Featured

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

At our best when at our most optimistic about the future – Ed Miliband’s speech has makings of a strategy

What with Twitter and superinjunctions (oh how the media love a story about the media) and the resurgence of Old Etonians in Who's Who, there is no room for Ed Miliband on the front page of The Guardi... Continue

21 May 2011

Economic snapshot from Yorkshire; and the build up to Football Focus play-off v Alan Sugar

To Leeds last night for a very enjoyable dinner with some of Yorkshire's top business people, and publication by BDO of a report into the prospects for the county's economy (strapline STRONGER, LEANER... Continue

20 May 2011

Theresa May’s police cuts are of more lasting significance than the Ken Clarke frenzy

Which was the event of more serious long-term consequence? Ken Clarke ballsing up his choice of words in a live interview? Or Theresa May getting a comprehensive thumbs down from the PoliceFederation?... Continue

19 May 2011

Public want more variety and less monoprism than media gives them – a despatch from Fowey

To remind you of another Rule One of communications - never confuse media opinion with public opinion. And Rule 1a - always expect better, more interesting and more varied questions from the public. ... Continue

18 May 2011

Strangeways documentary should strengthen not weaken Ken Clarke’s new approach on prisons

Reshuffle stories are a bit of a nightmare to deal with. The press write whatever they want, the broadcasters blather away about it, the ministers get a bit jumpy, the ones being tipped for promotion ... Continue

17 May 2011

Great football managers don’t have to be great players – Alan Sugar and I are available

The last time I went out to Alan Sugar's offices in Essex was in 1997, to persuade him to come out publicly for Labour. On the way there, his PR guy Nick Hewer (later to become his sidekick on The App... Continue

16 May 2011

Strauss-Kahn’s arrest re ‘sexual attack’ makes French elections even more complicated

Last month I posted a piece on the French presidential elections, predicting that they were about as tough to call as they come. I reflected on the fact that so many supporters of the Parti Socialiste... Continue

15 May 2011

Nothing to add to my Iraq Inquiry evidence

As with previous inquiries, I decided on being called as a witness to the Chilcot Inquiry  that I should say nothing beyond my own evidence. That was harder when earlier inquiries were going on, beca... Continue

13 May 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.