What we're reading: Progressive blogs

Reaction in the progressive blogosphere to Brown's reshuffle...

Reshuffle: the novice narrative
With Mandelson taking on business and enterprise in an uncertain economic times, expect to see slightly less of Alistair Darling and more of an attack-minded Mandelson on the issue of regulation - a perceived weakness of the Conservatives.

Margaret Beckett, a recognised name, is placed in housing to bring voter reassurance on mortgages and the housing market.

Both moves are designed to show Labour as a safe pair of hands and shine the spotlight on Conservative inexperience.
Posted by Theo Blackwell at mandate on 3 October 2008

More on the reshuffle
The more I think about the Mandelson appointment the more I think it was a stroke of political genius by Brown. It's brought on board someone with a unique ability to strategise, understand the electorate and win elections, but also someone with a great grasp of economic policy at a time when we need to tackle a hugely complex economic situation. The Tories are terrified of him because his presence will reassure both business and swing voters that Labour remains well and truly camped on the centre ground of British politics.
Posted by Luke Akehurst on 5 October 2008 at 9:35pm

Mandelson’s return
Mandelson would have provided ballast and intellectual direction for the Government had it not been for his second - in my view, harsh - resignation. John McDonnell has described Mandelson's appointment as a "step back into the archaeology of the recent period of Blairism". I have no reason to doubt this assessment, and I certainly hope it's true.
Posted by Oliver Kamm on 3 October 2008 at 3:52pm

Once, twice, three times a minister
This will go one of two ways. It will either be a dramatic stroke of genius or a car crash. While Mandy's a divisive figure, I do have a sneaking admiration for the man - he's Labour to the core and he's a fine political operator.
Posted by Political Hack on 3 October 2008 at 10:38pm

Oh Mandy
I am also surprised that Mandelson accepted the chance to return to Government, but having done so he has gone up massively in my estimation. Mandelson gets it, you see. He may not like Brown 100% of the time, and vice-versa, but at the end of the day, the Tories are the real enemy. What is the point of having power and influence if you only have it in Oppositon? In fact that's an oxymoronic statement if you think about it.
Posted by Keron Cross on 5 October at 10:49pm