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166. John Swinney: An Independent Scotland Is An Open Scotland

What is the future of the Scottish independence movement? How does the SNP rebuild trust and support for independence after a series of bruising scandals? Why did the Scottish First Minister ... Continue

‘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

Pressure on Ed Miliband can help get a climate change deal

Bono and Bob Geldof, whom God preserve, are much more than your average celebrity campaigner. They don't just care about their chosen issues, they know about them too, real genuine knowledge, and they... Continue

28 August 2009

Why Tories and media cannot stomach GCSE success story

Lots of happy young people around today as the GCSE success story unfolds around the country. Cue lots of middle-aged, middle-class, media-driven moaning about dumbing down. There is something pecul... Continue

27 August 2009

Exposing the absurdity of Chris Grayling

Much to my family's annoyance, I am not a 'box set' kind of guy. I know it is the thing, all to sit down and get hooked together on some American TV show. Maybe it is a way of avoiding temptation to m... Continue

26 August 2009

Joy and beauty and a night of magic

Many thanks for all the tweets and Facebook messages during and after Burnley's fabulous win over Manchester United.  I know the non sports fans among regulars here prefer me to go on about politics... Continue

20 August 2009

Twitter NHS backlash good for Obama

When I occasionally rage at the culture of negativity in the UK media, it is often the coverage of the NHS I have in mind. Every hour of every day, wonderful things happen in the NHS, thanks to the te... Continue

14 August 2009

A lifetime’s ambition fulfilled

Forgive the utter self-indulgence of this being my first blog in quite a while, and possibly the last for another little while as I rediscover proper holidays. There are all sorts of things I could h... Continue

8 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.