Watching Prime Minister's Questions from the members' gallery, above the opposition benches and facing Gordon Brown and Labour MPs, and on an excursion from the House of Lords, was would-be Strictly Come Dancing contestant and yachting enthusiast Lord Mandelson of Hartlepool and Foy.
A rare treat. Now that he is the second most influential person in the Cabinet, it was worth watching his facial expressions and body language during the 30 minute session. As Gordon Brown and David Cameron put further clear blue water between their party boats on tax and spending, Lord Mandelson varied his expressions as follows: disdainful shake of head (Brown under pressure from Cameron), and poker face (Cameron under pressure from Brown). Occasionally, chin on hand, he would look over to survey the press gallery. I chose not to engage him in a staring-out contest. And so it went like this for most of the half hour.
But just when I began to sink with disappointment, at 27 minutes past 12, something happened. Labour MP Gordon Prentice asked a question about educational maintenance allowances, prompting Schools Secretary Ed Balls, next to Mr Brown, to start whispering into the Prime Minister's ear to help him with the answer. From the Tory benches there were shouts of "It's Balls! It's Balls!" It can only have been a coincidence, surely, that Lord Mandelson, at exactly this moment, allowed himself a rather open and unashamed giggle?
There is nothing comedic about the presence of Mandelson at the heart of government.
The man is a liar and a crook, with even less of a democratic mandate for his position than the clown that elevated him to the lords.
The fact that he is the "second most influential person in the Cabinet" speaks volumes of the barrel-scraping to which The Glorious Leader has had to resort.
The mere presence of this loathsome individual in British public life is a national disgrace.
Posted by: Keith Lonsdale | Wednesday, 19 November 2008 at 07:08 PM
The cynicism of Brown in appointing the unelected (and therefore unsackable by the electorate) Mandelson tells you everything you need to know about Brown - now reliant on a man he has hated for years.
Posted by: Prestonian | Thursday, 20 November 2008 at 12:35 AM
Everybody hates him except Brown. But look at the man's c.v. Young Communist League, Oxford, British Youth Council (trip to Cuba with Scargill and friends), LWT producer (how did he land that job?), Labour Party (two unforeseen departures), Euro Commissioner (not very popular in Brussels) and now a Lord! Not bad, eh? And lots of wealthy friends, although nobody in politics here or abroad, except Brown for reasons none of us will ever understand, likes him. Well, that's British politics for you - sound and fury, signifying not much of any use or help to Joe the Voter.
Posted by: john problem | Thursday, 20 November 2008 at 08:26 AM
Doubt it Diogenes, I reckon they bought Brown just as they did Blair and Mandy's just there to make sure he behaves, same as Levy did with Blair.
It's starting to get very much like South African aparthied. Everyone was against it and knew it was evil and should be stopped except our brave politicians who kept supporting a criminal regime in the face of public and international outrage.
Posted by: flipped | Thursday, 20 November 2008 at 12:12 PM
Flipped--It looks as though, one cannot mention the "J" word or refer to Israel and Palestine in any critical way. Nor can one suggest "a state within a state" without these apologists intervening. Democratic wishes are being given the old Soviet treatment.
Posted by: Diogenes | Saturday, 22 November 2008 at 06:54 AM
Can I recommend occupation101.com and the video/DVD then? Especially as it demonstrates the wonderful humanitarian works being carried out by an extremely moral and ethical society on behalf of a dispossessed and downtrodden people to eleviate their suffering and oppression.
Posted by: flipped | Saturday, 22 November 2008 at 11:04 AM