Trump to banish the Prince of Darkness?

During his time in Government, Peter Mandelson acquired the nickname “The Prince of Darkness” in recognition of his renowned Machiavellian ways. You may remember that Mandelson was forced to resign not once but twice from Government yet that did not stop him getting a peerage. Just before Christmas, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer nominated him to be the NEXT UK Ambassador to the United States and this is where it gets really interesting!

Donald Trump could reject Lord Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the US in a shock twist, a bombshell report has claimed. Sources close to the President-elect said that it is still not certain Sir Keir Starmer's pick will be accepted by Trump after he returns to the White House.

In an example of risible gaslighting, Labour has told the Trump transition team that "it is a huge compliment" that it wants to send such a key figure in the party's recent history. And the response?

“We’re not buying it”

One reason for this is it is quite possible that Mandelson’s credentials could still be rejected...There are serious concerns about his links to China."

Mandelson has been a strong advocate of closer economic ties with China, even writing an article in 2018 warning that Trump’s antipathy to China was "putting free trade at risk."

But the antipathy may run deeper.

A public rebuke of Lord Mandelson by Team Trump would be a staggering slap in the face for Starmer. I would love to see it as the very act would further de-stabilise the Starmer regime and be a huge indication of the rough seas that lie ahead for the Starmer led UK Government.