with his likeness! Lest the people overlook his importance... and forget to show their good humour!
- Peter Seekings-Foster, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
No slimy influence after the next election though,and if he stays with nu lab forever i would hazard a guess. Also if he can be made a lord so easily, he can be made a commoner as easily, after all his buddy blair got rid of 90+ heredity peers at a stroke, and mandy knows this which must put the fear into this nasty, devious, power seeking little toad. Let him take his chance at the next election. The mess him and his ilk have made of the country in 12 short years shows how unqualified he is to handle power.
- Daveyboy, Hornchurch
Gordon Brown made a mistake getting him back. He may strike a few back door deals but he is a calculating manipulator. I would prefer more honest politicians.
- Mike, london
1) Churchill wasn't elected in 1940 and wouldn't have been. He was regarded as a warmonger.
2) Mandleson is no Churchill but he is head and shoulders above the Conservative front bench and they know it. If he went head to head with Cameron in a live debate Cameron would be a shaking wreck within ten minutes.
- John, East Grinstead, UK
This is final stage of EU led dominance. Everyone thinks that this is a joke, but in fact the death knell of democracy in the UK. MP's are finished the Press is controlled and Mandelson whistles Dixie.
- William, Hay~Heath UK
It just proves what an incompetent PM we have to allow a man like Mandelson to run roughshod over him.
- Roger, Winchester, England
The best thing about Cameron getting in will be we never have to see this odious little man ever again.
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent
its a shame to say i havent voted since 1979! and this kind of thing is exactly why!!!
- Mark Carrier, london england
The day he was sent to the Lords was the day democracy died in Britain.
- Len Welsh, Grays, England
Can we hope that this unelected guy gets booted out of the Lords when Labour get booted out of office. He won't be needed for anything when Brown is put out to grass in Scotland.
- Michael, Kensington, UK
I'm sure that there is something to like about him, it's just that I haven't discerned yet what it might be.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England
He is doing more harm to Labour so lets leave him to it, twice he has cocked up and will do so again....Keep it up Meddlesome Mandleson, you have my blessing!!!
- Annie, Devon
Good to see Keith Price, Luton, England lauding mandelson. It epitomises his sense of value when he praises a man who has been thrown out in disgrace from parliament on more than one occasion, somehow avoiding prosecution for fraud and being appointed rather than being democratically elected grabbing the reins. democracy my ... Mandelson didn't have the guts to stand for election this time round and demonstrates the lack of talent within the cabinet and the lack of guts collectively. brown might be a bully but theses Labour Mps are gutless as well as talentless.Mandelson a good leader? Come on Keith give us some credit for intelligence. We're not your union members and so have an IQ.
- Keithspart Oftheunion, the real world
What utter nonsense!
The Cabinet should be slimmed down to become a Board of Directors (maximum of 12 members) covering eseential areas.
Under no circumstacnes whatsoever should a Peer take charge of the Government when Gormleess Gordon is on holiday. It is a disgrace to democracy!
- Ian Gilbertson, Newcastle
Looks like GB really IS a lame duck, with Mandy having a finger in every pie. Hint - if he's involved in all of these departments, then he's partly responsible for a huge cumulative amount of the failed Labour policies being enacted by them.
Keith Price - I'm starting to think that you are a secret Tory. You have a knack for coming out with the most outlandish comments on the most contentious UK political issues that ostensibly support the Labour Party, yet at the same time highlight their supporter's failing grasp on reality. Your timing for comments leaves something to be desired as a Socialist apologist, but at times appears masterful for the reverse, a boosting of the Conservatives if you were a plant.
- Rogan, Irving
Jackie Smith,s collection. I agree with your sentiment, that the prime minister is elected by the members of the biggest party, and so it should be. But hang on, name me one Labour MP that had a vote on the issue! He was corronated, not elected.
- Alan, carlisle uk
Any chance that we can see his expenses, this workload looks like a gravy train charter to me and we foot the bill.
- Jerry, London
What a simply awful man he is and unelected too! He makes my skin crawl.
- Mel Barrows., Tenerife. Canary Islands.
GOD HELP US ALL
- Kedge, wilts, england
probably getting paid expenses for each committee he's on!
- Russel, hitchin
...... jack of all trades, master of none
- Chris, Rochester
now not only will i vote labour but it is certain that Britain will climb up to the top again with Mr. Mandelson at the realm of government. I am so happy to hear this news. well done Mr. Gordon Brown to recognise the inherent power the Mr Mandelson possesses.
- Boludo, london
Keith Price, Luton
You are Peter Mandelson and I claim my fiver.....
- John Smith, Londonistan, Outer Area 5, EUSSR
Brown you have a sick sense of humour to do this to us. You have no legitimacy, never did, you have ruined the country. Get out now!
- Norman, London
I hope he can walk on water,turn water to wine and so on,because he will need these attributes when the grim reaper otherwise known as the electorate finally speaks.
Him and the rest of nuliebour will be history you mark my words.
- Roy, england
Good for you Mandy. The Tories wish hey had a leader as good as you
- Keith Price, Luton, England
"is now a member of no fewer than 35 key Cabinet committees".
BLESS ! !
- Brian Hughes, Llandudno. North Wales. U.K.
How does he find time to carry out all these so called functions. Shows that they cannot be given the care and attention required for efficient government. Like the rest governed on the hoof. Makes one wonder what really goes on in the ivory tower.
- C>D>C, Shrews
All UK Prime Ministers are elected by the MP's of the biggest party, I don't understand the misleading comments that Gordon Brown is unelected.
- Jacqui Smith'S Dvd Collection!, London
Whats the saying 'and the master of none'. As long as it's just the levers of power he's making a grab for. As for the committees he's on, er I though the police were reluctant to get involved in 'Domestic Affairs' so why should he? Borders and migration must be those between the old adversaries the Scotish, English and Welsh, because the rest leak like a sieve. I hate spelling mistakes, it should be 'Life's Chancer', and' Enterprising but Talentless. Economic development, well thats gone down the pan. Constitution is a none job as we have already got an unwritten one, unless it's the new EU one by the rear entrance.Public Sector Pay and Pensions should be reformed before the Post Office but thats a difficult one to do so it will be overlooked.Pandemic Influenza Planning should suit him down to the ground, it's a nasty little virus that gets up your nose, and needs careful control.Flood Planning is their as Gordons policies are all awash, so is he teaching Gord and Darling how to tread water? The only other observation is if this report is correct, there ain't no Justice and it's a Crime for him to have so much power.
So much for STRONG LEADERSHIP from gormless Gordon.
- Alan, carlisle uk
Maybe this will make him as sick (in the head) as his boss and he will ride off into the sunset.
- Gordonbay, London and Cape Town
An unelected dicredited politian of dubious morals..no way! This shows up Beoon & Co as inefficent and inept of running any thing let alone this once great nation. All the more reason for calling an election now
- Strongbow Sullivan, Paris,France.
Looks like either Pa Broone is getting tired of being Prime Mentalist of the UK, or Lord Meddlesome Pete has 'something on him' and is weaseling his way into making himself 'indespensible'.
Mr Mandelson has his finger in just about every aspect of Government. On a Serious note - there should be call to investigate just how, why and when he has managed to garner all this influence and 'power behind the throne' as it were of Gordon Brown. Mr Mandelson is NOT the Party Leader nor 'Secret Prime Minister', although he is behaving as he was.
- Uncle Vanya, East Anglia Area UK
As I understand it Mandleson hasn't been an MP since 2004. Long live the Poliburo comrades.
- Bj, London
Will they have to play the National anthem, when he attends anything?, will we, "mere peasants, have to bow?, and sing "god Save the Queen"? when in his company, and "gosh", tricky question, how low does one bow?.
- David Crocket, Bradford , UK.
Not me-I think his power has increased due to a weak PM.
I'd like to know what HE'S costing us.What a lot of tossers this "government" is.God help us-a revolution may be helpful,shall we do it?Or shall we still be our apathetic selves?What a complete shower we are.
- Maura Casey, London UK
so the Mandy beast is still looking for power?
Only 10 months 'til he's gone tho'
Can't wait!
- Stroller, England
unelected and had to resign twice when elected ....... democracy in action ..... is this situation not embarrassing? Maybe his next job should be president of the EU .....
- Simon Se1, London SE1
Gordon voted for him, as he did a large part of his government. The People don’t understand the Political Class so it is wrong that they should be allowed to vote for who governs.
- Ian, Reading, England
No need to panic, it will be all in vain when Labour are booted out.
- Licence Fee Loather, Stourbridge, UK
You forgot the UNELECTED Madleson
- Clif, London
The UNELECTED Prime Minister and his UNELECTED Henchman
- Bill Williams, Chateau Gontier France
That is a stupendous workload. Hats off to him.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon
this person should be barred from government , he was one of the main crooks and that is why he was originally pushed aside !
all of you who vote labour are backing this crook
- Denise G, Norfolk
Hands up all those that voted for him?
- Paul, London
