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Europe needs to get real on defence; Britain needs to get real on Europe

Below is the text of a speech I am making this evening to the Labour Movement for Europe, urging a change in approach by Labour, to be bolder in the terms of the "reset" that is promised, clearer in ... Continue

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

Breaking the blog-a-day spell as warm up to holiday

Concerned regulars text, email and comment, to ask whether the blog-free last couple of days signifies some woe that may have befallen me. One of my bouts of depression, for example. Something even w... Continue

20 July 2009

No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DC

I always, always, always wear a helmet when cycling. Always. Except yesterday. And guess which day it was that someone tweeted that they'd seen me out on the bike. Yesterday. Followed by someone who ... Continue

17 July 2009

At last – something Obama cannot do well

Lesser mortals among the fraternity known as 'world leaders' may take a little comfort from the fact that finally, Barack Obama has been found wanting. Luckily for the President, who can make fly-swa... Continue

16 July 2009

Will MPs take the lead in the debate on euthanasia?

There is something very moving about the accounts of the deaths, together in a private Swiss clinic, of conductor Sir Edward Downes and his wife Joan, a former ballet dancer. Though he was older by e... Continue

15 July 2009

Berlin brothel leads the way to a greener world

I don't think I have ever been in a brothel. I say 'don't think' because I did wander into a somewhat sexually charged bar with a photographer colleague in Nairobi once which, he informed me the next... Continue

14 July 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.