Bipolar affects a lot of so-called ‘ordinary people’ not just celebs

The Guardian asked me for a piece yesterday on the news that Catherine Zeta-Jones was being treated for bipolar disorder. Here is the piece I wrote for them. In an ideal world, it would not take a fi... Continue

15 April 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Out of tragedy comes more tragedy – Gareth Crockett RIP

Ten days ago I posted this blog about two young men from Northern Ireland setting out on a remarkable challenge to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. Jez Davison and Gareth Crockett had... Continue

14 April 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Busy week for Dave, taking his cab to immigration via street parties, Oxford and the NHS

There has been a touch of the 'I had that David Cameron in the back of my cab' to the Prime Minister this week. Street parties for the Royal Wedding ... all them Labour councils (allegedly) stopping ... Continue

14 April 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

For my next trick …

First of all, thanks for all the responses to yesterday's blog asking for examples of frontline cuts to mental health services. Thanks also to Mark Brown, editor of One in Four, for sending me a brill... Continue

12 April 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Help write my speech for the RCN conference with egs of frontline cuts to mental health services

Another fabulous day weather wise, spent so far sorting out a contract on an overseas speaking engagement; doing an interview with Andy Gray and Richard Keys on their new Talksport show; recording the... Continue

11 April 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Lovely weather yes, but litter louts bring out the Grumpy Old Man in me. Big Society please solve

Stuart Prebble is a soon-to-be 60 year old TV programme maker of considerable repute. Of the telly things I have done, the ones I felt had the greatest depth and integrity were the ones I did with Stu... Continue

10 April 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Coulson departure was Dambuster 1; News’ admission of liability could be Dambuster 2

It never ceases to amaze me how media organisations, so sharp and skilful in covering other people's crises, are often so poor at handling their own. I have been saying here since well before the las... Continue

9 April 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

The Sun-SNP dance is about helping Cameron not Salmond, or Scotland

There is a very interesting little dance taking place in Scotland at the moment between Alex Salmond's SNP and Rupert Murdoch's Sun. Not obvious bedfellows you might think, but it looks increasingly ... Continue

8 April 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Memo to Cameron: don’t listen to media on reshuffle; don’t sack Ken Clarke; and ta for Dream School visit

I have read in several places in recent days that David Cameron is 'under mounting pressure' to conduct a Cabinet reshuffle. 'Under mounting pressure' is one of the many dozens of phrases which rarel... Continue

7 April 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.