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Wednesday 11th November 2009 | 15:55

Was Mandelson right to fight back against the Sun?

There tends to be a view among MPs, journalists and other political insiders that Mandelson's strategy of taking on the Sun is an effective move

Analysis by
PoliticsHome

Peter Mandelson has recently launched a fightback against the Sun newspaper, arguing this morning that the whole of News International was bound in a contract with the Conservatives.

Was it wise to take on Rupert Murdoch’s media clout, or should Lord Mandelson have adopted a less aggressive tone, no matter how objectionable he found the Sun’s coverage?

There is a feeling within Westminster that Mandelson was right to fight back – although a significant minority also feel that the Business Secretary’s attitude will just make relations with other NI outlets worse.

That’s the result of today’s PoliticsHome Phi100 survey, which consults a panel of political experts and insiders on the main news stories of the day. Represented on the Phi100 are MPs and peers from across the political spectrum as well as media commentators and executives, party strategists, think tank directors and academics.

Fifty per cent of the panel believe that it is a wise move for Mandelson to fight back against the Sun.

Thirty eight per cent take the opposite view, warning that this strategy is likely to sour relations with News International.

Large majorities of left-leaning and Liberal Democrat panellists back Mandelson’s aggressive approach. Right-leaning panellists are narrowly opposed, while non-aligned panellists (who include many leading media figures) are split exactly).

Public sympathy

A right-leaning media panellist said: 'The Sun has achieved the rare feat of provoking public sympathy for Brown. A very bad editorial mistake. Of course Mandelson is capitalising on this.'

A strategist described Mandelson's stance as 'unnecessary' , explaining that 'sympathy has switched to Brown and the story is now on the decline.'

A non-aligned panellists said: 'The Sun deserves criticism for its behaviour in this matter but typically Lord M goes over the top and blames every NI outlet for being beastly to Labour.'

Leave a comment...

alan

16:38 |
11 Nov 2009
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15

Of course Mandleson did not complain when the Sun did the hatchet job on John Major. Nor did this awful man complain about the Mirror's treatment of Cameron and the Conservatives. That is daily and far far worse. Class ridden smears!

Of course Mandleson never complained when McBride/Wheler and Draper where conspiring (in Number 10 never forget!!) on abusive, crude and complete lies about Conservative Party leaders!

I feel nothing for Mandleson nor Brown who have indulged in character assassination all their political lives!

Let them all rot in hell!

David Dee

16:41 |
11 Nov 2009
0

John

16:44 |
11 Nov 2009
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12

Oh! this awful man - the irony in his comments - when you think how he and Labour have behaved over the years, still behave, with their lies, smears and out and out nastiness and they have the gall to call the Tories nasty

The media of course play a huge part in pandering to this err...man

Diane

16:47 |
11 Nov 2009
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12

Nasty individual, they way he manipulates the media, he is looking more and more like yesterday's man, as is Labour.

They are all looking tired and without ideas. Time to go!

david

16:47 |
11 Nov 2009
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4

Of course peter was quite correct to criticise the SUN.

As a result of some major concessions from Cameron in his negotiations from an extremely weak position, Murdoch believes that he will rule GB if Cameron gets elected.

He has already, as part of the 'discussions' had Dominic Grieve removed, and has a commitment from Cameron that David Davis will go no where,

Peter is right to discredit them now because later may be too late when Murdoch may be PM.

Sharon

16:49 |
11 Nov 2009
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10

He isn't of course attacking the Sun he is actually attacking the Tories - and you seem to be encouraging it.

They just can't take it that the Sun have switched - still they do have their beloved Mirror!!!

Paul

16:52 |
11 Nov 2009
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6

Panto dame Mandy just can't hack it - they say they are't bother that the Sun has switched but I think they are furious.

But the real story isn't about poor Gordon it is about Mrs Janes don't forget

salvinb

17:49 |
11 Nov 2009
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5

The sanctimonious comments of Mandelson et al over the Brown letter should be judged in the context of how the Labour government and the ex Chancellor Brown in particular over a period of ten years have evaded their responsibilities toward equipping and looking after our armed services in a moral and responsible way. Fact: Our armed services, despite repeated requests, have been denied the equipment they needed to carry out their roles both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Fact: Many of the soldiers were killed and injured as a result of this inadequate equipment and protection. Fact; the furore over one ill considered and execueted letter is almost obscene when one accepts this government's culpability in it's faliure as paymaster of the British Armed Forces.

Malcolm Redfellow

18:38 |
11 Nov 2009
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2

What should concern us there is the view:

non-aligned panellists (who include many leading media figures) are split exactly).

Does that not decode to mean that many media professionals believe the Murdoch media is motivated more by the need to get even than any regard for issues on their merits?

Alan

18:56 |
11 Nov 2009
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4

This is media driven, people I know and have spoken to do not feel like that.

When you have the likes of Mandleson complaining about the Sun's politics I have to laugh - still I think Labour should enjoy this "moment" - it's the only one I'm afraid.

Even you are telling us "the public" how we feel and I'm afraid it doesn't tally.

Jonathan Cook

13:55 |
12 Nov 2009
0

The Sun should fight fire with fire and scrutinise Mandleson - as only The Sun can.

The readership (which includes me) would love to see The Sun Versus Labour's pantomime dame.

There is so much material with Mandelson. No doubt there are also plenty of resignation issues still in his cupboard.

The Sun could sell lots of newspapers and also get revenge. Why wouldn't they?

Muriel

16:15 |
12 Nov 2009
0

Dame Mandy is spinning furiously, he should be very careful

I also think the Mirror should be very careful after their rediculous story on Cameron and the remembrance garden visit which they say was a set up and inside show Gordon doing exactly the same thing!