Who runs the country?

Peter Mandelson has today  made clear beyond doubt who runs the country.  The answer, as if you didn’t already know, is: Peter Mandelson, of course. 

Ahead of Gordon Brown’s umpteenth relaunch this afternoon (more relaunches than the Rhosneigr lifeboat, as one wag put it), Mandelson has unequivocally decreed that:

• No spending plans will be set out before the general election (got that, Alistair?); and
• “We have to live within our means as a Government” (taken that on board, Gordon?).

And finally, as if to underline the fact that the Blairites are back in charge, the deployment of the killer phrase: 

“Being fiscally responsible is an important principle of New Labour.”

Hear that?  Not “Labour”.  New Labour. 

And if you don’t like that, Gordon, just think:  who else is there you can trust, or who even has the inclination, to try to save your bacon?