Peter Mandelson, the UK's first 'spin doctor', was immensely valuable to those he served but had a fatal flaw: he was a Machiavellian who always cast himself as a victim. Despite his sharp mind, he left a trail of self-incriminating evidence, including emails, leading to police searches of his homes. He also lied repeatedly to secure the post as UK ambassador to Washington, according to Keir Starmer.
When Mandelson took over as Labour's director of communications in 1985, the party was reeling from a catastrophic election defeat and dominated by trade unions. He transformed its image, introducing focus groups, a new red rose logo, and a celebrated party political broadcast directed by Hugh Hudson. His efforts helped make the party more electable, but his character flaws were already apparent.
Mandelson could not resist playing power games and using his influence to undermine those who crossed him, making him deeply distrusted and disliked. The late Tessa Jowell recalled that after his election to parliament in 1992, another Labour MP refused to sit near him, calling him 'the most hated man in the Labour party'. Despite occasional attempts to change, the lure of secret power always pulled him back.
Every major setback in Mandelson's career came from dubious associations with wealthy individuals. He resigned from the cabinet twice: first over a secret loan from a Labour MP, and later over a favour for an Indian billionaire. He also attracted bad headlines after holidaying on a yacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. Each disaster was his own fault, but he never saw it that way.
In his 2001 acceptance speech after being re-elected MP for Hartlepool, Mandelson declared he was 'a fighter not a quitter', denouncing those who had underestimated him. This self-perception as a victim, despite his Machiavellian tactics, sums up his career.
