In contrast to Gordon Brown’s dull and worthy holiday working as a volunteer on community projects in his constituency, there is something rather refreshing about Lord Mandelson’s taste for extravagant vacations on Corfu in the company of wealthy moguls. Moreover, his holidays are a godsend for deskbound journalists in London struggling for a good political story in the otherwise dead month of August. Three weeks ago the business secretary enjoyed a dinner with David Geffen, a wealthy Hollywood producer who along with others in the industry has campaigned against internet piracy. Upon his return to London, Lord Mandelson effected an about-turn on the government’s policy towards internet piracy. Former Digital Britain minister Lord Carter previously ruled out the prospect of blocking internet access to internet users who illegally download films and music. Now, however, Lord Mandelson wants to do just this.
Without trying to second-guess what was said between courses of seafood on Corfu, the change in policy does appear to fit a pattern which was common in the early years of New Labour, where a seemingly clear policy would suddenly be changed to suit wealthy businessman known to be friendly to the Labour party: not least when Formula 1 was granted a reprieve from the ban on tobacco advertising following a £1 million donation to the party from Bernie Ecclestone.
Yet in spite of the undesirability of policy being influenced, or being seen to be influenced, by cosy relationships between ministers and wealthy businessmen, the government has finally arrived at a more sensible policy.
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