Less a blog than an apology for not having done one

  • Post

  • 21 June 2009

  • Posted by Alastair Campbell

  • 6

Since starting this blogging malarkey some months back, I have done at least one every day. Obsessive, moi? This is really just a way of keeping up that record, though when we go away for our summer holiday I do not intend, unlike on the Scottish holiday we had at Easter, to blog every day. So why has it taken until almost seven pm before I put finger to keyboard? Answer, a combination of tiredness and cricket. Tiredness because last night we were up north for a very enjoyable family birthday/wedding anniversary party, which meant a late night, then an early start to do the longish drive to get back in time for the Twenty20 Finals. Not being sexist, ahem, I was keen to get back to see the women's final as well as the men's. It was a bit of an anti-climax, as England's women hammered New Zealand with the ball, and once they began their own innings, the result was never in doubt. I was impressed though, and really pleased England won. (Cue angry comment from Wyrdtimes re my confused national identity.) The stadium filled up for the men's final, which I fully expected Sri Lanka to win. They didn't. Pakistan did. So as well as being one of the shortest blogs I have ever written, it is also contains a rare admission I got something wrong. Someone asked me today 'who invented Twenty20?' I don't know the answer, but whoever it was deserves a lot of praise. A final thought - Margaret Beckett for Speaker, gardening bills or not. Dunbloggin'

6 responses to “Less a blog than an apology for not having done one”

  1. I see Margaret Beckett being done on the front page of the Telegraph today. Am assuming they saved that one up for today to try to damage her in the vote for the speakership tomorrow, so I hope she gets it. The way the Telegraph has been using its illgotten computer disc to damage politician after politician is obscene

  2. Every day? Well done, and may I say though I do not come on here every day, when I do I always find something interesting.

  3. Watched a bit of the women’s cricket. All just a bit slower and less intense than the men’s. Mind you —- men’s final not that exciting

  4. Reading your blog, you frequently complain about our dismal media culture, then let slip you were chatting to rebekkah, gordon and cameron at murdoch’s party. Irony not your strong point is it?

    Yes our media and political culture in England is abysmal, but you should acknowledge your part in that, not least our entire political class sucking up to the odious Murdoch. And to answer a previous question, no media site I know of lets you post negative comments about them, which says it all.

Leave a Reply to Cassie Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

484. War in Europe, Trump’s Destruction of Institutions, and Britain’s National Treasures (Question Time)

Will Europe go to war with Russia in 2026? Should National Service be introduced next year? How will AI continue to develop? Should the G20 be moved? And how else will politics change next ye... Continue

1 January 2026

483. The Future of British Politics, How The World Order Is Changing, and The Power of History

What does this year look like for the future of British politics? How is the global order going to be reshaped? And will the power of historical narratives become even stronger this year? L... Continue

31 December 2025

Alastair Campbell’s Diary: How we must fight the 3Cs in 2026

Crime, corruption and cruelty show how leaders like Trump and Bukele exploit power, and why they must be stopped... Continue

31 December 2025

Article

Posted by

168. A Climate Special: Populism, Security, and Leadership

Can the planet sustain infinite economic growth, or is GDP a flawed metric? Is the UK genuinely decarbonising, or is it simply outsourcing its pollution? How can politicians defeat the populi... Continue

29 December 2025

482. A Trumpian Year, the Politics of Hope and Highlights of 2025

What surprised Rory and Alastair most about 2025? Why does Trump's presidency feel even more chaotic than expected? And who gets their vote for campaigner of the year? Join Rory and Alastair... Continue

25 December 2025

481. Polanski, Macron & al-Sharaa: The Best & Worst Politicians of 2025

Who deserves the title of UK politician of the year - and who gets worst? What was the most consequential moment of Trump's presidency so far? And can Rory convince Alastair that Christmas is... Continue

24 December 2025

167. Faith, Depression, and Finding Calm in the Chaos (Professor Mark Williams)

From Parliament to Prison, how can people find calm in chaotic environments? How does one cope with grief during the festive period? What are some successful ways to combat depression? Rory... Continue

22 December 2025

Will AI Take Our Jobs? (Ep 2)

Is AI a genuine productivity revolution, or just another tech bubble? Are any jobs safe from the advent of AI? And, can the UK harness the innovation, or will it fall behind? Rory Stewart is... Continue

19 December 2025