Strangeways documentary should strengthen not weaken Ken Clarke’s new approach on prisons
Reshuffle stories are a bit of a nightmare to deal with. The press write whatever they want, the broadcasters blather away about it, the ministers get a bit jumpy, the ones being tipped for promotion ... Continue17 May 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Great football managers don’t have to be great players – Alan Sugar and I are available
The last time I went out to Alan Sugar's offices in Essex was in 1997, to persuade him to come out publicly for Labour. On the way there, his PR guy Nick Hewer (later to become his sidekick on The App... Continue16 May 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Strauss-Kahn’s arrest re ‘sexual attack’ makes French elections even more complicated
Last month I posted a piece on the French presidential elections, predicting that they were about as tough to call as they come. I reflected on the fact that so many supporters of the Parti Socialiste... Continue15 May 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Nothing to add to my Iraq Inquiry evidence
As with previous inquiries, I decided on being called as a witness to the Chilcot Inquiry that I should say nothing beyond my own evidence. That was harder when earlier inquiries were going on, beca... Continue13 May 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
On both main planks of strategy, political and economic, coalition is misfiring
To return to one of my favourite themes ... David Cameron didn't win the election because he lacked strategic clarity. The public gave it to him - make a coalition work and sort out the economy. Th... Continue12 May 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Botham’s Ashes film has some great lessons on leadership and team-work
Someone calling himself James Hacker asked me on twitter this morning if I was more obsessed about politics or sport. It's a close call. I'm certainly having a sporty week so far. Last night cricket. ... Continue11 May 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Public will tire very quickly of coalition emotionalism. They should learn from downside of TB-GBery
One of the most debilitating aspects of divisions in government is the emotional energy they absorb. Whilst I can and regularly do make the case that between them Tony Blair and Gordon Brown achieved... Continue10 May 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Hope Alex Ferguson gets a vote on Scottish independence as well as another League title
First of all congratulations to Alex Ferguson and Manchester United. Somehow I cannot see them failing to get a point out of Blackburn or Blackpool, so effectively they are Champions. He has further... Continue8 May 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Beware the conventional wisdoms in Scotland – they could be wrong
Scotland didn't look any different as I went for a morning run as the sun came out over Inverness this morning. But its politics feel very different, and nobody can predict where they will lead now. I... Continue7 May 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.