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Mandelson’s baggage

New Statesman political editor Martin Bright reacts to the astonishing news that Gordon Brown has fo

By Martin Bright

The return of Peter Mandelson to government is great news for British journalism. The man who has twice been brought down by the media has just issued an open invitation to Fleet Street’s feral beasts by accepting a job with Gordon Brown.

There is no doubt he will bring some much-needed steel to the Labour operation. But he comes with such baggage that he may simply remind the voters of the worst of New Labour – in particular in its sycophantic relationship with big business.

This time around he isn’t even an elected politician so the appetite to hold him to account will be all the stronger.

This is going to be a lot of fun.

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