Starmer Rules Out Future Government Role for Mandelson
Labour leader Keir Starmer has firmly indicated that Peter Mandelson will not have a role in future government appointments, stating, “Not in a government role in terms of future appointments,” when questioned by reporters. This comment comes amidst ongoing discussions regarding Mandelson’s political future, reports 24brussels.
Starmer further declined to include Mandelson in the Labour Party’s return to parliament as a member of the House of Lords, emphasizing that the “issue of the whip doesn’t arise” while Mandelson remains on a leave of absence.
Mandelson, who served under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, was made a life peer in 2008 to facilitate his role as business secretary. However, he has been on leave since January 2025, having taken on a significant diplomatic position as the U.K. ambassador to Washington. Sources familiar with his status, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that Mandelson has not yet applied to return from his leave.
Insiders have noted that Mandelson currently has “no present plan” to re-enter the House of Lords. An application for his return would necessitate a three-month notice period, further extending his absence from frontline politics.
