On China, consumer spending, and crime, three big bad straws in the wind for Osborne
First, a postscript from my last blogpost, on China ... yesterday Premier Wen Jiabao presided over the signing of deals with Germany worth almost £10billion (compared with the £1.4bn trade agreement... Continue29 June 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Whacking public services now a clear political strategy to match economic strategy of cuts
I was surprised there were no ministers at the Local Government Awards organised by the Municipal Journal last night. It was one of those events at which, if memory serves me right, Labour always trie... Continue24 June 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
A new version of an old Cliff Richard song could be biggest feelgood dampener yet
It is always wise to be a little suspicious of stories which emerge from private sector surveys, particularly if designed as what journalists in the pre no-deadline online age used to call a 'Sunday f... Continue20 June 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
On Osborne’s speech, Peston’s tie, and Labour’s need to unpick Tory argument on the past
The noise surrounding it would suggest George Osborne made an important speech last night. Northern Rock sell-off and banking reform seemed to take most of the coverage, big ticket items both. So for... Continue16 June 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Osborne will love today’s IMF headlines, but HATE the piece comparing him with GB
I claim no special insight into, or influence over, George Osborne. It was interesting however to note that within a day or two of my suggesting here that he needed to step up the communication of his... Continue7 June 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Osborne needs to start explaining Plan A, or work on Plan B
There is something to be said for George Osborne's modus operandi - which is to set bold strokes, speak in public when he has to, but otherwise keep his head down. It is an approach, however, which s... Continue4 June 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
On Cheryl, Cameron’s kitchen and why Obama rebuffed Osborne’s plans on the deficit
I am hoping the sound of helicopters above means the President is on his way to France, able to escape Britain before he and the Prime Minister get asked about what Cheryl Cole's exit from American X ... Continue26 May 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
On both main planks of strategy, political and economic, coalition is misfiring
To return to one of my favourite themes ... David Cameron didn't win the election because he lacked strategic clarity. The public gave it to him - make a coalition work and sort out the economy. Th... Continue12 May 2011
Posted by Alastair Campbell
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.