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440. Question Time: How To Start A Centrist Party

Why do the Lib Dems still fly under the radar? Is Trump quietly setting the stage for an authoritarian takeover? And, why does Alastair swear so much? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer a... Continue

Labour should put minister up against Griffin on Question Time

BBC Question Time is not alone among programmes in wanting to attract as much attention to itself as it can. In a noisy, crowded marketplace, where viewers have almost infinite choice of how to spend ... Continue

6 September 2009

School speech the latest source of right-wing frothing at Obama

If you want a taste of what Barack Obama is up against in the ferocity and the bovinity, if such a word exists, of right-wing Americans, scour around the place for some of the reaction to the Presiden... Continue

5 September 2009

More horse’s mouth, less Beeb blah please

Keen to find out what Gordon Brown said in his speech about Afghanistan, I tuned into the BBC News Channel at 9pm. What bits I saw seemed good. Clear about why our troops are there. Clear about the li... Continue

4 September 2009

Real respect for sport can be Olympic legacy

In Paris for a TV programme, I wake up, get ready to go for a run, then take a look at the pouring rain and decide the hotel gym treadmill might be a better idea. (Cue my favourite treadmill story, ab... Continue

4 September 2009

First ladies watch out for Japanese bombshell

Litttle did I know, blogging a few days ago on the potential significance of a change of government in Japan, that the new Prime Minister would be bringing with him a wife who was once abducted by ali... Continue

3 September 2009

TV debate – good idea in theory, but …

Into my inbox last night popped an email from someone at Sky suggesting that whatever else I might be doing, I really ought to drop it, and tune in to watch political editor Adam Boulton at 10pm. No d... Continue

2 September 2009

‘No worries’ – the new response to thanks

Out for a longish run along Regent's Park canal this morning, I found myself saying 'thank you' on four different occasions - twice when being waved forward by oncoming cyclists at those slow-down saf... Continue

1 September 2009

Tremors of Japanese political earthquake will be felt far and wide

There are always lessons in other countries' elections and, in an ever more interdependent world, there are consequences for all of us when one of the major powers changes government. We may not know ... Continue

30 August 2009

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.