Lord Peter Mandelson has claimed he is a ''good role model'' for gay people because of the success he achieved in public life!
Peter Mandelson was a key player in the Tony Blair Labour Government in the UK holding many posts and positions and was also a European Commissioner.
In a video interview with The Times newspaper in the UK to publicise his memoirs, Lord Mandelson was asked about his position as ''the most powerful gay man in the country'' during the time he was first secretary of state and effectively the number two in Gordon Brown's administration.
His reply : ''I would hate to think that I take a stand because I have one sexuality, or one sexual orientation" He went on to say ''I think it's important that people should be able to get to the top of politics – or whatever profession they aspire to travel to the top of – irrespective of what they are.
''I think I'm actually quite a good role model for people who, without any fuss or bother, without any self-consciousness or inverse or other discrimination, (are) able to make it in politics, to make it in public life, to make it to the top places in government of our country.
''That shows a lot of people that you don't have to be worried or ashamed or self-conscious. It's your ability that counts. You can be who you are, what you are and still get to the top in Britain.
''I'm rather proud of that. If I've demonstrated that, and provided a role model for that, then I think I've done a service.''
There are many that would agree, he has been a major player in the UK labour party since 1992 when he became the MP for Hartlepool.
"I think for a gay man to get to such heights is amazing" Andrew, a 40 year old researcher from London told me yesterday, adding "Yes, his reputation has been called in to question a few times and there have been some pretty outrageous decisions coming from him, he's still been at the forefront of the Labour party for the last 20 years"
For many Peter Madelson was seen as the driving force behind the re-branding of Labour as 'New Labour in the early and mid 90's which in no small part was responsible for the massive landslide election victory in 1997.
Jason Shaw
UK Correspodent
GayAgenda.com
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