Peter Mandelson is fleeing the House of Lords: now let's throw out all the other rogues and idlers | Jenny Jones

"Patronage first lifted Mandelson into the Lords in 2008, despite his being forced to resign twice as a minister. The first resignation came in 1998 when he failed to declare a home loan from a millionaire backer; the second time, in 2001, was because he helped a millionaire funder for the Millennium Dome get a British passport. So elevation to the Lords allowed him to maintain influence despite his conduct losing him two ministerial positions."

"Mandelson's career is littered with dishonesty and scandal, but many (so-called) sensible voices in the media and politics argued he was the right man to represent our country on the world stage. The truth is that everyone knew the risks, but no one cared because everyone assumes that corruption is the norm. In a world dominated by rich and powerful men, Mandelson was a go-between, close to important people and the corridors of power."

"Mandelson will not return to the Lords, but among the remaining peers, what amounts to cash for access is often done subtly and within the rules. So where are the political checks and balances that voters used to expect? A report last February showed that nearly 100 members of the Lords were paid to give political or policy advice by commercial firms. One former minister earned millions of pounds by working for 30 companies. Multiple peers are being paid by foreign governments, including repressive regimes."

Peter Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords but can legally retain the title until an act of parliament or death removes it. Patronage elevated him to the Lords in 2008 despite earlier forced resignations in 1998 and 2001 over a concealed home loan and assistance to a millionaire funder seeking a passport. Keir Starmer later appointed him US ambassador despite documented links to Epstein. His career contains repeated scandal and dishonesty while peers in the Lords often earn money advising firms or foreign governments, creating subtle cash-for-access relationships and blurred boundaries between politics and business.

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