AYESHA HAZARIKA: ‘Peter Mandelson appointment continues to carry contemporary hell and disgrace on Labour’
‘This row over Mandelson should have been sorted out behind closed doors not played out in the full glare of the public’, broadcaster and peer Ayesha Hazarika writes
The Peter Mandelson appointment continues to bring shame on the Labour party, Ayesha Hazarika says(Image: Carl Court/PA Wire)
It’s not been the best week for our (beleaguered) Prime Minister.
The original sin of appointing Peter Mandelson – for which Sir Keir Starmer has apologised sincerely – continues to belch fresh hell and great shame for the Labour Party.
The primary victims of this scandal and misjudgement are of course the victims of the Jeffrey Epstein, likely the most notorious paedophile of our generation.
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We must never forgive or forget a culture which allowed (and still allows) rich powerful men to act with impunity because they have pots of money, yachts and a profound sense of entitlement.
Let’s not beat about the bush. This whole fiasco has been a disaster. I wish we could all go back in time and that Lord Mandelson was never hired and that Sir Olly Robbins (the top man at the Foreign Office) was never fired. The latter doesn’t atone for the former.
This row over Mandelson should have been sorted out behind closed doors not played out in the full glare of the public. There’s no doubt, it was a theatrical “get the popcorn” moment when Sir Olly took his revenge against the Prime Minister, but it was also deeply damaging.
Because there’s a much bigger issue at stake rather than personal beef – it’s the relationship between ministers and civil servants which is fundamental to how to get things done. And that is the sole mission of any government.
Ministers can have all the vision and values in the world but they cannot make anything actually happen without a solid partnership with the civil service. But sadly that relationship has been strained over recent years. Dominic Cummings and Liz Truss loved to slag off the civil service for their own failings. It’s very fashionable to call the civil service insulting names like “the Blob” and blame them for everything but constantly undermining them is dangerous especially if you believe in good governance in a democratic state.
Civil servants work hard to deliver for ministers but also have to remind them of practical guardrails like the law, due process and costs. That is their job. But civil servants also want to help ministers deliver, will often go the extra mile and protect them from making mistakes. Savvy, successful Ministers who make a name for themselves get that. They look after their civil servants and they in turn have their back.
That’s not to say that the civil service doesn’t need reform and modernisation. And trust goes both ways. Ministers shouldn’t fear that their team will leak highly private internal discussions.
You may be wondering why I care so much? Because I started my career in the civil service and it was such a privilege and education to be part of a collective endeavour to get things done. This county faces so many big challenges – we need a strong respectful alliance between ministers and civil servants not public squabbles.
‘People want to feel proud of where they live’
May’s elections will of course reflect a national story but don’t forget that local issues matter. When I was out door knocking in South London, the issue of anti social behaviour was huge.
People were fed up of rampant shoplifting, drug abuse, urination and far worse, intimidating behaviour, littering and fly tipping. Many people told me that what they see when they open their front doors shapes their view of how well the country is being run.
They want to see visible policing and they also want to see people get the help they need particularly if homeless or vulnerable. They want to feel proud of where they live, not frightened. National politicians would be wise to listen.
‘King should encourage Trump to retire’
I don’t normally feel sorry for the King but as he prepares to visit Trumpland, he has my sympathy. It’s hoped this trip will make the President be all nice to us.
Given he’s just threatened more tariffs because of our digital sales tax and there’s even talk of coming after the Falklands, it’s a tall order. The best outcome? If he could persuade Trump to take early retirement and spend more time with his golf club.
‘Assisted Dying defeat is a shame’
The Assisted Dying Bill died in the House Lords on Friday which is a great shame as there was widespread public support. We rightly want more choice and comfort over birth. Isn’t it time we allow people who are about to die a greater say over how they depart this world?
