Lord Mandelson expected to be named as UK ambassador to US
Lord Mandelson is set to be appointed as the UK’s next ambassador to the United States.
The prominent Labour figure, who held several key ministerial positions under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown before becoming a life peer in the House of Lords, was widely considered a leading contender for the role.
He will succeed Dame Karen Pierce, whose tenure in Washington DC is due to end in early 2025.
As a key architect of New Labour, Lord Mandelson has been a significant advisor to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer leading up to the 2024 election. During the campaign, he co-hosted the “How To Win An Election” podcast for The Times, and served as a trustee of the Design Museum and chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University.
Although his name was mentioned in connection with the chancellorship of the University of Oxford, a position he once held in high regard, it ultimately went to former Conservative leader Lord William Hague.
Sir David Manning, who was the UK’s ambassador to the US from 2003 to 2007, described Lord Mandelson as a “highly articulate, extremely intelligent, and very experienced operator” on BBC Radio 4’s The World Tonight. However, he also warned that the role would involve navigating several contentious issues, including climate change, relations with China, and Middle Eastern affairs.
In an interview with the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg in November, Lord Mandelson confirmed that no one had approached him about the ambassador position. However, he expressed a preference for a “new relationship” rather than a “special one” with the US, and stated he would be “very interested” in advising on trade matters for whoever is appointed.
His appointment comes ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, 2025. Trump has pledged to impose broad tariffs on his first day in office, a move experts suggest could cost the UK £22bn.
Responding to Trump’s statements, Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of avoiding tariffs and reiterated his aim to improve trade relations with Washington.
A government source commented, “The Prime Minister’s decision to make a political appointment by sending Lord Mandelson to Washington underscores how significant we view our relationship with the Trump administration.”
“We’re sending someone close to the prime minister with unrivalled political and policy experience, particularly on the crucial issue of trade. He’s the ideal candidate to represent the UK’s economic and security interests in the USA.”
Both the White House and Trump campaign were notified of the appointment in advance.
Speaking to the News Agents podcast in November, Lord Mandelson said the new Trump presidency was going to have a profound impact on the security and economic stability of the rest of world.
“It’s absolutely essential that we establish a relationship with President Trump that enables us not only to understand and interpret what he’s doing but to influence it”, he said.
He added that the Labour government should try to “reconnect” with Trump’s ally and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has been critical of Sir Keir’s government and has been appointed head of new advisory team the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).
Lord Mandelson was the Labour MP for Hartlepool from 1992 to 2004, during which time he served as Northern Ireland secretary and business secretary under Blair. He stood down as an MP in 2004 to become a European Commissioner.
He also resigned twice as a minister – once for failing to declare a home loan from a cabinet colleague, and a second time over accusations of using his position to influence a passport application.
