I have just come back from an utterly engrossing 90 minutes with Lord Mandelson along with a number of other left bloggers in Harper Collins HQ. Despite the ferocious reaction to Lord Mandelson’s memoirs, I was determined to approach this with an open mind. And it wasn’t in any sense disappointing: whatever your feeling about Lord Mandelson he has such a breadth of experience and thought that it benefits to pay close attention to his thoughts. Fascinatingly, even for a breakfast involving bloggers, Lord Mandelson was meticulously prepared- he gave a ten minute introduction using notes so you know everything he said has been considered.
If one of New Labour’s shortfalls was a historical myopia, then it pays to not fall into the same trap when assessing ‘The Third Man.’ It was clear from our chat that it is rich with historical insight that is valuable not just for Labour but across the political spectrum.
In addition to its political values there were two main things that struck me about the conversation this morning. Firstly, there was a warning. He recounted a telephone conversation with the late John Smith in 1993 where the latter was complaining about agitation by modernisers. Smith made reference to ‘these f**king boat rocking modernisers.’ This comment was referred to in reference to the future. Almost under his breath, Mandelson implored people in Labour to ‘rock the f**king boat.’ He seems to hinting at a similar concern with Labour in opposition as I’ve voiced (at one point he talked about Tony Blair’s style of opposition- outflanking the Tories rather than confronting them each and every time which is instructive.)
Secondly, his reflections on Labour’s defeat went further than I thought they would as he gave a full analysis of the defeat and also, somewhat surprisingly, and honestly an assessment of the shortcomings of the former Prime Minister. He put the defeat down to incumbency, the Prime Minister being right for the ‘war’- i.e. the credit crunch- but not for the peace, Labour failing to articulate that it was about the future not the past, and, in perhaps what was a bit of a swipe at people such as Ed Balls, the fact that Labour was too rooted in a scarcely credible ‘investment v cuts’ narrative.
Then he came onto Gordon Brown. For Lord Mandelson, Gordon Brown was ill-equipped to fight the ‘most presidential election in our history’ where the TV debates dominated everything. While he passed the test with flying colours with his understanding of an exceedingly complex crisis that wasn’t enough. Brown was good at the big picture- understanding the world and the right policy responses. However, he failed at the ‘small things’: relationships, management and communications. And in the Gillian Duffy incident the nature of modern politics was crystallised: there is no hiding place, EQ is at a premium, and everything is magnified. How would Harold MacMillan have coped in such an environment? Quite. And Gordon Brown faced similar challenges.
Of course, this does pose the rather uncomfortable question of why the Prime Minister remained in place given these shortcomings.
But this book isn’t simply about personalities; it’s about the policy and strategic conflicts of the New Labour years. Some will see this book as an act of disloyalty. That’s the easy and knee-jerk response. What is more difficult is to engage properly with history, experience, judgements, and lessons of one of New Labour’s not so holy trinity. These three men defined British politics for three decades. It’s easy to dismiss ‘The Third Man.’ It would sorely be a mistake to do so. This book is an honest account. Parties that ignore their past are destined to make the same mistakes in the future. That in itself makes it a worthy read. Beyond that, this story sizzles and crackles just as its protagonists do. While we may wish to put the psycho-drama behind us, the historical lessons- more positive than negative- must remain with us. And we could do well to remember that, from time to time, we will have have to rock the Labour party’s boat.
July 16th, 2010 at 12:48
It’s sad but John Smith was right the people did rock the boat took no notice and now the boat has sunk with all hands except the people who opened the valves to the open sea, Blair gone saved with a life jacket of money, Brown run away in hiding I suspect writing a book to be released before Blair’s. and of course Mandy who is now asking the Tories do you need me, Please.
But what of New labour can they resurface the ship, sadly i think it’s sunk well low in the mud and shit, best place for it really.
July 16th, 2010 at 14:04
“Then he came onto Gordon Brown.”
Freudian slip?
July 16th, 2010 at 14:05
“These three men defined British politics for three decades. ”
Surely two?
(sorry I can’t be more constructive – good post though!)
July 16th, 2010 at 14:47
No mention of Browns medical record or his mental state? It was clear a couple of years agao that a sick man was in charge and totally out of control. Mandy and the rest of the sorry gang should have outed Brown years ago. So hardy an honest account more a justification for a couple of decades of high living, handouts, fast cars, police outriders and so on. Expect Sarah Brown to discreetly file for divorce in say three years time…. Don’t expect Brown to return to Parliament until next year if at all… but do expect that your childrens children will still be paying for it!