Labour Party Hierachy?

While Gordon Brown (Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service) is on holiday it would appear from reports that this week Harriet Harman (Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal) has been 'in charge', with Peter Mandelson (Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, First Secretary and Lord President of the Council) due to 'take over' next week.

It is logical to assume that if the leader of an organisation is absent, then the second-in-command, the deputy leader, assumes responsibility for the entire duration of the leader's absence. This begs the question of why Mandelson, he of the longest title in politics, will be 'minding the shop' next week, in place of Harman, the current deputy leader.

Maybe it is due to the fact that as Harriet has been attempting to 'pilot' her ideas to the fore, Mandelson will be adopting his normal role of 'rear gunner', thus protecting the leader's back from the possible damage caused by further queer ideas?

Just thinking.............