The Mandelson backlash

Bringing back Peter Mandelson and sidelining Damian McBride has not gone down well with some of the more hard-core Brownites. Kevin Maguire savages the Mandelson appointment, arguing that it makes Brown look weak, weak, weak:

If Gordon Brown hopes people have forgotten who Peter Mandelson was he will be badly mistaken. Both will hate the ridicule coming their way. To turn to a figure who personified a lack of trust in politicians is a grave error. Should we start placing bets on Lord Mandy’s third Cabinet resignation?

What other surprises has Brown up his sleeve? John Prescott as Deputy PM? Denis Healey as Chancellor? Neil Kinnock’s still around. And what about Tony Blair coming back as, erm, Prime Minister?

The complaints from John McDonnell and his ilk are unlikely to inflict damage on Mandelson. But if the alienated Brownites and the unions kick off, and remember what Charlie Whelan does now, then there could be blood on the carpet before long.