In an earlier blog I was rather dismissive of Lord Mandelson’s appointment, I felt it reflected badly on Brown’s judgement, a bit like McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin reflects badly on his. I thought it a piece of calculating cynicism meant to appeal to Blairites which was bound to go wrong…and it probably will. But now I’ve seen Lord Mandelson in action in the Chamber I am beginning to understand why he’s so badly needed by the Government. He has a gift for oratory and a ready wit of the kind we don’t see enough of. He made a statement about support for small businesses on Wednesday evening, and was properly chastised by Lord Hunt of Wirral (former Conservative cabinet minister David Hunt) for the late conveying of the statement to the House, and for the fact that it had been read by a junior minister in the Commons first. Mandleson responded pretty well given the circs and still managed to make a quip that was both self-deprecating and responsive. His experience shows.
And let’s be honest Baroness Murphy, if you said anything any less oleaginous, your reputation would be the one getting trashed in this weekend’s Sunday papers..
I don’t deny he is good at what he does, but when one sees what happens to people who dare to get on the wrong side of him, it does rather make any praise [and I’m sure yours is sincere, in contrast to many puff pieces from the like of Oofy Wegg-Prosser] difficult to take at face value..
Righty-ho, I’m off to hear your ‘peers’ on Any Questions..
The statement and responses being referred to are here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?id=2008-10-22a.1143.2
Oleaginous, Bedd Gelert, can’t I just be nice about someone for once? I haven’t been exactly complimentary about Mandelson before. My career, since I won’t be accepting any job from any Government for the forseeable future, won’t be affected in any way by my expressed opinion on Lord Mandelson, good or bad, and no-one at the political front line will much care what a back bench crossbencher thinks. Being outside the political parties means I have to make my mind up as you do from the actions and statements of the man and the press coverage but I grant you with the added advantage of seeing him in action at close quarters. You are hardly being fair to me today…
and thanks Matthew for adding the tag…
Apologies are due – my point was a more general one. I took care to say that I’m sure you are being sincere. What I feel personally is that if ‘one’ [rather than yourself specifically] is less than complimentary about Lord Mandelson it does seem to be noted for future reference, and he does appear [and I make clear that this is only a personal opinion] that he does give the impression that he should in some way be above personal criticism, justified or otherwise.
Maybe I’m doing him a dis-service, as clearly I’ve never met the man.
His input to the Northern Ireland peace process was outstanding. But his apparent skill at retribution may come back to bite him – what goes around, comes around – and few people, of whatever level, are above that powerful natural law of the universe. Which is as much a lesson for me, as anyone else…
Bedd Gelert, OK you’re forgiven, and like you I will be watching the progress of the new Lord with much interest, to see if he can avoid the banana skins.