Prospect's new issue: Mandy in the middle

In this month's cover story, journalist and award-winning novelist Edward Docx profiles the most powerful man in Britain: Peter Mandelson

Docx's definitive portrait traces Mandelson's long journey from his earliest experience of Labour politics on Lambeth council to his current position as first secretary of state and Labour's unrivalled kingmaker. Mandelson, Docx argues, has had the most interesting political career of his age. After three decades, two catastrophically public resignations and a surprise comeback, Mandelson has finally left the back room and become as his own man.

Docx traces the multiple influences (family, peer group and sexuality) that have shaped Mandelson's complex and contradictory character.  He explains why Peter Mandelson is about as Labour it is possible to be—and why he's actually old Labour as well as new.