Mandelson back on the books

[VenalWinfrey]

Can somebody please explain to me how Peter Mandelson has been brought back into cabinet? I fear my understanding of UK politics is poor. Nonetheless, my thoughts were that only serving members of parliament were eligible to take up cabinet positions. Am I wrong on this?

Any help appreciated! (In other words, Mandelson is no longer an MP, or did I get that wrong too?)

Cheers

VW

[Buenchico]

Theoretically, the Prime Minister can appoint anyone to the Cabinet. (The Cabinet has no direct legislative or judicial powers, so there's no constitutional problem). However, the convention is that he selects members solely from those who're in Parliament (which includes both Houses). To comply with this convention, Peter Mandelson is to be elevated to the Lords.

The appointment of a Lord to the Cabinet is far from unusual. For example, Lord (Digby) Jones was a Minister up until today's reshuffle.

Peter Mandelson is one of those extremely rare creatures, an intelligent politician. Irrespective of party politics, his return to the Cabinet is to be welcomed.

Chris

[VenalWinfrey]

Chris, thank you very much, big help!

VW

[andy-hughes]

I think that aside from the hype, Mandleson is seen in Westminster as an experienced and useful policitian - that can only be the explanation for Brown bringing him back when the two patently did not get on in the Blair years.

[jonnythebosh]

Mandelson is unfit for office as an MP, never mind a minister. This is even more so seen as he has been forced to resign TWICE!!! from the cabinet . Typical of an incompetent and discredited PM and a New Labour government.

[jno]

the first time he should have resigned. The second time I think he was unlucky and Blair bowed to media pressure. Since then he's been a reasonably effective EU commissioner in a pretty impossible field (trade). He'd be a better bet if it wasn't for his greed; but that's not confined to any one party.

[modeller]

Brown should have waited for a bi-election and made Mandelson answer his critics but then of course Brown may not have got the result he wanted as in the case when he failed to give the country a referendum on the EU.