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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

A brief history of the many ‘last chance saloons’ in which our press have drunk to excess

It is not often that I give over this space to a Tory MP, let alone one who was closely involved in David Cameron's failed efforts to secure a Parliamentary majority. However, as the bulk of the pres... Continue

26 November 2012

A couple of good signs amid fast-changing economic scene

One of my main themes out on the speaking circuit is that Europe is not adapting quickly enough or well enough to perhaps the single most important geostrategic change happening today - the shift of p... Continue

22 November 2012

No matter how good or bad Crosby may be, Cameron remains the problem

Quite a few journalists at last night's Portland Communications pub quiz, and one or two of them asking me what I thought of the Tories' planned hiring of Australian consultant Lynton Crosby. The gene... Continue

21 November 2012

Guest blog from a young writer who has captured UK drink problem, alongside real desire for community

There are a few statements regularly made by members of the public that are guaranteed to get my blood raging. ... no point voting ... politicians all the same ... nothing ever changes ... no point gi... Continue

19 November 2012

Easy to blame politicians and media for apathy, but public need to take a look at themselves too

The government has rightly been criticised for the lacklustre nature of their campaign to promote the need for their 'flagship' policy of Police Crime Commissioners. Likewise the media has been crit... Continue

17 November 2012

Practical lessons for Labour from Obama’s re-election – guest blog

This blog comes courtesy of a friend of mine, Greg Nugent, who until recently was part of the London 2012 team under Seb Coe which helped deliver the best Olympic and Paralympic Games ever. It must... Continue

15 November 2012

Guest blog from Rethink chief executive Paul Jenkins on Schizophrenia Commission Report

Slowly, progress is being made on the mental health front. The government has committed to parity of treatment between mental and physical illnesses. Ed Miliband made an important speech recently m... Continue

14 November 2012

As Entwistle falls on his sword, I wonder what Chris Patten’s next big Establishment job will be

Chris Patten, the son of a jazzman, and a Catholic, is not a traditional Establishment figure. But one of the powers of our Establishment is its ability to allow in certain outsiders, provided they th... Continue

11 November 2012

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.