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Brown move surprises Mandelson

LONDON: Peter Mandelson, one of the most controversial figures of the Blair era and currently the European Union’s Trade Commissioner, is back in government, seven years after he was forced to resign over allegations that he tried to fast-track Indian businessman S.P. Hinduja’s application for a British passport.

In a surprise move, Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Friday brought him back in a Cabinet reshuffle designed to shore up his faltering leadership.

Mr. Mandelson would be the Secretary of State for Business and Enterprise, replacing John Hutton. Mr. Hutton is the new Defence Secretary and succeeds Des Browne who left the government.

A self-confessed staunch Blair-ite, Mr. Mandelson has often criticised Mr. Brown who, in turn, never forgave him for supporting Tony Blair in the 1994 Labour leadership election that paved the way for Mr. Blair to become Prime Minister when the party won a landslide victory three years later.

“It is embracing someone who, in the past, had been seen as being very close to Tony Blair, so it’s an inclusive measure,” said the former Home Secretary and fellow-Blair-ite David Blunkett.

However, Left-wing Labour MPs criticised the move saying it undermined efforts to get away from the Blair era which was characterised by “spin” and “failed policies”.“It makes me very sad that he’s come back. It’s not about experience…It’s about the association with new Labour, the Third Way, the old failed policies. And at a time when we really need something that’s a bit more conducive to the public’s views and requirements, I think this is a retrograde step,” said Labour MP Ian Gibson.

Mr. Mandelson himself sounded surprised saying he had not expected the job.

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