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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
John Crace

No more get-out clauses, no way back. It’s surely the end for Peter Mandelson, finally

Peter Mandelson
From Tony Blair to George Osborne, all Mandy’s friends were suddenly silent. Photograph: Carl Court/Reuters

This is the end, beautiful friend, the end. There have been many Peter Mandelson resignations. Twice from the cabinet, once as the UK ambassador to Washington. But the announcement late on Sunday night that Mandelson was resigning from the Labour party somehow felt more final.

In the past, there had always been get-out clauses. Unexpected routes back to the centre of power. Not this time. Somewhat late in the day, the establishment had closed every door. For the first time in decades, Mandy was truly on his own. You might ask what had taken everyone so long. Mandelson hadn’t exactly made much effort to hide his tracks.

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