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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

The real lessons from Damian McBride

These days I tend to find out news as much through interview bids as through listening to the radio or reading the papers. Sky or Radio Five Live are usually first, by email, with a phone call ten min... Continue

12 April 2009

Will English always be the dominant language?

In a Paris cab last week, an Algerian driver picked up on something I said and told me the French word 'hasard' (chance) came directly from Arabic. He had seen me on a TV programme the night before an... Continue

11 April 2009

On the pipes and what makes a Scot

Ok, ok, I give in (to my Twitter followers and Facebook friends) and will explain recent bagpipe tweets. Along the way I will muse (blog and vlog) on identity.  I've been up in Scotland making a fil... Continue

10 April 2009

John Prescott lazy? NO WAY

It's obviously becoming stand-up-for-oldies week. Yesterday David Frost on his 70th birthday. Today another veteran into his eighth decade on the planet in the form of John Prescott. John is of cours... Continue

9 April 2009

David Frost is seventy

The birthday dinner, which kept me from both the Champions League and The Speaker last night, was for broadcaster David Frost. Seventy.  Any suggestion the veteran broadcaster might be slowing down ... Continue

8 April 2009

The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pm

I'm out at a birthday dinner tonight, so will be spared the difficult choice between Champions League football and BBC 2's new reality TV/elimination-contest programme, The Speaker. Reality TV and el... Continue

7 April 2009

Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missiles

There are not that many circumstances in which I feel sympathy for that collection of individuals, mainly male, described as 'world leaders.' They have reached the top in their chosen path; they hav... Continue

6 April 2009

When a call matters more than protocol

More than once, I had a mobile phone suddenly tossed my way as Tony Blair realised the car was about to arrive. Usually it was obvious when the journey was coming to an end and he could sign off inÂ... Continue

5 April 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.