writer, podcaster,
communicator, strategist

Latest

I’m sleepless, angry and anxious over this – and I know I’m not alone

Editor-at-large Alastair Campbell on the reaction to the Mandelson affair, the calls for Starmer to go, and what happens to this government - and the United Kingdom - next... Continue

175. Ex-Director of GCHQ: China, Russia, and the Threats Facing the UK (Jeremy Fleming)

Do Russia or China represent a bigger risk to UK national security? Why are we underestimating the threat posed by cybercriminals? Who holds the real power - ministers or spies? Rory and Alastair are... Continue

498. Alastair Reacts to Starmer-Mandelson Turmoil

How should the government and politics as a whole respond to the latest revelations about the scale of Epstein's influence, and Mandelson's abuse of power? If Starmer goes, who and what comes next? Do... Continue

174. Taking On Europe’s Last Dictator: The Fight Against Lukashenko and Putin

How did Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya go from being a housewife to leading a Belarussian government in exile? How did Aleksandr Lukashenko become the last dictator in Europe? Why was Segei, Sviatlana’s h... Continue

497. Is Trump Plotting Regime Change in Iran? (Question Time)

Is Trump deliberately wielding chaos as a negotiating tactic with Iran? When did it become acceptable for world leaders to openly interfere in each other's elections, as seen with Orbán's internation... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Trump’s lies are trashing the dollar

Economic facts are catching up with the political untruths of the Trump administration... Continue

496. Mandelson’s Disgrace: How Epstein Poisoned Our Politics

What do Peter Mandelson's ties to Jefferey Epstein reveal about the influence of the rich and powerful in British politics? Why did so many prominent figures continue associating with and supporting J... Continue

173. The man Putin can’t silence: Bill Browder and sanctioning Russia

How did the “biggest capitalist in Eastern Europe” become the primary target of the Russian state? Why was Bill Browder’s friend Sergei Magnitsky killed in Russian prison? Why did Putin really s... Continue

Follow Alastair on social media:

The Rest Is Politics

8 Feb 2026

498. Alastair Reacts to Starmer-Mandelson Turmoil

How should the government and politics as a whole respond to the latest revelations about the scale of Epstein's influence, and Mandelson's abuse of power? If Starmer goes, who and what comes next? Do the events of the last week make a Farage-led Reform government more likely?

Two men who’ve been at the heart of the political world – former Downing Street Director of Communications and Strategy Alastair Campbell and cabinet minister Rory Stewart – join forces from across the political divide.

Leading

9 Feb 2026

175. Ex-Director of GCHQ: China, Russia, and the Threats Facing the UK (Jeremy Fleming)

Do Russia or China represent a bigger risk to UK national security? Why are we underestimating the threat posed by cybercriminals? Who holds the real power - ministers or spies?

Every Monday, Rory and Alastair interrogate, converse with, and interview some of the world’s biggest names – from both inside and outside of politics – about life, leadership, or leading the way in their chosen field.

Books

Little Experts: Why Politics Matters

Packed with fun, facts and challenges – perfect for readers aged 6 to 9.

Alastair Campbell Talks Politics

The empowering intro to politics that every young person needs right now from writer, podcaster and strategist Alastair Campbell.

Alastair Campbell’s diaries 2023

A thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable chronicle of our editor-at-large’s year, illustrated by Martin Rowson and Richard Jolley.

But What Can I Do?

The bestselling new book from Alastair Campbell, on why politics has gone so wrong, and how you can help fix it. Part call to arms, part practical handbook, But What Can I Do? will prove required reading for anyone who wants to make a difference.

Winners and how they succeed

Alastair Campbell knows all about winning. As Tony Blair’s chief spokesman and strategist he helped guide the Labour Part…

Living Better

Living Better is Alastair Campbell’s honest, moving and life affirming account of his lifelong struggle with depression. It is an…

The Happy Depressive

In Pursuit of Personal and Political Happiness

Saturday Bloody Saturday

A Game More Serious Than Life or Death

Diaries Volume 8: Rise and Fall of the Olympic Spirit, 2010 – 2015

It’s 2010 and Britain stands at a crossroads. After thirteen years in power, Labour find themselves out in the cold as David Cameron takes office – with a little help from the Liberal Democrats.

Diaries Volume 7: From Crash to Defeat, 2007 – 2010

Caught in the no man’s land between being a key figure in Downing Street and the relative anonymity of the world outside politics, Alastair Campbell finds himself being torn in several directions.

Diaries Volume 6: From Blair to Brown, 2005 – 2007

After helping Tony Blair to secure a historic third term in office, Alastair Campbell might have hoped to make good his long-planned escape from Downing Street. Blair, and Gordon Brown, had other ideas.

Diaries Volume 5: Outside, Inside, 2003 – 2005

This eagerly anticipated volume picks up where its predecessor left off, with Campbell standing down as Tony Blair’s director of communications in 2003.

Diaries Volume 4: The Burden of Power: Countdown to Iraq

The Burden of Power is the fourth volume of Alastair Campbell’s diaries, and perhaps the most eagerly awaited given the ground it covers.

Diaries Volume 3: Power & Responsibility

It begins amid conflict in Kosovo, and ends on September 11, 2001, a day which immediately wrote itself into the history books, changing the course of both the Bush presidency and the Blair premiership.

Diaries Volume 2: Power and the People 1997 – 1999

Power and the People is the second of four volumes, and covers the first two years of New Labour government, beginning with their landslide victory at the polls in 1997.

Diaries Volume 1: Prelude to Power

Volume 1 details the extraordinary tensions between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as they resolved the question as to which one should stand to become Labour leader.

The Blair Years

The Blair Years is the most compelling and revealing account of contemporary politics you will ever read. Taken from….

The Irish Diaries (1994 – 2003)

This newly edited one-volume edition focuses on one of the Blair government’s biggest successes, the Northern Ireland peace process.

Maya

Maya Lowe is one of the world’s most beautiful film stars.

All In The Mind: A Novel

Emily is a traumatised burns victim, Arta a Kosovan refugee recovering from a rape. David Temple is a longterm depressive, while the Rt Hon Ralph Hall MP lives in terror of his drink problem being exposed.

My Name Is

She likes a drink. Everyone has a problem.