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ClimateNE & Climate Change Schools Project support the move to a low-carbon, resilient economy and help businesses avoid risk and realise commercial opportunities. Posts by Jen Atkinson, Krista McKinzey and Harriet Thew » THE shockwaves surrounding Peter "The Monkey" Mandelson's return to Government continue to ripple around Westminster and beyond.
Hartlepool's adopted son - who represented the town for 12 years - is promising to shake up state support for industry and give employers across the country a strong voice at the cabinet table.
His appointment has been met with surprise, dismay, pleasure and outrage but, tellingly, business organisations including the CBI, manufacturers' organisation EEF, and the Federation of Small Businesses have all welcomed his return.
Perhaps the ballsy, in-your-face comeback king is just the tonic industry needs at a time when companies in almost every sector are being squeezed by the global credit crunch.
While nobody expects Mandelson to reverse the country's economic ills at a stroke, he is no wilting wallflower and will fight industry's corner in the corridors of Whitehall from his desk at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, commonly known as BERR.
He will have no shortage of challenges on which to cut his teeth.
Will he, for example, bend Alistair Darling's ear about the UK's controversial taxation regime to stem the drain of companies moving their domiciles to more tax-friendly havens?
What can he do to reduce bureaucratic red tape - for so long the primary frustration of many small business owners?
If Gordon Brown's proposals for a ã12bn small business fund are adopted by the EU, how will Mandelson ensure that Tees Valley businesses get their fair share?
And how proactive will he be in lobbying Mervyn King for further interest rate cuts to head off a looming economic tidal wave that threatens to consume even the most robust businesses?
Local firms will demand swift and decisive action on these issues from one of the most colourful politicians in recent times. The majority will not get too hung up on his high-profile resignations, frosty relationship with Gordon Brown and reputation as Westminster's loosest cannon - but only if he takes a few blows on industry's behalf.
Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: It will not be boring.
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