For Peter Mandelson, the campaigning never stops

Mandelson Faces Party Complaint

Mr Mandelson allegedly broke the rules in his campaign to get elected to the National Executive Committee, the complaint from the editor of the left-wing newspaper Tribune says.

Ballot papers are being sent out to the party's 400,000 members, and candidates are supposed to refrain from campaigning, apart from a personal statement which is sent out with the forms.

But Mr Mandelson issued a press statement earlier this week which has been interpreted as an attack on the left-winger Ken Livingstone, a rival candidate for the NEC seat vacated by the Chancellor, Gordon Brown. Mr Mandelson said on Monday: "Unlike Ken Livingstone, who is also reported as standing, I am a strong supporter and ally of Gordon Brown."

"Breach of Rules"

Tribune editor Mark Seddon has written to the party's General Secretary, Tom Sawyer, claiming Mr Mandelson appeared to be in "clear breach of the rules". But a Labour spokesman said Mr Mandelson had not done anything wrong by merely having a press profile during the election to the NEC.

The complaint came as Mr Mandelson called on his party to maintain internal party discipline. Writing in The Guardian newspaper he insisted he would not allow himself to be sidetracked by "infighting or introspection".

Mr Mandelson predicted that there would "always be individuals who are more interested in internal argument and fighting their own side rather than working collectively and taking on the Tories". But he warned that Labour would "not succeed as a government if we return to the days when ministers and party were at odds".

He said he wanted the NEC to be "a first-rate administrative body to run the party's affairs. In seeking election I am seeking to make myself accountable to the membership in the work I do for the party".

The Big Picture

Mr Mandelson defined three core function for the NEC: maintaining the party's election-winning professionalism; co-ordinating a consistent campaign promoting the Government and attacking the Tories; and keeping the Government in touch with party members and the British people.

Mr Mandelson also used the Guardian article to defend his role as the Government's spin doctor. He saw his job as "keeping sight of the big picture" and ensuring that manifesto pledges were kept.

At the same time the remarks will be seen as a bid to knock down suggestions that Mr Mandelson is at odds with senior colleagues over his high profile during Prime Minister Tony Blair's holiday absence.

On Monday the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, likened Mr Mandelson to a crab in an apparently mocking jibe at his bid to join the NEC, although both men later played down the comments as light-hearted banter.