A speech on journalism worth a careful read

I don't agree with every word of Lionel Barber's Cudlipp Lecture last night, and I hope the FT editor's larynx was coated in irony when he spoke of Paul Dacre towards the end. But for journalists ... Continue

1 February 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

‘Bunch of twats’ – a fitting slogan for Tories on NHS reform

Ed Miliband will know well enough not to put too much faith in this morning's poll showing Labour 11 points ahead of the Tories. Better to be ahead than behind, but at this stage of the Parliament it ... Continue

30 January 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

A review of my diaries – by me!

The New Statesman this week runs a piece I wrote about what I had learned from reading my diaries of our first two years in power. Here it is ... 'Nobody can accuse you of writing a self-serving memo... Continue

29 January 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Phone-hacking becoming a tipping point moment in politics/media relations

I was rushing around a lot yesterday making a short film on phone-hacking for The One Show on Monday, having earlier done an interview for a much longer Despatches documentary being made on the same s... Continue

29 January 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Long live Nelson Mandela

As visitors to my home know, I never went a bundle on getting myself photographed with the powerful people I met and worked with. I sometimes wish I had, not least when we were trying to get decent ph... Continue

28 January 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Getting in the zone for my grilling by David Mitchell

After Question Time a week ago, Loose Ends at the weekend, and a few random Newsnights, Skys and LBCs in between, tonight it's the Big One. I know I have been a bit media-active in recent days, but m... Continue

27 January 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

The warnings Cameron and Osborne ignored – Paul Krugman 21/10/10

An article by award winning economist Paul Krugman in the New York Times. British Fashion Victims By PAUL KRUGMAN Published: October 21, 2010 In the spring of 2010, fiscal austerity became fashionab... Continue

27 January 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

Mervyn King treading too close to political lines

Bank of England Governor Mervyn King is straying perilously close to political territory these days. It is one thing to make statements aimed at helping the Bank fulfil its remit of meeting an inflati... Continue

26 January 2011

Posted by Alastair Campbell

On bombs, no-growth strategy, sexist Sky commentators, Murdoch and phones, evil Mail

Just as politicians say that terrorist attacks won't change the way we go about our business - they do - so the media will always allow a major bombing to shift its agenda. That is not a criticism. An... Continue

25 January 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.