The Great and the Good

​+The inexplicable indispensability of Lord Mandelson continues to be a highlight in the news, now with the revelation that he had described paedophile Jeffrey Epstein as a ‘best pal.’ A spokesperson for the noblest of lords repeated on his behalf that he has ‘long regretted ever having been introduced to Epstein.’ It’s worth dwelling on that phrase, which at first may sound like an apology. But it isn’t. The blame rests elsewhere with the person or persons who made the introduction. At that point we can imagine Mandy salivating over said introduction, another wealthy, if dodgy friend added to his list of associates. Handy Mandy and Randy Andy must both sorely want to get their hands around the neck of whoever made the introduction, although it seems she may still be locked up for quite a while, waiting for a pardon from the MAGA man. Of course if Ghislaine Maxwell did get a pardon, it would be conditional on her not spilling the beans and our great US Ambassador will also feel obliged to keep schtum, to preserve whatever’s left of his dignity. Starmer of course doesn’t seem disturbed by any of this. It’s a cancer which he seems happy to preserve in the heart of Labour.
 
+Talking of Labour the battle to replace Angela Rayner as Deputy Leader has begun and nominations open today and close in 48 hours time, clearly allowing for a good field of candidates to emerge, not. One who has already declared her ambition, whose name I can’t immediately remember, said she wants a ‘conversation not a coronation.’ Candidates need 80 signatures, so I think the conversations will be brief to say the least. In other words, this ’contest’ is over before it even began, and Morgan McSweeney has probably already discussed with the winner the limited opportunities they will have to change anything.