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Alastair Campbell on Starmer, Sunak, and Saving Britain From Itself

Politics &
Economics

What can be done about the chaos of current British politics?

Alastair Campbell knows a thing or two about creating change in British politics. Often described as the second most powerful figure in Britain during the Blair years, he was pivotal in leading New Labour to victory in 1997 and worked alongside Blair as his closest confidant and strategist through three terms in power. In recent years Campbell has become a podcasting sensation as the co-host of The Rest is Politics podcast, dissecting what’s gone wrong in British politics – and more – with former Conservative Party minister Rory Stewart.

In February 2024 he came to Intelligence Squared to discuss what to do about the chaos of current British politics. Drawing on his latest book But What Can I Do? he explored what he sees as  the radicalisation of the Tory party and whether Keir Starmer has what it takes to be the first Labour leader since Tony Blair to lead Labour into government. He also discussed the ‘Centrist Dad’ label that has been attached to him by the media and to centrist politicians like Starmer himself: has the time now come for centrists to take control of Britain?

Speakers for the motion

  • Alastair Campbell

    Former political strategist, podcaster and author of But What Can I Do?

Chair

  • Josh Glancy

    Editor of News Review at The Sunday Times

Speakers are subject to change.

Speakers

Speaker

Alastair Campbell

Former political strategist, podcaster and author of But What Can I Do?

Official spokesperson and director of communications and strategy in Tony Blair’s government from 1994 to 2003.. He is also a leading advocate in the field of mental health, and co-presenter of one of the UK’s most popular podcasts The Rest Is Politics. Campbell’s first book, The Blair Years, was a number one Sunday Times bestseller. His latest book is But What Can I Do: Why Politics Has Gone So Wrong, and How You Can Help Fix It    
Chair

Josh Glancy

Editor of News Review at The Sunday Times

Editor of News Review at The Sunday Times where he also contributes regular columns and features. Previously he was the paper’s special correspondent, writing about everything from politics and football to AI and monarchy. Before that, Josh spent five years in America, where he was the paper’s Washington correspondent and before that New York correspondent, also contributing a regular magazine column on life in the States. Josh has been nominated three times for feature writer and interviewer of the year, at the Press Awards and British Journalism Awards.