Who would have predicted the resurrection of the Labour politician who had not only resigned twice from the Cabinet but had been involved in a 15 year feud with the man who is now prime minister, writes Philip Johnston. It is an astute move by Gordon Brown because it shores up his flank in the party against the Blarites baying for his blood. How can the Blairites stage a putsch when the chief champion of Blairism has gone back. Mr Brown's speech at the party conference in Manchester helped underpin him as has the global financial crisis, which has helped him in the polls as voters look to experience to get the country through. On the other hand it is testament to Mr Brown's weakness that in order to reinforce his premiership and leadership he needs to invite an enemy into the tent. Philip Johnston Daily Telegraph
The Mole: Mandelson's return is bound to get the whisperers going again
In pictures: Mandy's back
Full article: Peter Mandelson return is a sign of weakness

Mandy’s back! The astonishing news that Peter Mandelson has been brought in to shore up Gordon Brown's ailing government will send varied currents of excitement, disbelief, fear and loathing coursing around the political world, writes Martin Kettle. Both Labour and Tory strategists treat him with the same sort of awe that wartime Allied strategists thought of Rommel, a man who can change the game, a lucky general, an infinitely wily opponent. Mandelson will not have been brought back primarily to head a department. He will be there as the senior political counsellor in the cabinet. His return is a clear statement that the Brownites were not up to it. Where do Ed Balls, Douglas Alexander, Ed Miliband, the putative new chief whip Nick Brown – and the Downing Street media operation – all stand with someone like Mandelson now in the room? Martin Kettle The Guardian
Newsdesk: Mandelson returns in reshuffle
Full article: Peter Mandelson is back!

As a true progressive within the police, Sir Ian belongs to a breed that is too rare, says a Guardian leader. As Boris Johnson and the home secretary pointed out yesterday, crime fell during the period of his office. The bungled response to Stockwell meant that before long Mr Blair might well soon have had to go. But how much better it would have been for him to depart on an issue of policing, rather than on issues of politics. There may be satisfaction in some conservative circles at seeing an unpopular liberal policeman bounced out of office by a Tory mayor. But by his actions Mr Johnson has set a disturbing precedent.    Leader The Guardian
Full article: A very unBritish coup
Jacqui Smith angry after Tories oust Blair
Sir Ian Blair: no shame at the top

Sir Ian Blair should have gone sooner, says a Telegraph leader. His time in the post has been noteworthy for its egregious political correctness, a rapid rise in the stabbings of teenagers and, ironically given Sir Ian's "progressive" credentials, a row over alleged racial discrimination, resulting in the suspension of two senior Muslim officers. Morale has collapsed, senior officers are in despair and the force - or service, as it has been rebranded - has lost its way. It is extraordinary, given the long list of calamities over which Sir Ian has presided, that Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, should see fit to describe him in glowing terms rather than acknowledge the good judgment of London's mayor in trying to start afresh.   Leader Daily Telegraph
Full article: Ian Blair's successor will have work cut out

‘Cool’ and ‘maverick’: this election is unique in the extent to which each candidate has become associated with a single word, says Ben Macintyre. Even more extraordinary is the way these terms represent both the best and the worst in the two men who would be president. Both words are double-edged. As he responded to the failing American economy and the failed Wall Street bailout this week, Mr Obama was the epitome of cool: loose-limbed, joking and apparently unruffled. But he was also the less attractive side of cool, which verges on cold. McCain prides himself on marching to the beat of his own drum, but too much solo drumming can lead to deafness.    
Ben Macintyre The Times
Full article: Two words that spell trouble for US voters
Alexander Cockburn: Palin could be new Reagan

The machinery of global economic governance barely exists, says Peter Mandelson. Mechanisms for cross-border cooperation in Europe exist but they are incomplete. Internationally, the problem is even more acute. Coordination mechanisms among central bankers and regulators exist, but they are weak. They are also skewed towards an economic order that is increasingly outdated. The large emerging economies - especially China - are growing sources of capital and economic demand. It is 64 years since the Bretton Woods conference put in place the basic machinery of modern global economic coordination. It is time for a Bretton Woods for this century.  Peter Mandelson The Guardian
Full article: In defence of globalisation

Mr Cameron's main claim to our attention is that he is a new type of Tory: “I get the modern world,” he said. But if he gets the modern world, he doesn't seem to like it very much. Exams have been dumbed down; the Army doesn't have enough helicopters; people should jolly well get married and stay married; and it's impossible to have a business because regulation makes it illegal.  Oh dear. This is the impromptu rant of the man in the Pringle jumper at the 19th hole. This wasn't the only speech Mr Cameron gave. There was another one, all about ending child poverty, loving the NHS, a clean environment, pulling up the roots of crime and opening up life chances. So who is David Cameron? Philip Collins The Times
Full article: Does David Cameron really think we're going to the dogs?
Why Cameron’s speech didn’t really matter