MESSAGES between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Peter Mandelson prior to his appointment as US ambassador have been released.
It comes as thousands of documents and messages giving details of the appointment have been published by the UK Government, including previously classified documents and personal WhatsApp messages exchanged by the former ambassador with senior figures in the Government.
Starmer exchanges messaged with Mandelson during June and July 2024 either side of the General Election as Mandelson reported to him on what he was picking up from voters in Bury, Greater Manchester.
The messages also show Starmer took advice from Mandelson post-General Election to speak with former Tory prime minister John Major who Starmer said was "a very thoughtful man".
A message from Mandelson sent on June 27 said: "One thing picked up strongly on doorstep in Bury this morning is that people liked you saying last night that Sunak always tried to bring out the points of difference between people in order to set them apart.
"We have a lot of challenges in our country and also a lot going for us so let’s focus on what unites us and what we can do better together. This is a good last week message."
Starmer replied the next day saying: "Thanks Peter. That theme of unite not division is very powerful. People are fed up with politics treading too heavily on their lives. How did Bury seem to you?"
Mandelson came back saying: "Bury was fine at one level, a lot of angry Conservatives who want to punish them by voting for alternative or abstain.
"Quite a few going to Reform at this time. But while they feel Labour is safe to vote for – and many will – they feel they don’t know what to expect from Labour and therefore they are vulnerable to uncertainty messages – 'if I vote Labour supposing they are not true to their word or fail to find the right policies (over tax and migrants)?'"
"The Tories want to gain from an argument – 'if you are in doubt about Labour, you don’t have to take the risk' or 'if you don’t know, vote no' (to Labour)."
On July 17, after the General Election, Mandelson then messaged to Prime Minister to tell him he was off to a "flying start", suggesting he should invite John Major for "for a chat".
"Keir, hope you are well, you have got off to a flying start. I was at a dinner with John Major this evening and if you don’t know him I think good idea to invite him for a chat. As well as being a very nice person, he is interesting and thoughtful. Just a thought. No need to reply," he said.
Starmer said he would reach out to the former Tory prime minister on July 25.
"Thanks Peter. Its so good to be getting on with the job of governing. A million times better than opposition – you know that! I’ll reach out to John M, he’s a very thoughtful man. See you soon I hope."
Three 500-page documents of Peter Mandelson's vetting files were released by the Government on Monday.
The documents were ordered to be published by the House of Commons in the wake of revelations about Mandelson’s ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
It is the second batch of files relating to Keir Starmer’s ill-fated decision to give the prestigious Washington post to Mandelson rather than a career diplomat.
The peer was sacked in September 2025 just nine months into the job when more details emerged about his friendship with Epstein.
