But What Can I Do?: Why Politics Has Gone So Wrong, and How You Can Help Fix It

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The Blair Years". The Random House Group. Archived from the original on 18 February 2009 . Retrieved 13 August 2007. There are many reasons for political disengagement. But one of them, among the young in particular, is that they do not feel their voice is heard. Too few young people in elected positions; too many places where majorities are so large for one party or another as to be undentable; and policy skewed towards older people because politicians know they are more likely to vote.

The Happy Depressive: In Pursuit of Personal and Political Happiness (2012). Arrow. ISBN 0-09-957982-0 Alastair John Campbell (born 25 May 1957) is a British journalist, author, strategist, broadcaster and activist, known for his political roles during Tony Blair's leadership of the Labour Party. Campbell worked as Blair's spokesman and campaign director in opposition (1994–1997), then as Downing Street Press Secretary, and as the Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson (1997–2000). He then became Downing Street director of communications and spokesman for the Labour Party (2000–2003). He returned as campaign director for the 2005 general election in Blair's third win. In March 2022 he launched a new podcast, The Rest is Politics, discussing politics home and abroad with former Tory cabinet minister Rory Stewart. It became an instant hit, rising by week 2 to the top of the Apple UK podcast charts, and leading to calls that he and Stewart form a new centre ground party. [53] [54] What advice would Campbell give to those following the election campaign today? In his new book But what can I do: why politics has gone so wrong and how you can change it, Campbell attempts to set out the recipe for success. Written as a guide for a new generation of leaders and campaigners, who he thinks could help turn politics around, it’s part campaign tool, part inspirational guide and part support manual. After all, Campbell knows all too well how bruising politics can be.

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Politics and government [ edit ] Campbell lecturing at the LSE series 'From Kennedy to Blair,' 7 July 2003 Alastair Campbell". Trusupporter. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009 . Retrieved 8 September 2011. Final Say: Alastair Campbell to answer questions on Reddit". The Independent. 19 September 2018. Archived from the original on 11 October 2018 . Retrieved 11 October 2018. MPs, he stresses, don’t have to be rotten, corrupt, self-serving; they can effect change. Wary of “dadsplaining”, he speaks to millennials for their perspective, and is admiring of Greta Thunberg, a lone young voice who spoke up against the global establishment. If she can, so can others. McGowan, Michael (23 July 2019). "Q&A: Alastair Campbell compares Donald Trump to Hitler". Guardian Australia. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019 . Retrieved 5 March 2020.

So though, yes, Johnson is out of power, as we are seeing in the United States, defeating a popul ist is not the same thing as defeating popul ism. Rishi Sunak is still having to bow to its pressures from people who feel, some with their huge Parliamentary majorities, that it really doesn’t matter what they say or do. Gary’s argument was fascinating. He argued that much of the change and improvements in Manchester have been made despite politics and not because of it”. Neville stressed that this wasn’t a criticism of the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. His powers remain limited, and much of this work predates the creation of the mayoralty but has more to do with the passion and brilliance of local campaigners, businesses, and communities. Perhaps the most important reform needed, however, is a change in how we elect our MPs. There is no such thing as a perfect electoral system. But our first past the post system is so far from perfect that it too must be revised and made fit for the very changed politics of today. He was sponsored by US President George W. Bush to complete the London Marathon in aid of leukaemia research charity Bloodwise.In November 2021 Campbell was featured in the BBC series Winter Walks, walking in the Yorkshire Dales along Ribblesdale, from a waterfall above the market town of Settle, to Catrigg Force near Stainforth, 5mi (8.0km) to the North. [97] The rise and fall of New Labour". BBC News. 3 August 2010. Archived from the original on 5 August 2010 . Retrieved 16 October 2010. That gulf contains a rich political seam for Labour if they promise – and come up with a plan – to fix our politics along with everything else that needs fixing after the 13-year omnishambles of national decline. Populism, polarisation and post-truth politics,’ largely define modern politics, both in the UK and abroad believes Campbell. Much of the reason for the current stagnation and polarisation lies at the door of this creeping populism which Campbell believes is part of the reason behind the rise of Boris Johnson as prime minister.

Campbell made his first appearance on the BBC One political discussion programme Question Time on 27 May 2010. At the opening of the edition, presenter David Dimbleby said that the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition would not allow a frontbench member of the government to appear on the show unless Campbell was dropped. The BBC refused to do this. The government later accused the BBC of behaving improperly for allowing Campbell to appear as a more in-depth version of his diaries was due to be published the following week, and a Downing Street spokesman told The Guardian, "Campbell seemed to be on because he's flogging a book next week, so the BBC haven't behaved entirely properly here." [34] Campbell said that he had waited until Labour were in opposition before appearing on the show and that the date was a coincidence as it was the only time he was free. He suggested the discord was part of a Conservative anti-BBC agenda. [34] The minister who had been scheduled to appear was the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury David Laws, who Campbell produced a picture of during the programme. Three days later, Laws resigned his post following revelations about possible irregularities in his expenses claims in The Telegraph the day before.He is a keen runner, cyclist, swimmer and triathlete. He raised over half a million pounds for charity running the London Marathon in 2003. In his 60s, he developed an interest in cold water swimming. [89] a b Robinson, James (28 May 2010). "Alastair Campbell Question Time row: Government hits out at BBC". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 31 May 2010 . Retrieved 28 May 2010. It probably is a bit of a campaign” he says, reflecting on the many conversations he’s had with young people up and down the country. The conversation will continue when Campbell comes to speak at UCL in the first event in this years Department of Political Science, Policy in Practice series. Rawnsley, Andrew (2001). Servants of the People: The Inside Story of New Labour. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-027850-8. Its three-part structure is a formula for successful campaigning. His audience? Well, the book tour has felt as much like a campaign as a sales drive. Campbell is in a fight to prove that, for all its faults, politics can make a difference in an age of apathy and anger.