Gordon Brown has certainly regained the political initiative with today’s announcement of the return of Peter Mandelson to British politics. Wait for this weekend’s papers, one is going to feel like is back to 1998. So far surprise is the only feeling everyone can agree on the return of our very own ‘comeback kid’.
But moving on to the bigger picture. A Guardian/ICM poll today shows a bump in the polls for the Tories of just 1% after their conference. It should be a warning shot for Cameron that his strategy is starting to show signs of exhaustion. It is true that they are comfortable in the lead and that a return to parliamentary politics benefits him against Brown, specially the diversification of daily topics (not just the crisis which benefits Brown) and the weekly showdown of PMQs.
And here is where Brown’s reshuffle comes into play. Three very important priorities are being covered by the PM in what I believe to be a great strategic move on his part:
Firstly, Brown has neutralised any potential Blairite plotting or undermining of his authority with the return of the ultra-blairite, and not Brown’s best friend, Mandelson. Miliband should now keep quite and work hard for his resurging PM. Plus Mandelson’s return should be a nice bone for Charles Clarke and Alan Milburn to chew on and keep quite, at least for a while.
Secondly, the PM should find in Beckett and Mandelson the solutions to his government’s presentational problems. Mandelson’s presentational skills together with Alistair Campbell, who’s returned as an external advisor, and Damian McBride’s everyday media relations experience should bring back some efficiency to No. 10′s media operation. On the other hand, the return of Margaret Beckett, a seasoned party and cabinet operative, should help improve coordination and discipline within the cabinet, something that has been lacking in past Brown cabinets.
And my third and final point is the changes in policy areas. With the creation of a specific post on climate change and energy, led by Ed Miliband, Brown is signalling the importance energy prices have in household economies as well as not forgetting the crucial fight against climate change. This combined with the creation of a National Economic Council and, again, the return of Mandelson, who has gained invaluable experienced as Trade Commissioner in Brussels, should strengthen the government’s ability to fight the current financial crisis to get the economy train rolling again. A final point to be made is the appointment of Geoff Hoon as Transport Secretary. As a bit of a transport policy geek myself I am very happy with this appointment. Hoon is a pragmatic and able politician that should make of the DfT a crucial department within government after the year of inaction under Ruth Kelly.
Brown is impressing me lately. He’s recovered and is starting to look again like the strategic mind he is at his best. The Tories should be worried, maybe it’s time to fly Steve Hilton back from the sunshine state.
[...] Forgesian Thinking relates why the return of Mandelson to the Cabinet is a real coup for Labour that might put us on the road to a fourth election victory – but I think they left out one thing. He’s an asshole. During the leadership election, weren’t the Brownites trying to convince grassroots supporters that Labour would be more, well, Labour-like, under Brown? And now he reappoints Mandelson. Hmm. Something has gone just a little bit wrong somewhere. [...]
Agree on DECC,, was having meeting at Defra today and the mandarins approved.
I think the Mandy thing is the type of “all in” play GB has been forced into given the dirth of available talent on the Labour benches. While a good technician and popular during previous stint at DTI PM has an uncanny ability to bungle in a very sleazy way and to alienate people; witness the number of policy debates he lost in Brux (unbeknown to all but hardened trade geeks). The main hope on Mandy is that you can keep him behind the scenes doing political work (though I wouldnt count on Brown genuinely allowing him to drive strategy) where he is strongest, not out and about sleazifying and alienating people.
On Hoon I am not in agreement with you. If he is presented with good stuff by his Civ Servants he can certainly win a fight, but I dont see him as particularly creative.