Mandelson's The Third Man Salts New Labour's Wounds

Peter Mandelson's memoirs, The Third Man, hits bookstore today, but The Times has serialized about 18,000 words of it in its editions of the 12th, 13th and 14th. All such books are self-serving and should be read as such; however, Lord Mandelson is one of the most self-absorbed and truly awful individuals to publish this year. So, extra skepticism is needed. That said, the book is of interest for anyone who would like to figure out the last 13 years of British politics, get insight into the coalition negotiations and understand what comes next for a devastated Labour Party.

The title comes from Lord Mandelson's belief that New Labour was a project begun by three youngish MPs after the 1992 election defeat: Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson. Debunking this is another essay entirely, but what is significant here is that Lord Mandelson truly believes that he was one of the architects of a new politics for the British left. It is through that prism that one must read his words.

One of the more compelling parts of the book deals with the odd relationship of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown once they had achieved power. Mr. Blair had the looks, charm and ease that made him PM while Mr. Brown was the senior member of the "Three Musketeers." That made for the 13 years of psychodrama right there. Thus, Mr. Blair denies any agreement on when he would hand over to Mr. Brown, while Mr. Brown felt a deal had been struck and then ignored. In retrospect, a leadership fight after the death of John Smith, who was leader before Mr. Blair, would have resolved the whole thing. Yet, Lord Mandelson thought it would have needlessly divided the party. It is stunning how a politician at such a level can misunderstand the value of an election to decide things.

Also of huge interest is his account of the negotiations that followed the May 6, 2010, general election that resulted in the Lib-Con coalition. So deluded were the Labourites that many believed that they could cut a deal with Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats to stay in power despite the fact that such a partnership would not command a majority in the House of Commons. There are descriptions of Prime Minister Brown taking a car from the Ministry of Defense to the House of Commons so as not to be seen by the media for a meeting with Mr. Clegg behind the Speaker's Chair. Here, Lord Mandelson shows a certain flair for literature, and the subject matter is as good as any fictional political thriller.

Unfortunately for the Labour Party, this book seems to suggest that the last 13 years was not about changing Britain for the better, or failing to, but rather it was about two men, plus the author, trying to decide just who got what job and how best to keep it. Messrs. Brown and Blair appear to be less leaders of a great nation and party and more like rival executive committee members of a particularly spiteful golf club. It will make the job of the next Labour leader harder, whether that was Lord Mandelson's intention or not. Next in line will be Tony Blair's book, due out just before the Labour Party conference meets to choose the next leader. One can almost hear the chanting of the Conservatives now, "Five more years! Five more years!"

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