Openly gay Labour politician and First Secretary of State Lord Peter Mandelson sits on an astonishing 35 out of 43 Government policy-making bodies, it has been revealed.
Therefore, in addition to his position as deputy chairman of the Domestic Policy Committee, he also has a say on policy-making on an incredibly diverse range of subjects, from food and flood planning to Africa and the 2012 Olympic games.
The news has been published from Downing Street shortly before members of Parliament prepare for an 83-day summer break. The truth about his level of power has raised many eyebrows – in comparison, Chancellor David Milliband only sits on 27 committees, while Gordon Brown sits on a paltry 12.
Mandelson’s rise in Government took a leap forward in June, when he chose to stand by Brown following an attempted coup against the Prime Minister’s leadership. Mandelson was subsequently awarded with the advanced title of Baron Mandelson of Foy in the country of Herefordshire and Hartlepool.
“It is quite obvious that Peter Mandelson is the real unelected Prime Minister pulling the strings at No 10,” responded Eric Pickles, chairman for the Conservative Party, while speaking to the Daily Mail. “He is Gordon Brown’s political life support machine, keeping the plotters at bay.
“He sadly typifies the Prime Minister’s unhealthy reliance on unelected officials.”