Will Starmer join Mandelson in the toast rack?

[vladi]

Last December I made a post which said "Peter Mandelson has all the skills and abilities to make an exceedingly good diplomat" and up until yesterday he had undoubtedly demonstrated his abilities.

I fear now that the story about relations with Epstein will run and run and the outcome may not be beneficial for either Peter or even Trump.

Edited September 17, 2025 by vladi
By request

[Sephiroth]

He is toast 

he should never have been appointed 

and starmer flannelling about all of this shows exceptionally poor judgement 

a disgrace all around 

[vladi]

26 minutes ago, Sephiroth said:

he should never have been appointed 

 

Can't agree with that because he is a superb communicator - a really smart and  smooth talker. He studied PPE at Oxford and was communications director for Labour for many years. 
Setting aside the "minor"  indiscretions during his time in government he has all the smoothness and ability to flatter Trump without appearing obsequious. Plus he can manage and exploit  Trump’s ego.
He is highly polished socially, comfortable in elite circles, skilled at making personal connections. He can flatter and disarm, which is a useful tactic with Trump, who responds well to personal respect and praise.
As a former EU Trade Commissioner and Cabinet minister, Mandelson understands international relations, trade, and diplomacy. He knows how to frame issues in terms of “wins” that Trump could claim credit for.

I honestly hope that he survives.

 

[Insuflo]

43 minutes ago, vladi said:

Last December I made a post which said "Peter Mandelson has all the skills and abilities to make an exceedingly good diplomat" and up until yesterday he had undoubtedly demonstrated his abilities.

I fear now that the story about relations with Epstein will run and run and the outcome may not be beneficial for either Peter or even Trump.

And I replied:

Mandelson and Trump have much in common. They are both shallow, vulgar and vain. They both fetishise wealth and power, irrespective of who holds it or how it was accumulated. They were both close friends and associates of the late Jeffrey Epstein and have moved in the same circles, as Ghislaine Maxwell’s address book allegedly confirms.
Recognising another who is utterly transactional and lacking in a moral compass, there’s every chance of “Petie” fitting right in Mar-a-Largo.

That Starmer couldn’t anticipate that Mandelson’s past behaviour would be problematic just proves how inept this government is.

[Spartacus]

I also wonder if all this, recently events and so many u turns is going to also be the end of Kier Starmer.

[vladi]

47 minutes ago, Spartacus said:

I also wonder if all this, recently events and so many u turns is going to also be the end of Kier Starmer.

I'd put short odds on that but who would be his likely successor?

[Guest]

2 hours ago, vladi said:

Can't agree with that because he is a superb communicator - a really smart and  smooth talker. He studied PPE at Oxford and was communications director for Labour for many years. 
Setting aside the "minor"  indiscretions during his time in government he has all the smoothness and ability to flatter Trump without appearing obsequious. Plus he can manage and exploit  Trump’s ego.
He is highly polished socially, comfortable in elite circles, skilled at making personal connections. He can flatter and disarm, which is a useful tactic with Trump, who responds well to personal respect and praise.
As a former EU Trade Commissioner and Cabinet minister, Mandelson understands international relations, trade, and diplomacy. He knows how to frame issues in terms of “wins” that Trump could claim credit for.

I honestly hope that he survives.

 

- had all the wrong connections at the wrong time

- fraternised with some well dodgy blokes or rather one at least  

- smart and  smooth talker

- he has all the smoothness and ability to flatter

- he is highly polished

- skilled at making personal connections

- never liked or trusted the chap, reminiscent of a slime ball

[Cancerian]

He’s got to go. Especially after he was in contact with Epstein after Epstein had been found out regarding his perverted crimes. And the photo of Peter in his fluffy white dressing gown and Epstein on a patio somewhere?

[malumbu]

Not sure why the interest.

He's dealing with Trump who was a mate of Epstein.

It's like saying anyone who ever had dealings with Savile should be sent to the Tower.

Edited September 10, 2025 by malumbu

[Spartacus]

Discussion over 

BBC News - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/czewp16k6k6t
Keir Starmer sacks Peter Mandelson as US ambassador over links to Jeffrey Epstein - BBC News

[Guest]

Yep Peter Mandelson is officially toast. 

But what now MUST happen is that the title of Lord and all the privileges which go with that should be removed immediately. It's a long way up the pole but it's an even longer way back down as Mandelson is finding out.   

[CPR Dave]

This thread should be updated with a new title. "Is Keith Starmer Toast?" 

 

I would say yes. This is as bad as when Boris Johnson ignored Chris Pincher's behaviour. And Starmer piled in very heavily on Johnson for that. If he doesn't resign himself now he is an enormous hypocrite and this will be very damaging  indeed.

[Spartacus]

Looks like the vultures are circling over Starmer at the moment.

Will we see a new PM for Christmas ? 

 

[alice]

Ok but who? Rayner I would’ve gone for but now it will be Streeting or Burnham. 
 

Edited September 13, 2025 by alice
Voice to text fail

[Spartacus]

Doesn't Andy Burnham have to be elected as an MP before he can become PM ? 

[HeadNun]

48 minutes ago, Spartacus said:

Doesn't Andy Burnham have to be elected as an MP before he can become PM ? 

I’ve heard rumours he’s considering stepping down as mayor, with a Labour MP in ill health, who’s an ally, considering standing down from his seat, so Burnham can run. 

I wonder if Mcsweeny will go next. Whether he goes or stays, his puppet is  dead in the water. 

I’m a big Wes Streeting fan and think we could do a lot worse. 

Edited September 13, 2025 by HeadNun
Forgot to add detail about MP

[alice]

1 hour ago, Spartacus said:

Doesn't Andy Burnham have to be elected as an MP before he can become PM ? 

It’s all fantasy, so it’s irrelevant not going to  happen. 
edit to say I’ve just read the above post very interesting

Edited September 13, 2025 by alice

[HeadNun]

Alice, I think that if Burnham did try to run, Starmer would do everything he could to block him.

I hope you’re right when you say it’s irrelevant though - I’m far from a Starmer fan but I think a leadership challenge would jeopardise our standing on the world stage, where Starmer has actually managed to do some decent work 

[Guest]

What standing on the world stage?

Starmer is a wannebe leader, no charisma, no passion, no leadership but tonnes of dithering, wringing his hands and pooing his pants. 

I'd love to see Burnham give him a run for his money. Reason he became Mayor of Manchester was due to him no longer wanting to be in front line politics. 

This thread has now gone well off topic, perhaps it needs renaming. Mandy and Keith's bathrobe Or, how Mandy stuck it to Starmer

Edited September 13, 2025 by jazzer

[CPR Dave]

2 hours ago, HeadNun said:

if Burnham did try to run, Starmer would do everything he could to block him.

This is a huge part of the problem.

 

Starmer is only interested in himself, not in what is best for our country. 

 

There's a litany of stuff he's done for spiteful jealous personal reasons which has damaged the nation enormously.

Burnham would be a much better leader than of the other dross left behind when Starmer goes.

To inflict a worse leader (and PM) upon us for his own selfish reasons would add to the problems and be entirely in keeping with his woeful premiership so far.

Edited September 13, 2025 by CPR Dave

[HeadNun]

56 minutes ago, CPR Dave said:

There's a litany of stuff he's done for spiteful jealous personal reasons which has damaged the nation enormously.

Burnham would be a much better leader than of the other dross left behind when Starmer goes.

To inflict a worse leader (and PM) upon us for his own selfish reasons would add to the problems and be entirely in keeping with his woeful premiership so far.

Do tell, CPR Dave, what the spiteful jealous stuff is - I'm intrigued. 

Agree - Burnham is a top class communicator (polar opposite of Starmer) he'd do a great job of uniting the party. I still think Wes Streeting has the edge, though I'm sure he has more enemies as well. 

[Guest]

Or Burnham for Mayor of London

[tedfudge]

Hopefully starmer will follow and go

[Spartacus]

14 hours ago, jazzer said:

Or Burnham for Mayor of London

Careful what you wish for 

That could see Khan go for PM 🫣

[Guest]

Khan is not capable of that position

And as they say "frying tonight"