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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

Public want more variety and less monoprism than media gives them – a despatch from Fowey

To remind you of another Rule One of communications - never confuse media opinion with public opinion. And Rule 1a - always expect better, more interesting and more varied questions from the public. ... Continue

18 May 2011

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 ... Continue

17 May 2011

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... Continue

16 May 2011

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... Continue

15 May 2011

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... Continue

13 May 2011

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... Continue

12 May 2011

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. ... Continue

11 May 2011

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... Continue

10 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.