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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor

Mandelson criticised Starmer’s lack of ‘verve’ and tendency to buckle under pressure

Starmer and Mandelson in dark suits stand side by side in front of windows
Keir Starmer and Peter Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence in Washington on 27 February 2025. Photograph: Alamy

Peter Mandelson exchanged WhatsApp messages with a senior cabinet minister criticising Keir Starmer’s lack of “verve” and tendency to buckle under pressure, suggesting the prime minister should behave in a more “Trumpian” fashion.

The former US ambassador said No 10 was “beleaguered and bereft” and that the public were “crying out for leadership”. In another exchange, he described both the advisers and policy coming out of No 10 as “rubbish in, rubbish out”.

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