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The weird virus infecting Labour debate

My partner Fiona has a piece in The Guardian today pointing out not merely how much the last Labour government achieved in education, but also how absurd it is for someone like Zarah Sultana, a newly... Continue

Time and chance for a new settlement between politics, media and public – we should all seize it

In 2009 I attended the wedding of News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks. The ceremony took place by a lake, at a country estate. I stood next to TV presenter Piers Morgan, while Paul Dacre... Continue

11 July 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

The day I tried to talk to David Cameron about doing some of the things he announced today

Apart from his weakness over BSkyB, David Cameron - finally - said and did a lot of the right things in his opening statement at his press conference today. Once the questions got under way, however,... Continue

8 July 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

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... Continue

29 June 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Why Max Clifford hates David Cameron, why Wayne Rooney’s callgirl likes me, and why Mark Lawson is right about culture

I hope I'm not giving away Nicky Campbell's trade secrets when I reveal that yesterday's BBC Big Questions about the existence or otherwise of heaven was recorded live, and next week's about the press... Continue

30 May 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 ... Continue

26 May 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

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

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Public will tire very quickly of coalition emotionalism. They should learn from downside of TB-GBery

One of the most debilitating aspects of divisions in government is the emotional energy they absorb. Whilst I can and regularly do make the case that between them Tony Blair and Gordon Brown achieved... Continue

10 May 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

The Sun-SNP dance is about helping Cameron not Salmond, or Scotland

There is a very interesting little dance taking place in Scotland at the moment between Alex Salmond's SNP and Rupert Murdoch's Sun. Not obvious bedfellows you might think, but it looks increasingly ... Continue

8 April 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.