I think it's a move which says Brown is more shrewd than we thought.

I bumped into Mandelson a couple of times taking coffee in Marylebone High Street of a Saturday morning.

Mandelson is a former MP who was twice forced to resign due to improper conduct. I'm not sure how somebody who is no longer an elected representative of the people can become a government minister. It makes a mockery of the entire democratic process - whether you approve of that process or not.

Mandy has been brought in to help - as an olde boye of Hendon Grammar School he grew up with most of the monied banker Jews in the 60s.

Those contacts are vital to BROWN as he tries to get the UK out of this mess. Brown has met with ROTHSCHILDS this week as well.

The money in the World is owned by this elite group of bankers - our country needs access to these people. Mandy is a friend of these people - hence whether Brown likes it or not right now he has to be in the Cabinet.

Democracy died in 2003 when we went to war with Iraq. We now live in state jointly run by bankers and the media who do their bidding.

Mandy is as JK suggests an incredibly shrewd move by Brown - possibly his best decision since becoming Prime Minister and with immaculate timing.

Getting very interesting now........

this is a clever move by Brown, as is the return of Margaret Beckett.

By the way, it's not unheard of for someone who is not an MP to be a minister- Lord Carrington in Thatcher's cabinet for example.

I've got to be honest - this move has seriously impressed me - it shows Brown does not hold a grudge and seems more keen on sorting things out than rewarding his mates.

I'm quite amazed to see Mandelson back. Everyone deserves a second chance, but this maan has twice abused his position as MP. No matter how much ability he has, or how many contacts, he has betrayed the trust of the electorate and it is reckless to put him in yet another position of high responsibility.

Lord Carrington was a member of Parliament (Lords) when he was given a government post. Mandelson is going to be made a member of the House of Lords only after he has been given his Ministerial job.

My father, a staunch Labour supporter, has told me today that because of this act he will not be voting Labour so long as Brown is in charge. I never voted for them anyway.

Denise,I take your point about Lord Carrington already being a peer when he became minister, but he was not a member of parliament- i.e. an elected member of the House of Commons. Lord Carrington was a hereditary peer.

I don't defend Peter Mandelson 100%. It should be said that the second time he had to resign (over the passport affair) he was eventually acquitted.

I think that whatever you think about Mandelson, he is a formidable talent, as is Margaret Beckett. I am naturally a Lib Dem voter and was very anti Brown, but I have to say he is showing some nerve at the moment andmay be bringing in the right talents.

Parliament is made up of both Houses, Lords and Commons.

History is full of leaders who showed nerve. Hitler appointed some very clever talents. There has to also be a degree of integrity.

but the term MP (Member of Parliament) is only applied to elected members of the House of Commons, not people who get a seat in the House of Lords just because of who ther ancestors were.

as always, how long is it on an internet forum before someone mentions Hitler- it's a known rule lol. Gordon Brown is not Hitler.

I think the comparison is rather stupid.

we have a prime minister that wasn't elected or chosen by the public, so what's new?

It's quite obvious that I was not comparing Brown to Hitler. I merely point out that the hiring of intelligent people is not always a sign of good government.

It is true that the House of Lords is part of Parliament. Both Commons and Lords hold Members of Parliament, but only members of the Commons are referred to as MPs because the Lords are referred to as Lords. A bit like when consultants are referred to as Mr or Mrs/Miss rather than as Doctor, but they are all still Doctors.

The two Houses of Parliament are explained on the website.
http://www.parliament.co.uk

I was a supporter of Hereditary Peers because their families have served this nation for many generations, putting the people before party politics. Their monies mostly go into their communities. Many of the Aristocats are far less rich than the current Life Peers who sit in the House as a career, follow the party line and put virtually none of their money back into their communities. I went to seek out one Lord and asked a local man working in a ditch where he could be found. Turned out he was the Lord. He saw working to maintain and improve his community as one of his duties. They are nothing like the popular media image of lazy port swilling leeches.

Goodness me, the bile and invective poured on this appointment by the meeeeejah - no surprise there - IT'S A GREAT STORY!

And that's all that matters to the meeeeejah.

Is he good at his job? Yes. Might this be really good for the economy? Yes. Might this benefit the country? Yes.

But best of all... he's gay, he's the Prince of Darkness, we can rip him to shreds even if he does a superb job... PERFECT!