Peter Mandelson's Oxford Drenching and Political Legacy
If Peter Mandelson felt inundated this week, it was certainly not the first time he has faced a metaphorical soaking. Rear Admiral Chris Parry, a television military historian and Reform candidate for the mayoralty of Hampshire and Solent, shared a revealing anecdote from their shared time at Oxford University in the 1970s. According to Parry, Mandelson and his self-declared Marxist-Leninist friends were holding a tea party in a college quad when they were spotted by the captain of the college rugby team.
The rugby player inquired if they needed more water for their teapot, only to unreel a fire hose and give the group a thorough drenching. This incident serves as proof that even in his youth, Mandelson and his cronies were considered a right shower by some of their peers.
Hereditary Traits and Political Rivalries
Peter Mandelson has often been described as his own worst enemy, but could this condition be hereditary? The question arises from a historical anecdote involving Ernie Bevin, who served as foreign secretary in Clement Attlee's post-war Labour government. Bevin once heard Mandelson's grandfather, home secretary Herbert Morrison, described in similar terms.
Bevin reportedly growled in response, "Not while I'm alive, he's not," highlighting the intense political rivalries that have long characterized Westminster circles.
Royal Honors and Political Comparisons
In other news, Kate Winslet's royal approval rating continues to soar following her appointment as an ambassador for The King's Foundation last year and her narration of His Majesty's documentary, Finding Harmony: A King's Vision. Reliable sources indicate that the Oscar-winning actress, who received a CBE in 2012, is expected to become "Dame Kate" before the end of the year, marking a significant honor in her distinguished career.
Starmer's Personality and Leadership Prospects
Keir Starmer has often been labeled as charisma-free and wooden, but Independent MP Rupert Lowe offers a harsher critique, describing him as "that poisonous mix of being utterly incompetent, with the personality of a doorknob." Meanwhile, Yvette Cooper's odds of becoming the next Prime Minister have been cut to 14-1, with a colleague of the Foreign Secretary noting, "She's an experienced old-hand who isn't Health Secretary Wes Streeting or Angela Rayner. Yvette is Labour's Theresa May." However, this comparison is hardly a ringing endorsement given May's tumultuous tenure.
Cultural Encounters and Governmental Constraints
Actress and comedian Josie Lawrence recently recalled meeting Glenda Jackson, the Oscar-winning actress who served as an MP for 23 years. Lawrence visited Jackson backstage at the Old Vic after her return to the stage at age 80 in King Lear. Jackson, who had just stepped outside for a cigarette, sat down with Lawrence for a glass of wine. When Lawrence revealed she had named her cat Glenda Jackson, Jackson responded with a hearty laugh and exclaimed, "Hahaha, f*** off!" Lawrence described the moment as brilliant.
On a different note, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, a former ice skater, flew to Milan to give the GB Winter Olympics team a pep talk. Nandy expressed interest in trying the bobsleigh, but was informed that Government insurance would not cover such an activity. This incident underscores the constraints faced by ministers, with Nandy not being the only one potentially skating on thin ice in her role.
BBC's Financial Struggles and Family Strife
The BBC is currently struggling to attract a new Director-General, but former executive Peter Fincham reminisced about the perks of the role during his time running BBC One. He noted that when the BBC held rights to the World Cup, he could simply request tickets for various games, which were provided by the Sport department. However, with the BBC now too cash-strapped to send pundits to the opening stages of this Summer's World Cup in North America, any boss spotted lounging beside FIFA's fat cats would face significant scrutiny.
Adding to the drama, family strife has emerged among the Starmerites. Former BBC politics presenter Steve Richards, a left-winger, publicly criticized the Prime Minister on social media platform X. Richards is the father of justice minister Jake Richards and Amy Richards, who serves as political director at No 10 and works closely with Starmer, highlighting the complex personal and political dynamics at play in Westminster.
