Peter Mandelson is now considering a second term as Britain's EU commissioner in Brussels after firmly ruling it out just a year ago, we are asked to believe.
It's claimed that Gordon Brown asked him to reconsider during 80 minutes of "warm" discussions in Brussels on February 21 and that this is evidence of a rapprochement after their 14-year feud.
Forgive me for being sceptical.
In an interview in March last year, before Big Gordy became PM, Mandy declared: "I don't know whether this is going to come as a disappointment to him, but he can't actually fire me.
"So like it or not, I'm afraid he will have to accept me as a commissioner until November 2009. But I will not be seeking a nomination for a further term."
That seemed pretty clear.
Not so, apparently. Mandy now says he was "jetlagged" at the time, because he had just got off a long flight from China, and was "bounced" by reports that Gordon had made up his mind to sack him.
Officially, Mr Mandelson's spokesman says: "He has not reached a definitive view. That is something for next year."
But don't forget one big factor that has perhaps prompted a Mandelson U-turn: the emergence of his friend Tony Blair as a contender for the new post of president of the EU Council.
Some years ago, the Daily Mail ran a headline "Mandy's Muppets" and identified a group of political journalists it was claimed were regularly briefed by the so-called "Prince of Darkness".
The latest "Mandy U-turn" stories, I couldn't help noticing, were written by current and former Brussels correspondents.
More spinned against than spinning? I think not.
More gravy vicar?
Yes please.
Posted by: Ian, Lancashire 11 Mar 2008 18:44:43
Mandy is for turning then!!
Posted by: Philip, Bristol 11 Mar 2008 14:05:43
Hewitt for Mandelson! Makes one think that the august Commissioners are all failed and second-rate pollies. And these are the [unelected and accountable] people who make the rules which govern us - not the EU Parliament which has almost no power at all except to spend money lavishly on their own "expenses".
Posted by: Victor, NW Kent 11 Mar 2008 11:32:36
Normally I would oppose this person being employed as anything. However I have read somewhere that the Aussie-Witch of the NHS - Patricia Hewitt - was being lined-up as his replacement. Strange how good his renomination is in comparison...!
Posted by: Fluffy, London, England 11 Mar 2008 00:05:50
Mandy doing a 'U' Turn oooOOooo Sweet!
Posted by: Mentor - Northumberland 10 Mar 2008 23:41:50
I'm just [Amazed] by his resolute commitment to making tough decisions and sticking by them,[Duncan James]
Posted by: Khalid 10 Mar 2008 19:27:43
Are we realy to believe that Mandy would give up a lucrative job like that, he must have been teasing Brown.
You wont be able shift Mandy with a gablock and chain.
Posted by: waine uk 10 Mar 2008 16:17:47
Poor Gordon has so few people to call on for ANY job. If it comes about, he would really have had to dredge the bottom of a sewer, containing most of this goverments old yarn spun by the likes of Mandy!!
Posted by: neither/niether 10 Mar 2008 15:58:02
I'm sure this cynical exercise suits both Brown and Mandelson. New Labour really is the political party from hell; a group of people whose only interest in staying together is self interest.They tolerate each other. By the way I see they have appointed a high flying city financier as General Secretary. They chose him over a union official. Quite revealing I think as to where the soul of New Labour finds it's solace. New Labour is now the party of the establishment; the party of those who have influence and power and this includes privileged Trades Union power. This perhaps is a normal process for a party over a decade in power. Money and privilege tend to gravitate towards it.The average man and woman in Great Britain now however, needs to view New Labour as they did the Old Tories.
Posted by: alan mcpartland dublin 10 Mar 2008 15:57:24
Why Mandelson was put there in the first place only St. Anthony Blair knows.
The very idea that it is his choice as to whether to stay there or not grates on my senses of fairness. Certainly he has not been significantly more useless than most other EU Commissioners but one feels that either the new Prime Minister has the right of appointment or that it should be voted for at every General Election.
After all there are other perfectly good candidates such as John Prescott, Wendy Alexander and Ken Livingstone.
Posted by: Victor, NW Kent 10 Mar 2008 14:06:38
Mr Brown has probably realised it is better to keep old "Mandy' in Brussels, out of his hair there!
Posted by: Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 10 Mar 2008 14:00:28