Return of Mandleson as shocking as McCain bringing back Sarah Palin

Not my words but the world of politics has been plunged in confusion by the return of 3rd Time lucky.

James Macintrye at the New Statesman catagorically refutes suggestions that Peter Mandleson had an inclining about his return to the cabinet when he gace the interview to the magazine.

First thing’s first. When the New Statesman last week talked exclusively to Peter Mandelson about his future – and Mandelson referred abstractly to the prospect of at some point coming back into the Labour fold – he categorically knew nothing of the impending move by Gordon Brown. Asked about what he might do next he was genuinely confused; he didn’t know what to say and – off the record – pointed out that it was absurd to speak about something that would not become an issue at least until late next year when his term as European Commissioner ran out.

Most of this morning's commentators think that it was a complete surprise when he was asked on Thursday to rejoin the cabinet.

But at the same magazine web pages,Martin Bright suggests that Lord Sainsbury may have had a role in this.

I might have been mistaken but I'm sure I saw Peter Mandelson having breakfast with Lord Sainsbury on at least two occasions at Labour conference in Manchester. Did anybody else see them together at a rather grand round table in the Radisson Edwardian hotel or is it just my fevered imagination?

Meanwhile the appointment has created a divisive split in comments

The Mandelson appointment is so contemptible that it deserves to be one of the most conspicuous reasons for the electorate to punish Labour when the time comes

says Simon Heffer in the Telegraph

A note of caution in the Mail whose leader says

the Prime Minister, whose reshuffle was otherwise remarkable only for the survival of those Blairites blamed for much of the recent plotting against him, should be under no illusion of what is at stake.
Mr Mandelson’s enemies are many, and will be watching closely. Any slip, or hint that he is spreading poison, doing favours for friends or greedily pursuing personal advancement will be swiftly punished

The FT reports that

John Cridland, of the CBI employers’ group, said it had shock value “equivalent to the selection of Sarah Palin”.

Sam Coates in the Times though says

Business leaders and lobbyists could barely conceal their delight at the appointment as Business Secretary of a man who has actively and enthusiastically embraced the “filthy rich” – at the cost of his own political career

Perhaps the final word thogh from Polly Toynbee this morning who says that

Labour is lacking a renewed sense of purpose, and even a return to the glory days won't help bring it back