The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Whelan on Miliband, Mandelson and election defeat

“All they were interested in was getting Miliband in,” says former spin doctor. “I was sickened.”

By Jon Bernstein Published 14 August 2010 11:40

Today's Daily Mail has what it claims is the first major newspaper interview with Charlie Whelan since Labour came to power in 1997. Whether that's hyping things a little or not, the joint interviewers, Andrew Pierce and Amanda Platell, appear to have got what they were after from the outspoken Whelan.

Here are some of the "highlights" for those of you yet to get down to the newsagent's . . .

On Peter Mandelson and the 2010 election campaign

Peter claims he is a great strategist and campaigner. In truth, the great campaigner was Gordon Brown, who masterminded the 1997, 2001 and 2005 victories. Peter ran two campaigns: 1987 and 2010.

I'd been to America to the Democrat Convention and had seen how Obama had revolutionised the way you use modern media. Peter was stuck in the past.

He was meant to be the conductor of the orchestra, but he wanted to be up front blowing his own trumpet.

On David Miliband and the plots against Gordon Brown

At the time, there were genuine leadership challenges which made us less and less electable. The first rule of politics is that the public do not like divided parties.

[Although he won't identify him, it is obvious Whelan thinks David Miliband was central to the plot. When we suggest the former foreign secretary's name, Whelan shrugs and says:]

You don't need to be a genius to work that out.

On the "defeatist" Blairites

HQ was full of Blairites. Their heart wasn't in it. They didn't think they could win it, and they didn't have any interest in Gordon. They were waiting to lose. All they were interested in was getting Miliband in. I was sickened.

So far, Whelan, an active tweeter, has yet to comment on the Mail's splash.

Tags: Charlie Whelan David Miliband Peter Mandelson

More from Jon Bernstein

10 comments

Sun, 2010-08-15 12:52 — treborc

Well after 46 years in Labour I left, but I'd be dammed if I'd vote Tory. But in the end as somebody said they understand the Labour party, then please explain to me because I've no idea, ID cards, locking children up in jails, DNA data bases , keeping details of who is who. No thanks Labour has gone lets keep it out, but voting Tory not me, I sit at home from now on.

Sat, 2010-08-14 11:56 — David Wearing1

Why would the Blairites want a Labour government? They have a Blairite government now.

Sat, 2010-08-14 12:01 — Mattypn (not verified)

Charlie Whelan is a self important, indulgent moron and I sincerely hope he never comes near the Labour Party again for the rest of his life.

Sat, 2010-08-14 12:15 — Malcolm Armsteen (not verified)

Cui bono? What's Charlie after?

Sat, 2010-08-14 12:19 — Kate Condie (not verified)

I totally agree with Charlie's thoughts, I have said for a long time that DMiliband and PMandelson are bad news.

Sat, 2010-08-14 12:54 — Terry (not verified)

Lets face it,labour would have done a lot better in the election were it not for Gordon Brown. Love him or hate him he was never PM material. Don't take my word for it, ask the voter's.

Sat, 2010-08-14 14:27 — Ayse Veli (not verified)

Like seriously who gives a damn about The Daily Mail newspaper? And Charlie Whelan shud be worried sick that he WON'T have the same authority over Ed Miliband (if he wins) as he did over Gordon. This leadership campaign is a major political game changer. Number 1 is that thousands of us newby members haven't joined to simply watch the powers that be to do as they wish as we look the other way or stand on the sidelines scared to mutter a word. Whoever wins the leadership owes us big time & all we want in return is an all inclusive party so we can kick major ConDem butts.

Sat, 2010-08-14 17:07 — Liza Harding

Exactly, Ayse! I haven't joined for all this crap about who's on who's camp either - I'm sick of it - move on people and let the potential leaders move on too!
I want a more united and progressive Labour Party that represents a broader electorate so that we can ALL fight back against the Tories and the Lib Dems. Even if as individuals, we don't always agree on everything, as long as we have the fundamental Labour values guiding us, by learning from past mistakes and listening to the public at large, we can win again.
David Miliband knew that we weren't going to win with Gordon Brown and the Labour Party as it stood at the time, the proof was shown when we lost the election obviously - but he wasn't ready himself and felt that he could have made a bad situation worse by dividing the Labour Party at a time when they were losing faith from the electorate anyway!
He is more than ready and more than capable to lead now in his own right, so please can we think about what's best for a better Labour Party and a better, fairer future for our country with the most skilful leader in place!
Labour can't afford to fail again.

Sat, 2010-08-14 19:02 — Celia (not verified)

I don't have anything to say about this, but I do find it interesting that the Daily Mail commenters seem to love Mandelson (or, at least, not hate him) now he's pissing off other Labour people. Funny old world.

Sat, 2010-08-14 21:21 — Hriday

I hope David Miliband does not become the leader of the Labour party.I am a long time Labour party supporter who will not vote for the Labour party if DM ( David Miliband) is the leader.
He was an incompetent Foreign Secretary.In Delhi he mentioned Kashmir deliberatly, to insult the host country.Kashmir is a complicated issue which DM doesn't understand.DM is anti-India.Most British Indians feel the same about DM.
I might even vote for the Tories, not the wishy washy Lib-Dems.We are impressed with David Cameron's frank comment on Pak's duplicity over terrorism & also because the Tory MP-Philip Hollobone's efforts to get the burka banned in the country.