“Peter’s appointment sends a strong signal that we are serious about maintaining and strengthening our relationship with the US,” said Starmer in a statement. “His experience and expertise will be invaluable in navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
Mandelson’s appointment has received mixed reactions, with some praising his credentials and others criticizing his past controversies. But with the UK facing uncertain times ahead, many believe that having a seasoned diplomat like Mandelson in Washington could be crucial in securing favorable trade deals and maintaining diplomatic relations with the incoming administration.
Only time will tell if Mandelson’s appointment will prove to be successful, but one thing is clear – the UK government is banking on his experience and skills to navigate the complex political landscape in Washington.
„They’ll like the fact that Peter has a reputation for ruthlessness,” said one Foreign Office insider.
Mandelson’s belief that Britain can “have its cake and eat it” by fostering good trade relations simultaneously with Washington, Brussels and Beijing chimes exactly with Starmer’s own view that he set out in his foreign policy speech at Guildhall earlier this month.
Starmer said on Friday: “Peter will bring unrivalled experience to the role and take our partnership [with the US] from strength to strength.” Lammy said it was “wonderful to welcome Peter back to the team”.
Mandelson, co-founder of the Global Counsel advisory group, said: “It’s a great honour to serve the country in this way.” He has told friends that he will put his business interests “into cold storage” while in his new job.
Lord Kim Darroch, UK ambassador to Washington during the first Trump presidency, said most diplomats would accept the case for inserting a political appointee into the Edwin Lutyens-designed ambassador’s residence at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue.
He told the FT: “These are especially turbulent and fragile times. It’s not just about Trump 2 but it’s about Ukraine, China and Nato. In these circumstances it’s good to have someone who can literally pick up the phone to the PM.”
For Mandelson it has been a good end to the year, following his disappointment last month at being beaten by Lord William Hague for the chancellorship of Oxford university.
On Monday he was in hospital having an operation on an aneurysm in the lower aorta, which friends say was “entirely successful”. His new posting in Washington is expected to start early in 2025.