Operation Get-a-Grip – hilarious to see Cameron going back to Blairite centralisation
David Cameron was always quite fond of criticising the centralising Number 10 system which operated under Tony Blair. So it is highly amusing to watch him steadily shift towards the kind of centralis... Continue20 February 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
A few weeks trying to teach challenging kids makes me respect teachers even more
March 2 sees the start of Jamie Oliver's latest TV project, Dream School, in which he, I and other non-teachers try to teach 20 young people who have gone through the school system without success. Th... Continue19 February 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Hezza signals discontent at lack of Cameron grip, but Osborne won’t U-turn yet
I got back from Leicester in time to catch a bit of Question Time and was interested to see that the audience seemed mildly supportive of the government's U-turn on the sell-off of forests. It was a ... Continue18 February 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Time running out for Tories’ ‘all Labour’s fault’ mantra
The Tories have had a very good run with their 'it's all Labour's fault', but it is slowly coming to an end. With the public, or at least the centre of gravity of public opinion, I think it came to ... Continue17 February 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Royals owe one to the film people
I think that despite the risks of Jonathan Ross saying something daft, and despite the risk of speeches over-running, the Beeb should rethink coverage of the Baftas and go for it live. Yet another exa... Continue14 February 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Big Society relaunch – mais on ne peut pas polir un turd
Oh dear ... poor old Dave has decided not only that he needs a 'relaunch' for his 'Big Idea', the 'Big Society.' ... but he is seemingly of the view that the problem is not the policy, it is that 'we ... Continue13 February 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Gove and Cameron need to start getting into a bit of detail
Well done to those councils which felt Michael Gove was exceeding his powers when bringing the Building Schools for the Future programme crashing to the ground. Yesterday's High Court ruling was a vi... Continue12 February 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Tahrir Square must be scene of extraordinary mix of hope and fear
When finally Hosni Mubarak falls from power, there will be enormous celebrations among the crowds in Liberation Square, and throughout Egypt. There will be fear too, and it will not be confined to Mu... Continue10 February 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Robinson and McGuinness on song
One of the questions I faced constantly in Belfast yesterday was whether I thought Martin McGuinness would be an acceptable first minister of Northern Ireland. The question is being asked because of ... Continue8 February 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.