- Sun Jan 11, 2026 7:37 pm
#103409
Did I tell you all my Mandelson story already? I must surely have done.
It was 2004, and I was working in the Birmingham Hodge Hill by-election (the one that got Liam Byrne elected). It was a full-on affair, working our collective bollocks off.
Anyhow, we were out on the doorsteps one day doing something called “blitzing”. The idea is that you sweep along the street in a big group, and we foot soldiers knock on people's doors. When you get somebody in, you ask if they want to meet the candidate, or in a high-profile by-election like this, whatever shadow minister you have along with you. I had knocked on one door and was interrogating a wee Brummie wifie on the door step : “Hello, I’m from the Labour Party. Will you be voting in the by-election ?” when I became aware that she was distracted by something happening over my shoulder. It was Mandelson, slithering up the garden path like Ka from The Jungle Book, extending a hand towards our voter : “Helloooo” intoned Mandy, in a voice that reminded me of no-one so much as Leslie Phillips. Recognising Mandy instantly, the woman practically melted right there on the doorstep. She was absolutely star-struck, and clearly bloody loved him. Another vote definitely in the bag.
It was one of the most remarkable things I’ve ever witnessed. What an absolute charmer Peter was - and how are the mighty fallen.
"The opportunity to serve our country: that is all we ask.” John Smith, May 11, 1994.