Peter Mandelson has been a pivotal figure in shaping modern British politics, but his Machiavellian tactics and questionable choice in friends have courted controversy, earning him the nickname, the “Prince of Darkness”.
Mandelson, along with Tony Blair, were the co-architects of “New Labour”, which transformed the UK Labour Party in the 1990s into an election-winning juggernaut that made the country a beacon of economic and social liberalism.
But unlike Blair, Mandelson appeared more comfortable operating in the background, plotting strategy and building up a global network of contacts that current Prime Minister Keir Starmer hopes will help him smooth over rocky relations with incoming US president Donald Trump.
Starmer confirmed on Friday the appointment of Mandelson as the next ambassador to the United States.
The 71-year-old’s deep knowledge of international trade is also likely to be a key asset given Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on imported goods.
The remarkable comeback is testament to Mandelson’s resilience, but has also raised eyebrows due to his chequered political history.