Trump's Visit and Mandelson's Sacking.

Donald Trump's visit to the UK could not have come at a worse time for Sir Keir Starmer. Peter Mandelson was let go by Sir Keir when he found out he had been involved with Epstein. Given Epstein's penchant for underage girls, Starmer had no choice but to sack Mandelson. Everyone who has ever mixed with Epstein has been tarnished. One well remembers the car crash interview of Prince Andrew. Even Trump has been implicated, but it seems that Trump broke off the friendship for whatever reason. Epstein must be laughing with Satan at the chaos he is still causing beyond the grave.

When Peter Mandelson was appointed as the British Ambassador, Sir Keir did it for a reason. Mandelson was the man who could tame the beast, Trump. Like a male spider with a female spider, Mandelson had the words to calm and reassure Trump. He wasn't called the "Trump Whisperer" for nothing. As evidence, when the UK-US trade deal was unveiled in the Oval Office, it was seen as a triumph. Sir Keir, in choosing Mandelson despite his reputation as being called "The Prince of Darkness", seemed vindicated. However, Sir Keir was warned about Mandelson's reputation for controversy and trouble. In past appointments in the Blair government, Mandelson had been appointed and sacked over some misdemeanour. So history repeated itself as Mandelson's friendship with Epstein was uncovered. So Sir Keir had to let go of Mandelson once more into the political wilderness.

The trade deal struck between the US and the UK has not lived up to the promise it made. Also, with Sir Keir's right-hand woman, who may or may not have known what she was doing, Angela Rayner, stepping down, Trump's visit could not have come at a worse time. All this baggage for Starmer has only added fuel to the fire on the controversial visit (as some see it) of Trump. Also, the gulf between European leaders and Trump over Ukraine is growing. Trump seems to value Putin over Zelenskyy. Also, over Netanyahu, as European leaders pull away from Israel and threaten sanctions. Trump, for all of Netanyahu's shenanigans, stands shoulder to shoulder with Israel. Trump always did have a penchant for dictators, as when he looks at Netanyahu and Putin, he sees himself reflected.

It will take time for Sir Keir to replace Mandelson. The departure of Mandelson has created a vast hole in Sir Keir's thinking. Mandelson, for all of his faults, had the snake tongue to wrap Trump around his finger to a certain extent. Will a new ambassador have that tongue to stroke Trump's ego? It is unlikely that any person will have the slithering, snake-like presence that Mandelson had.

So who could eventually and it will be eventually replace Mandelson? Sir Keir could reappoint Mandelson's predecessor, Kate Pierce. However, that would make the Prime Minister look silly as he had called Ms. Pierce home to replace her with Mandelson. Or it could be with hindsight that Starmer now wishes he had kept Ms. Pierce in post. Of course, Sir Keir won't admit that in public. Did Sir Keir know of Mandelson's connection to Epstein? He certainly knew of Mandelson's previous bad track record. What made him think he could trust Mandelson? He must have known he was taking a chance in appointing him. So, today, with Trump about to meet Sir Keir, the Prime Minister now has egg on his face. But before we condemn him, we all make mistakes. It's possible that without Mandelson, for all his faults, we would not have the US-UK Trade Deal, even though that has now been shown to fall short of what it promised.