TIMES really have changed for Peter Mandelson.

Four eventful years ago, he was busy masterminding Labour's breathtaking General Election victory. Yet this week he was pleased just to be given an alligator, named Arthur.

Mr Mandelson, who twice resigned from the Cabinet, is definitely not bored, though. He was delighted with Arthur, a small furry toy, and placed him on his shoulder.

Speaking at the Expamet factory, which makes Alleygater security fences in his Hartlepool constituency, he said: "There has been plenty of razzmatazz around here. We've had stickers and balloons galore."

Perhaps he should take heart from events elsewhere - which show a return to the high life isn't out of the question.

Because Labour have once again proved they don't forget their friends. The dissolution honours list was released this week and - shock, horror - there were peerages for David Clark and our own Peter Temple-Morris.

Mr Clark, former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said he was standing down from the Commons at the last minute.

By happy coincidence, the timing was just right for Downing Street darling David Milliband - who had the arduous task of defending Mr Clark's 22,153 majority in South Shields.

Mr Temple-Morris was also due to have his back scratched by the Prime Minister.

Headlines don't come cheap - and he earned Labour some very pleasant coverage indeed when he defected from the Tories shortly after the 1997 election.