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168. A Climate Special: Populism, Security, and Leadership

Can the planet sustain infinite economic growth, or is GDP a flawed metric? Is the UK genuinely decarbonising, or is it simply outsourcing its pollution? How can politicians defeat the populi... Continue

Osborne will love today’s IMF headlines, but HATE the piece comparing him with GB

I claim no special insight into, or influence over, George Osborne. It was interesting however to note that within a day or two of my suggesting here that he needed to step up the communication of his... Continue

7 June 2011

Fight with Tom from The Wanted not quite as dramatic as it might seem

You can be fairly sure that if The Mail put me as a lead story online, it won't be because they want me to appear all warm and cuddly. As my daughter has just told me, a 54-year-old former spin docto... Continue

5 June 2011

Osborne needs to start explaining Plan A, or work on Plan B

There is something to be said for George Osborne's modus operandi - which is to set bold strokes, speak in public when he has to, but otherwise keep his head down. It is an approach, however, which s... Continue

4 June 2011

Lansley’s health and social care problems now as much about social care as health

It is somewhat unfortunate for Andrew Lansley that the legislation on which his reputation and legacy will depend is called the Health and Social Care Bill. Up till recently, it was the health part o... Continue

2 June 2011

Fatal consequences of benefit changes

Today's blog is given over to the letter in The Guardian from leading mental health experts and charities, on the impact of some of the government's welfare reforms. It is self-explanatory. Reform of... Continue

1 June 2011

Financial Times expose on care homes must reading for Cameron and Lansley

It says something for the hold the downmarket papers have over the broadcasters that the Financial Times' lead story did not make it onto the bulletins this morning. Cheryl Cole's absence from X Facto... Continue

31 May 2011

Why Max Clifford hates David Cameron, why Wayne Rooney’s callgirl likes me, and why Mark Lawson is right about culture

I hope I'm not giving away Nicky Campbell's trade secrets when I reveal that yesterday's BBC Big Questions about the existence or otherwise of heaven was recorded live, and next week's about the press... Continue

30 May 2011

In conversation with the MP who used Parliamentary privilege to out Ryan Giggs

There is only one show in town today, namely the Champions League Final, so if you will forgive the pre-match laziness, this blogpost consists merely of a cut and paste of the conversation I had with... Continue

28 May 2011

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.