Lord Mandelson makes grab for levers of power

Lord Mandelson's dominance over the Government was revealed today as it emerged that Gordon Brown has handed him unprecedented influence.

Downing Street said the Business Secretary, who also has the title of First Secretary of State, is now a member of no fewer than 35 key Cabinet committees.

The move means that Lord Mandelson has an input on policy on everything from swine flu to climate change, from the economy to Afghanistan, from the Olympics to crime.

Together with his unofficial role as a daily adviser to Mr Brown and his huge Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, the peer's new roles mean that he is effectively deputy prime minister in all but name.

But unlike John Prescott or Michael Heseltine, Lord Mandelson's roles extend across huge areas of government activity, a fact that will be underlined when he takes over while Mr Brown is on holiday this summer.

Conservative Party chairman Eric Pickles said: "It is quite obvious that Peter Mandelson is the real unelected prime minister pulling the strings from No 10.

"He is Gordon Brown's political life support machine, keeping the plotters at bay. He sadly typifies the Prime Minister's unhealthy reliance on unelected officials." Lord Mandelson's influence is seen by MPs as a reward for the key role he played in foiling the attempt to topple the Prime Minister. He is believed to have persuaded ministers such as Foreign Secretary David Miliband to stay in post and get behind Mr Brown for one last time.

His expanding remit has recently prompted speculation that he could become a potential Labour leader next year if he decides to quit as a peer and run as an MP again.

Lord Mandelson is a member of 80 per cent of the 43 Cabinet committees and sub-committees. Mr Prescott never attended more than 17 Cabinet committees.

But Lord Mandelson is relied on by Mr Brown to act as his cross-Whitehall troubleshooter, often deputising for him on key subjects.

The peer is deputy chairman of the crucial Domestic Policy Committee and chairs the Post Office network sub-committee.

He also sits on Cabinet committees covering Africa, children and schools, local government, security, housing, food, energy and trade.

Lord Mandelson was handed his new title of First Secretary of State in the reshuffle last month. He was also give a new, expanded department of Business, Innovation and Skills, which boasts the largest number of ministers in Whitehall. He has 11 ministers who report to him on everything from trade to universities and manufacturing.

Along with Ed Balls, he is part of the tight inner circle of trusted ministers who brief Mr Brown across all policy areas.

The expanding Mandelsonia empire
Lord Mandelson now sits on the following Cabinet committees:
National Economic Council
Better Regulation
Democratic Renewal Council
Domestic Policy Council (which he deputy chairs)
Domestic Affairs
Borders and Migration
Communities and Equalities
Food
Families, Children and Young People
Health and Wellbeing
Justice and Crime
Local Government and the Regions (which he chairs)
Public Engagement and the Delivery of Services
Life Chances
Talent and Enterprise
Economic Development
Environment and Energy
Housing, Planning and Regeneration
Olympic and Paralympic Games
Productivity, Skills and Employment
Constitution
National Security, International Relations and Development
Europe
Overseas and Defence
Africa
Afghanistan and Pakistan
Trade
Protective Security and Resilience
Public Services and Public Expenditure
Public Sector Pay and Pensions
Pandemic Influenza Planning
Post Office Network (which he chairs)
Flood planning
PM's ad hoc Committee on International Climate Change
PM's ad hoc International Climate Change Negotiations