Using the real Big Society to undo the damage of Cameron’s Big Society

I've been back from holiday for a few days, but am still not back in the swing of things, so apologies to anyone who has missed my political and other musings. Thought I would ease myself back in with... Continue

8 September 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Il parait que les Francais acceptent que l’anglais est la langue mondiale

It will be no surprise to regulars to hear that I am a Francophone. My year spent in Nice as an 'assistant d'anglais' was one of the happiest of my life. I love the French language, much of French cul... Continue

31 August 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Let’s hope Cameron and Osborne read and heed Heseltine’s lesson in The Times

Michael Heseltine has personal wealth, and a lifestyle, that is far removed from the vast bulk of people living in Britain's inner cities, let alone those who took part in the riots. He spends his wor... Continue

23 August 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Cameron’s ‘Broken Britain’ is a great slogan – for Britain’s competitors

Even though I thought it was nonsense at the time, I did understand why David Cameron used to drone on about Broken Britain in Opposition. He was trying to make the most of social and economic problem... Continue

21 August 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Cameron needs to take more care of police and military

David Cameron's self-confidence is a trait much commented upon by those who see him close up. Given the sheer scale of issues a PM has to deal with, and the relentlessness of the pressure, it is no ba... Continue

12 August 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Cameron and Miliband both spoke well, but vulnerabilities for the government lie ahead

I thought both David Cameron and Ed Miliband spoke well in their statements to the Commons today. They both got the tone right, and had the right mix of rhetorical condemndation of the present and rec... Continue

11 August 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

MPs must do more than unite in anger tomorrow. They have to say what they really think

One of the complaints often heard about politicians is that they don't really say what they think. Yet there is also a rush to condemn when MPs do say what they think, unless it fits the current conve... Continue

10 August 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

In an era of blandism, Boris’s blondism has a certain appeal, but now is a test of SERIOUS leadership

The next couple of days will dictate whether a crisis becomes a disaster, or another crisis managed to a relatively successful conclusion. Any crisis requires strong clear leadership, and when it is ... Continue

9 August 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Clegg needs to do more than fulminate. This is also about wealth, power and opportunity

Nick Clegg is right to say the violence in London has been unacceptable, and the thieving opportunistic, and the senior police officer put up to do interviews in the absence of a Commissioner right to... Continue

8 August 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Alastair Campbell is a writer, communicator and strategist best known for his role as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s spokesman, press secretary and director of communications and strategy. Still active in politics and campaigns in Britain and overseas, he now splits his time between writing, speaking, broadcasting, charities and consultancy.