As questions grow over Peter Mandelson scandal, Keir Starmer needs a miracle

“Give me lucky generals.” This remark – often attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte despite a disappointing lack of evidence he said it – may be playing on the minds of Labour MPs as they observe Keir Starmer’s latest attempts to defend himself.

The Prime Minister certainly came out fighting over the Peter Mandelson scandal, saying the former US ambassador had “betrayed our country, our parliament and my party”.

"He lied repeatedly to my team when asked about his relationship with [sex offender Jeffrey] Epstein before and during his tenure as ambassador. I regret appointing him,” Starmer said.

READ MORE: Peter Mandelson-Jeffrey Epstein scandal shows urgent need for House of Lords reform

Keir Starmer told the Commons that Peter Mandelson had 'betrayed our country, our parliament and my party' (Picture: House of Commons/UK Parliament) | PA

U-turns, climbdowns and farces

Unfortunately, he has other reasons for regret, with a string of policy U-turns since the party’s 2024 election win. Normally, having a massive majority ensures the government can virtually do what it likes. Not so for Starmer, with climbdowns over winter fuel payments for pensioners, farmers’ inheritance tax, disability benefits and more.

Labour has stuck to its guns over its refusal to pay compensation to the ‘Waspi women’, but the way the decision was taken was farcical – turning them down, then deciding to reconsider, then once again rejecting payouts.

There are suggestions Starmer may attempt to deflect blame for Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador by offering up his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, as a sacrificial lamb.

However, ‘blame McSweeney’ is a card that’s been played before and, as our Westminster Correspondent Andrew Quinn notes, most people outside politics “do not know who Mr McSweeney is – or what he does – so his sacking would relieve very little pressure on the PM”.

READ MORE: John Swinney orders audit of Scottish Government's dealings with Peter Mandelson

By failing to accurately assess the strength of support for his policies, in the country and among his own troops, Starmer has been creating the impression that he is a bad general.

Given the regularity of his missteps, supporters may reach the conclusion that he is also an unlucky one – and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar may be cursing his own to have such an unpopular Prime Minister as the Holyrood elections loom.

But even that is overly charitable. Starmer increasingly looks like the author of his own misfortunes and now needs a miracle if he is to last the year.