Known as a political strategist, journalist and successful author, Alastair Campbell is best remembered as the director of communications and strategy for former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair, a position he held from 1997 until 2003. He is editor-at-large of The New European newspaper, which you can view at www.theneweuropean.co.uk/contributor/alastair-campbell/, and continues to comment on and influence political thought in this country.
Early Life and Journalism
He was born in 1957 in Keighley, West Yorkshire, and went on to study at Cambridge University. He had already formed many of his political ideas by this point, so it was only natural that when he began working as a journalist it would be for the Daily Mirror. He then moved on to the now-defunct Today newspaper.
Working for Tony Blair
In 1994 he became press secretary to Tony Blair, then Leader of the Opposition. He is seen as having played an important part in Labour’s return to power after 18 years in opposition. Labour’s landslide victory in 1997 saw him installed as director of communications and strategy. This made him one of the most powerful and influential people in UK politics without actually being elected.
Life After Downing Street
He left government in 2003 after many years working with Tony Blair and the Labour Party. He has remained a writer and commentator and a campaigner on mental health issues.