Lord Glasman Warns Downing Street Over Mandelson Appointment
London, 8 February 2026 – Lord Maurice Glasman, the academic and architect of the “Blue Labour” movement, has emerged as a central figure in a growing political storm involving Number 10. Recent disclosures reveal that Lord Glasman issued formal warnings to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, regarding the appointment of Lord Mandelson as the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Washington. The warnings, reportedly delivered via a detailed memo, highlighted concerns over Mandelson’s historical links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Warnings “Ignored” by Number 10
The controversy intensified this week following reports that Lord Glasman sent a dossier to Downing Street shortly before the ambassadorial appointment was finalised. Speaking to the media, Lord Glasman suggested that his attempts to flag these concerns were met with a “discreet suggestion to basically shut up.” The memo was reportedly drafted after Glasman attended an event in Washington DC hosted by Nigel Farage, ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Labour MPs are now calling for transparency from Keir Starmer, questioning whether the Prime Minister was personally made aware of the peer’s warnings. The Blue Labour group has issued a robust statement following these revelations, criticising what they describe as the “moral and intellectual rot” within the party’s current trajectory.
Profile: Maurice Glasman, Baron Glasman
Lord Glasman is a prominent political theorist and social commentator known for founding Blue Labour, a faction that advocates for a return to traditional working-class values, community organising, and a rejection of neoliberal economics. A senior lecturer at London Metropolitan University, he was elevated to the House of Lords as a life peer in 2011.
Key Facts: Lord Maurice Glasman
The following table outlines the professional and academic background of Lord Glasman based on established records.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maurice Glasman, Baron Glasman |
| Title | Labour Life Peer |
| Academic Position | Senior Lecturer in Political Theory, London Metropolitan University |
| Education | Cambridge University (Modern History); University of York (MA); European University Institute, Florence (PhD) |
| Key Ideology | Founder of “Blue Labour” |
| Current Roles | Director of the Faith and Citizenship Programme; Director of the Common Good Foundation |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Blue Labour?
Blue Labour is a political movement within the Labour Party, pioneered by Maurice Glasman. It emphasises “family, faith, and flag,” arguing that the party must reconnect with the conservative social values of the working class while maintaining a radical stance on economic reform and localism.
Why did Lord Glasman oppose Lord Mandelson’s appointment?
Lord Glasman raised concerns regarding the “unwise” nature of the appointment, specifically citing Lord Mandelson’s previous associations with Jeffrey Epstein. He argued that such links could pose a reputational risk to the UK government, particularly in its dealings with the United States administration.
What was the response from Downing Street?
While Downing Street has faced renewed pressure to address the matter, reports suggest that the initial warnings provided by Lord Glasman were dismissed. Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney is currently facing calls from some Labour MPs to clarify his role in handling the memo.