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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

Cameron and Miliband both spoke well, but vulnerabilities for the government lie ahead

I thought both David Cameron and Ed Miliband spoke well in their statements to the Commons today. They both got the tone right, and had the right mix of rhetorical condemndation of the present and rec... Continue

11 August 2011

MPs must do more than unite in anger tomorrow. They have to say what they really think

One of the complaints often heard about politicians is that they don't really say what they think. Yet there is also a rush to condemn when MPs do say what they think, unless it fits the current conve... Continue

10 August 2011

In an era of blandism, Boris’s blondism has a certain appeal, but now is a test of SERIOUS leadership

The next couple of days will dictate whether a crisis becomes a disaster, or another crisis managed to a relatively successful conclusion. Any crisis requires strong clear leadership, and when it is ... Continue

9 August 2011

Clegg needs to do more than fulminate. This is also about wealth, power and opportunity

Nick Clegg is right to say the violence in London has been unacceptable, and the thieving opportunistic, and the senior police officer put up to do interviews in the absence of a Commissioner right to... Continue

8 August 2011

Market meltdown ensures no silly season for Cameron and Osborne

There used to be a silly season. However it looks like global economic woes will ensure this year's silly season has a rather more serious backdrop than usual, what with front pages around the world s... Continue

5 August 2011

On resignation, Greg Dyke, little black books, and why The Guardian needs an awayday on fame and how to describe people

I had really wanted to see the 'My Resignation' documentary on BBC4 last night. It is an interesting theme and the people making it seemed a cut above your average instant docmaker. Having intervie... Continue

4 August 2011

A rare venture into poetry – and yet another outlet for my madness

After yesterday's guest blog on happiness, today I turn to the subject of madness, more specifically my own. I was approached a few months ago and asked to write a poem for a book being prepared by B... Continue

2 August 2011

Guest blog on Happiness – with a plea for female speakers on the subject

A couple of weeks ago, I gave a Lecture on Happiness at Birmingham University. Today I give the blog over to KIRSTY MACK, the university's head of stakeholder relations, so that she can ruminate on th... Continue

1 August 2011

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.