Alastair Campbell in Conversation: Politics, the People and the Press

For 10 years Alastair Campbell was Tony Blair's right-hand man as communications strategist and chief spokesman, often witnessing history in the making. As the most influential Government advisor, Alastair was no stranger to controversy, working the headlines and occasionally making them. He is one of four credited with creating New Labour, fighting numerous battles in their pursuit of modernisation. He was reviled by parts of the media but still respected for his commitment, creativity, loyalty and work rate.
At this wide-ranging conversation with Steve Richards, chief political commentator of The Independent, Alastair discusses the complexities of political communication and influencing, and compares his days at the heart of policy making to the changed world where social media increasingly dominates.
www.bl.uk/propaganda

[@billbobaggins945]

Looking back, what a man he was. Tony was a proper leader and supported by someone who could playcate the media, who even back then had to much say. Well played Alistair Campbell and Tony Blair.

[@petermutua9838]

I love the statement about the mindset you need in government (17m 07s) which is "not about the fighting day to day; you have to do that, still have to make the arguments and the rest of it.... but much much more important is 'here are the key objectives we are setting, this is what we are doing in a year, 3 years, for the rest of our term...'

[@Michael-ux4yd]

0

[@AFancyHippo]

Thanks for pointing that out. Missed its important on the first listen through.

[@jonmortermusic]

This is brilliant

[@takepartlive]

People really should vote in every election!

[@davidnorton7437]

For goodness sake buy this bloke a one way ticket to anywhere please.

[@stianjod]

Brilliant!

[@hamzajuelz1956]

instablaster

[@zeddeka]

Campbell very clear sighted about the situation David Cameron was creating for himself regarding Europe.

[@dreamer2260]

Very insightful and engaging from Campbell, as usual. Can't help but respect him.

[@mikew608]

Despicable person who assisted a war criminal who called himself a prime minister, both will probably never face trial. In another dimension we might of had John Smith, the best prime minister that never was in our world.

[@ianbanks3016]

Still spinning. Loathsome.

[@AS-or6ot]

the thing with people throwing Iraq war at Alastair is, if you have fundamental problem with him on this, do no engage with him on principle. Do not sit with him and talk about different topics, and when you are losing, throw Iraq at him as a cop out. If he is a war criminal in your eyes, it should be a huge deal. Not a footnote to be used as a debate point.

[@raymondbedborough8522]

Ask him about his hands dripping with blood. A vile man

[@chrisharrison763]

Skip the introduction: 1:41

[@arclight2011]

6 mins 40 seconds and the smooze got a little too much but thanks for the upload.. i needed to test my nerves anyway :)

[@kw2142]

Whatever u think about him & Blair, they both kept the Tories out for 13 yrs.

[@garystokes6407]

Campbell is one VERY DANGEROUS MAN

[@tris7]

And have helped to destroy western democracy... Soo on the face of it, it probably wasn't worth it.

[@petermcdonald5694]

They are Tories

[@kw2142]

@@petermcdonald5694 I see where you're coming from. Apparently Tony Blair agreed with Osborne's austerity policies in 2011. What a c***

[@marcperrett662]

@@kw2142 you seem to forget the ,the coffers were completely empty after 2008 ,if Labour had won in 2010 ,they would have had no choice but to increase taxes or impose their own version of austerity,,New Labour borrowed heavily to maintain it,s policies right the way through the 2000s ,,labour were very lucky to inherit a fairly strong economy in 97

[@jasonkingshott2971]

Blair's Liar-in-Chief!

[@keengro3740]

a spin doctor of the dark arts.......

[@arclight2011]

sorry i cant take an hour and a half with alistair cambell (tony blairs friend) but it is good that it has been documented.. i will look at the stats on this one :) but i heard a long video of his was used at Guantanamo bay to torture/gently persuade the foreigners there (including the English foreigners who are currently on hunger strike.. but i digress) will the British library be using the bloggers to tell some more truthful and less smmozeful news and facts?? there is not many to find.. !!

[@JK-br1mu]

Corbynistas, get down on your knees and grovel before this man. Grov-el before this winner, and learn from him.

[@dommidavros2211]

No mention of Brexshit??

[@BenjaminAlexanderGulliford]

This was uploaded in 2013...

[@tris7]

I have massive respect for him as a communicator, but he is a liar and partly responsible for the lack of trust in policians we have today.

[@HuxleyWasRight]

he's pretty much everything that is wrong with politics.

[@georgeash4008]

Yes, you nailed it.