Mandelberc

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Mandelberc

MandelbercPhotoshop01.jpeg

Peter Mandelson / John Bercow
Names Mandelberc, Mandelcow
Description Hand holding and decades long feuding

The Dark Lord and Speaker.

History[edit | edit source]

Both served at separate times on Lambeth Council and missed each other by four years. In the late 1980s, after the Tories' third election victory, Bercow was working at Rowland Sallingbury Casey - a public affairs company that was later taken over by Saatchi & Saatchi. While Mandelson was working to re-brand Labour and get it electable from within the Party, Bercow was doing much the same thing for the Conservatives from outside the party. Is it not highly likely then, with Mandelson being one of the best and well known PR strategists that Bercow kept and eye on him even then?

Despite his boss trying to persuade him otherwise, Bercow eventually left the PR world to become a Tory SpAd and went on to win his Buckingham seat in the 1997 general election. Bercow made quite the impression, quickly becoming the Tory attack dog, not to mention being declared the 5th best looking male MP (one place ahead of Blair) in Ian Dale's book The Unofficial Book of Political Lists. Despite all this, Bercow was having a hard time with regards to his love life - rumours of homosexuality followed him everywhere and MPs heckled him by saying his fantastic memory and witty remarks were all well and good, but they'd rather have a sex life - Bercow had been single for a number of years.

Support[edit | edit source]

Periodic "Benchmarking"[edit | edit source]

One of their earliest encounters caught on film.

One of the pair's earliest recorded encounters takes place during the Select Committee on Trade and Industry in 1998. Bercow, a rising star in the Tory Party who was famed for his relentless attacks on Labour, attempted to make a serious political career for himself through committee work. It would seem, however, that his growing feelings for the Labour Cabinet minister got in the way somewhat, as was evidenced by their exchanges throughout the sittings.

Mr. Bercow: It is clear enough conceptually but not in terms of practical politics.

Chairman: It is very clear. I think when you come back to us next year having been in office for perhaps 16 months we may be in a better position to test your hopes against Mr Bercow's—

Mr. Bercow: Scepticism.

Chairman: Scepticism. I was going to say pessimism.

Mr. Mandelson: I am a great believer in benchmarking so I am very happy to be benchmarked by the hon. gentlemen. Not day in day out perhaps.

Mr. Bercow: Once in a while.

Mr. Mandelson: Periodically.

Chairman: The Post Office, Secretary of State

I Want To Hold Your Hand[edit | edit source]

Probably the most well known of Mandelbercian interactions, the offer of hand-holding becomes more important when taken in context.

Peter Mandelson was "outed" by Matthew Parris on Newsnight in October of 1998. Two months later - just two days before Christmas - he resigned over the apparent conflict of interest over a home-loan. It was in this context that the offer of hand holding was made a short while later.

Mr John Bercow: I shall confine myself, Mr. Deputy Speaker, to the hope that the right hon. Member for Hartlepool will prove to be a sinner who repenteth, and that he will join us in the Division Lobby. He need be in no fear of being traduced or attacked if he does so. If it would be helpful for him, I shall, on this one occasion, make the very dangerous commitment to hold his hand as we walk through the Lobby in support of new clause 1, at the risk of considerable damage to my own reputation. I should be happy to do that for the benefit of having the right hon. Gentleman on side.

Despite people constantly assuming he was gay, despite how undoubtedly homophobic his fellow Conservative MPs were, despite Mandelson's second outing and despite the forced resignation, Bercow offered to hold Mandelson's hand in front of everyone. Telling, no?

For whatever reasons, Mandelson did not take up Bercow's offer. Instead, five months later, Mandelson was made Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Bercow climbed the ranks of the Conservative Party in parliament, gaining shadow ministerial posts, though losing them again pretty soon after. This was mostly due to his changing attitudes to social issues (as well as his habit of annoying everyone in the Conservative party).

"Appetites Change With Age"[edit | edit source]

Bercow came out in favour of the equalisation of the age of consent, a move which shocked many around the chamber.

Mr John Bercow: I have changed my mind on this subject, and I owe it to myself, the House and my constituents to explain why. The words "I was wrong" do not readily trip off my tongue, but that is what I believe. I think I was mistaken to vote for the status quo last time, and I intend to vote for the Bill, for reform and, I think, for progress.

Even with his new found ideas, Bercow sill felt the need to remind the House of his sexual orientation. "It so happens that I am heterosexual" he declared. Bercow abstained from a vote about the right of same-sex couples to adopt, but later on resigned from his post as Shadow Work and Pensions Minister to vote in favour of change.

This theme of change and personal growth is scattered throughout their interactions, most notable when Mandelson returned to the UK in to be questioned by the select committee on which Bercow sat.

Mr. Bercow: I would like to come back to the whole rationale behind the trade, justice and development agenda and the rationale on which, I hope, we can all explicitly agree. It is not about us, it is not about the European Commission, it is not actually about ACP countries, it is about giving the poorest and in some cases the most destitute people on the planet a chance to compete and to grow. I do not know, Commissioner Mandelson, just how far your tentacles can be expected to spread. I do not know what the furthest reaches of your crusading zeal will prove to be but I wonder if—

Mr. Mandelson: I do not know where this is leading you but anyway!

Mr. Bercow: I know exactly where it is leading me!

Mr. Mandelson: I want absolutely nothing to do with campaigning zeal, thank you very much! I had my first taste of campaigning zeal on the Today programme!

Mr. Bercow: Surely you are not losing your appetite for that now. We would be very distressed if you were.

Mr. Mandelson: Appetites can change with age!

Drag Act[edit | edit source]

Once Bercow had been made Speaker he was keen to get on with implementing his many, many, many reforms. In addition to expenses and flexible working hours, creating a Parliamentary creche, John Bercow had this strange idea that members of the House of Lords weren't completely accountable to the public. His suggested solution? Have Lords who are members of government - especially Cabinet ministers - answer questions from the people's elected representatives in the House of Commons.

Of course, this would break a whole load of parliamentary procedures and traditions and the idea didn't get anywhere in the end, but it did create wonderful headlines such as "I'll drag Mandelson from Lords to face MPs, vows Commons Speaker John Bercow".

The Look Of Love[edit | edit source]

With Labour in opposition and the Big Green Chair safely secured, Mandelon and Bercow finally decided to let themselves be photographed together shortly after Valentine's Day 2014.

Fanon[edit | edit source]

The Meme[edit | edit source]

There are some fics of the pairing on the meme, with others scattered on AO3.

AUs[edit | edit source]

Most fics take place in a magical AU where Peter Mandelson is the Dark Lord using his powers to help Labour win the next election and John Bercow uses his power to keep peace in Parliament and put a stop to Mandelson trying to intervene in Commons business. Sometimes The Machine is portrayed as their child or as a matchmaking service.

RP[edit | edit source]

Although not formally together in the RP, their ambiguous relationship has awkwardly flourished.