Guardian UK Politics
Mandelson files reveal a man for whom betrayal is a way of life | John Crace
Newly released files paint a damning portrait of Peter Mandelson as a political operator who routinely undermined colleagues and allies while maintaining a facade of loyalty. The documents reveal the veteran Labour strategist in characteristically scheming form, trading sharp assessments of those closest to him behind closed doors. For a figure long dubbed the Prince of Darkness, the files offer fresh evidence that the reputation was well earned.
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What documents are missing from the new release of Mandelson files?
Five key documents remain missing from the government's release of more than 1,500 pages relating to Peter Mandelson's Washington ambassadorship, undermining official claims of unprecedented transparency. Among the withheld papers are a vetting summary and a declaration of interest — precisely the records most likely to illuminate potential conflicts. The gaps matter because Mandelson's appointment has drawn scrutiny over his business ties, making the missing documents the most consequential of the lot.
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Labour ‘not looking to raise taxes to fund benefits’ as Mandelson messages suggest
Labour Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds moved to contain fallout from leaked WhatsApp messages in which Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden appeared to express frustration at internal pressure to raise taxes to fund benefits. Thomas-Symonds insisted the government is not pursuing such a course, framing the party's focus instead on economic growth. The messages, exchanged with former minister Peter Mandelson, have handed critics fresh ammunition over divisions within Labour's ranks.
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Key messages between Mandelson and ministers
Peter Mandelson's private messages have been released, spanning 1,000 pages of candid exchanges with ministers that lay bare sharp criticisms of Labour MPs, Downing Street, and the prime minister himself. The disclosure offers a rare and unfiltered window into the internal tensions at the heart of British politics. For a party keen to project unity, the timing could hardly be more damaging.
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Losing support to Restore, Farage seizes a golden opportunity to bring racists back into the fold | John Crace
Farage used a grieving father's explicit plea not to weaponize his son's murder as a platform to do exactly that, positioning himself as the voice of national outrage in a self-styled "address to the nation." The move comes as Reform faces pressure from the harder-right Restore party, giving Farage political incentive to sharpen his rhetoric and reclaim voters drifting toward more extreme alternatives. It is a calculated gamble that trades decency for base consolidation.
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