But What Can I Do?

by Alastair Campbell

'Your country needs you. Your world needs you. Your time is now.'Our politics is a mess. Leaders who can't or shouldn't be allowed to lead. Governments that lie, and seek to undermine our democratic values. Policies that serve the interests of the privileged few. It's no surprise that so many of us feel frustrated, let down and drawn to ask, ' But what can I do? 'That question is the inspiration behind this book. It's a question regularly posed to Alastair Campbell, not least in reaction to The Rest is Politics , the chart-topping podcast he presents with Rory Stewart. His answer, typically, is forthright and impassioned. We cannot afford to stand on the sidelines. If we think things need to change, then we need to change them, and that means getting involved.But What Can I Do? provides each of us with the motivation and the tools to make a difference. Opening with an acute analysis of our polarised world and the populists and extremists who have created it, it goes on to show how we can effect change for the better. It explains how we can develop our skills of advocacy and persuasion. It draws on Alastair's long experience to offer practical tips on putting together and leading a campaign team. It provides priceless advice on developing confidence and coping with criticism and setbacks. And it sets out the practical steps by which we can become political players ourselves.Part call to arms, part practical handbook, But What Can I Do? will prove required reading for anyone who wants to make a difference.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Audiobook, History, Society, British Literature, Current Affairs

321 pages, Hardcover

Published May 11, 2023

About the author

Alastair John Campbell is a British journalist, author, strategist, broadcaster, and activist, who is 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's director of communications and spokesman for the Labour Party (2000–2003).

Since his work for Blair, Campbell has continued to act as a freelance advisor to a number of governments and political parties, including Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Albania. He was an adviser to the People's Vote campaign, campaigning for a public vote on the final Brexit deal. He is the editor-at-large of The New European and chief interviewer for GQ. He acts as a consultant strategist and as an ambassador for Time to Change and other mental health charities. Throughout his time in Downing Street, Campbell kept a diary which reportedly totalled some two million words. Selected extracts, titled The Blair Years, were published in 2007. He expressed an intention to publish the diaries in fuller form, which he did from 2010 to 2018. In 2019, Campbell was expelled from the Labour Party after voting for the Liberal Democrats in that month's European elections. In 2022, Campbell launched the podcast The Rest Is Politics with Rory Stewart, which has been the top politics podcast in the UK in the Apple rankings since its launch.

Reviews

[Jan Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

the second half is excellent advise. The first 100 pages are at times interesting but at times sound a bit bitter.

[Ben Gompertz · Rating 1 out of 5]

As someone who is part of what I think is the book’s main target audience, sadly it isn’t a useful answer to the titular question. There’s a lot of pontificating about populism which would be interesting, but is ultimately irrelevant. The part of the book dedicated to answering the ultimate question is totally abstract and focuses on things which would make you better at achieving your goal once you know what it is - like perseverance and good communication - which is hardly the kind of useful advice that the book promises.
Too much of the book is focused on ‘why’ you should do something and what to do when you lose hope rather than answering the hard ‘what’ should you do and ‘how’ should you do it questions.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A weirdly inspiring and political personal growth book. Inside you won’t find apology, but reflections on prior successes. Strategies such as OST, GGOOB, and Persevilience stick right with you as you make your way through part memoir, part political guide, and part current affairs.

At times you are sucked into the writing. You can’t help but read it in Alastair’s voice, especially if you have listened to the amazing podcast hosted with Rory Stewart. Other times, you ask, what’s your larger point? Only to be reminded by a summarized bulleted list forcing you to reflect on all the wisdom of the prior chapter. I do feel as though there were some ramblings - but to me it just radiates the idea of thinking in writing.

Overall, a solid 4/5. Somehow, I still do allow the pessimism to triumph over my optimism and say, “it really is not that easy.” But more than anything, it is motivation - I am more than willing to put myself out there into the political ring. I even landed a new political job while in the midst of reading this book, which certainly sourced some of my courage to take it over another opportunity.

Anyone who is even slightly on edge about their political involvement, this is for you. As a (British) US reader, it did take me a couple weeks to get a copy (thank you grandparents and the British postal service). But as a (British) US reader, the lessons translate the exact same… it’s time to do something, and this guide can help you figure out what.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked his diagnosis of the global situation whereby populism and right wing stuff has taken over because of financial crises and general economic issues. But I really disliked how Campbell made no mention of the fact that Labour has not offered a sufficient enough alternative - which also presents a huge problem for perpetuating this situation. He pointed the finger solely and the right wing who unfairly portray the left as "woke snowflakes" (i'm so bored of hearing that phrase now), but didn't stop to think how the left might also be at fault themselves.
There were some gems in this book for general campaigning, such as OST (Objective, Strategy, Tactics) and he used good examples as illustrations. However, it only got really specific towards the end of the book of the logistics of getting into parliamentary politics etc. The rest was quite vague. I also thought he should have acknowledged that people who work full time and have other obligations, have very little energy to devote to political campaigning and maybe we have to adapt suggestions for that.

[Graeme Meyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Campbell’s writing is smooth and a lot of fun, but he’s retrod a lot of the same ground elsewhere, and really this feels more like a collection of things he wanted to say than an actual guide on “But What Can I Do?“. Other than making people who read it a bit angry, I can’t imagine anyone coming out of this book with a better idea of what they should do.

[Ella Khulusi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does a nosedive halfway through from great to quite annoying.

I really enjoyed the first section where he writes about polarisation, populism and the rise of the far right in various countries - passionate and compelling. The self-promotion and pro-Blair agenda felt a bit more manageable in this section as it actually also had some substance.

I found the second section a bit wishy washy motivational self-helpy, and the tone suddenly became really self-important. I preferred when the focus was on campaigners he admires rather than his own past campaigns, as he paints all his past Labour campaigns in such a rosy glow and only superficially acknowledges Labour failures of the past couple of decades.

[Lord Bathcanoe of Snark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not yet read this book but fully intend to at the soonest possible opportunity.
I have already given it five stars because I know how brilliant it's likely to be.
I have seen Alistair many times on political shows,
and the first thing that comes across about him is his extreme humility and his open mindedness towards other people's opinions.
He is never bombastic or rude and condescending to other guests on the show.
I would also like to thank him for his support of our great war hero Tony Blair during the Iraq crisis. They saved Britain from nuclear obliteration.
BOZINGA!

[Kitty · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh. vb peaks andma kolm tärni, sest oli täiesti loetav raamat ja midagi polnud valesti jne, aga ma ootasin midagi muud ja/või midagi enamat.

lugesin juba teistest arvustustest, et algus on pikk ja kibestunud - okei, ega vist ei olegi võimalik mittekibestunud olla selle suhtes, mis hetkel maailmas ja eriti briti poliitikas toimub. siiski oleks oodanud natuke vähem... ränti. ma olen Alastairi vaadete ja seisukohtadega iseenesest täiesti nõus, aga isegi mind väsitab, kui ma pean lugema kahe lehekülje kohta kolm korda väljendit "Kamikwasi Trussonomics". see nali töötab ühe korra ja on isegi siis juba paras... dad joke.

pärast seda, kui meile tehakse veel kord puust ja punasest selgeks, kui pekkis kõik on, tuleb raamatu teine pool, kus lubatakse seletada, mida me siis teha saame. kahjuks selleni ka ei jõuta veel tükk aega, sest enne miskipärast on see osa, et kuidas. minu vanuses olen ma kõiki neid nõuandeid juba kuulnud. eesmärgid ja strateegia ja taktika, enesekindlus ja juhioskused ja meeskonnatöö ja kuni selleni välja, et päriselt ka soovitatakse rohkem vett juua ja šokolaadi asemel puuvilju süüa ja trennitegemist mitte unustada.

ja siis lõpuks umbes ühe peatüki jagu sellest, et... selleks, et poliitikat muuta, tuleb minna ja seda poliitikat teha. ei midagi revolutsioonilist - ikka seesama, et astu erakonda ja osale kampaaniates ja kandideeri valimistel kohalikku omavalitsusse ja äkki, kui veab, jõuad kunagi parlamentigi, aga kui ei jõua või taha, pole hullu, kogu poliitika ongi tegelikult kohalik. ja hoiatus, et kampaaniaid teha ei tohi kuskil twitteris, vaid tuleb ikka ukselt uksele käia. ehk siis vastus küsimusele "mida ma saan teha" on põhimõtteliselt "tee hästi palju sedasama, mida kõik teised praegu juba teevad".

klge, ma ei tea, ma ei osta seda absoluutselt. esiteks minu meelest ei usu Alastair ise ka selle praeguse briti poliitilise süsteemi jätkusuutlikusse, aga ometi ei paku ta välja mitte mingit põhimõttelist muutust. lihtsalt et paneme samadesse struktuuridesse nooremad ja paremini hüdreeritud ja vasakpoolsemate vaadetega inimesed ja saabki kohe kõik korda. ja teiseks mina kohe kindlasti ei usu, et rohkem sedasama saaks mingi muutuse tuua.

ühesõnaga, ma ikka ei pane rohkem tärne. ma olen endiselt Alastairi ja "The rest is Politics" podcasti andunud austaja, aga ootan juba suht elevusega, et saaks ette võtta teise saatejuhi Rory Stewarti raamatu, mis paistab olevat oluliselt pessimistlikum ja seetõttu klapib mu enda arusaamaga asjadest paremini :P

[Jacob Stelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting call-to-arms to young people who are looking to change the world but perhaps don’t know how. Drawing on his years of real-world experience, Campbell offers a roadmap of sorts, with practical advice on how to make a difference.

I’ll admit to being slightly disappointed at this offering, however, with the first part in particular slightly lacking originality. I get the aim was to present the state of affairs as they are, but felt that this part of the book had less to offer than the latter half.

An easy read overall, despite some reservations.

[Daniel Penaliggon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time a classic 100% audio ingested while driving to/from/cutting-chicken-for-hours-at-work…😩

Super cool book.

In essence a very long fireside chat with your ex professionally political uncle. Not as exciting or well written as Rory’s book, but I suppose that comes with the more self help/info style.

Defo need to read about the Blair years (and Iraq), alistairs famous 80’s mental break (poor guy was going through the mill apparently), and at some point all this 70’s thatcher unions stuff that seems to have shaped opinions so deeply 60 years later.

Friends of mine suggestions r welcome XD

[Paul Snelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of thirds. the first an interesting, if unchallenging recent history of politics - with the second and third parts consisting of advice and exhortation. you can tell - I think - that he's a journalist and and not a politician or academic (like Rory). Some of the writing is repetitive and over simplistic. The book draws lessons from great politicians and leaders, perhaps too much as I guess that many people who want to do something don' want to lead a campaign or become an MP. There's some advice about how to question media reports - and I think that this cold have been developed further with some examples of how things are spun and how we can spot it. That would perhaps help convince people that the the first thing that they need to do is question their own values and beliefs and how these fit into what they are being sold. Some interesting sections but just not very convincing, or, I suspect,helpful.

[AmyAmyAmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/5 for one of the most interesting and motivational books I’ve ever read about politics.

Listening to TRiP podcast has reignited my engagement with politics and campaigning, and this book is a great guide to the pitfalls and positives.

After 2016 - Brexit, Trump, rise of populism, nasty social media etc - and then the horrors of the Tory governments since, I’d disengaged with politics and didn’t want to be associated with a country that supported nationalist, isolationist and racist policy and practice.

But now I’m back in for the fight….

Thank you Alastair (& Rory!) for disagreeing agreeably, it’s so refreshing in the quagmire of shouty sound bites and mainstream media.

[Jonathan Downing · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too partisan to reach the heights of other books looking to critique contemporary politics and offer a call to action.

[mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an useful introduction about how to get engaged in politics. I pretend I'm not, but I know I am a hugely political person. I have lots of opinions on many policies and politicians. But I tend to steer away from consuming news about politics because it often feels so disheartening. I hate that this has been my go-to response with politics as it comes from a place of such privilege. But with the upcoming general election, I decided to pick up a book about politics to get the ball rolling again.

The first part of this book focusing on delivering hard facts about the current political climate. Campbell recognises that there are real threats to democracy such as the rise of polarisation and fascism. This section is arguably too depressing. I, however, believe that it is necessary to motivate people who want to see change into action. The recap of politics from the past decade was educational for me who has been unaware of how the nuances of campaigns played about before I was able to vote.

While the first section was depressing, the later half was honestly inspiring and quite moving. The importance of not being cynical and instead engaging in politics to see the change you want to see was really powerful. I often get disheartened at the state of our political landscape but this book reminded me that, if you give up in frustration, change will never happen. I loved how Campbell gave real examples of people who have fought for change for the better, such as Greta Thunberg, Miep Gies and Bill W. The discussion of these remarkable people was moving and demonstrates the power one person can hold.

I also loved that this book provided more practical and reasonable methods to go about campaigning and creating change on a bigger and smaller scale. I liked the honestly of how hard pursuing a career in politics is. I know I am not going to be PM but I want to make a difference. So I appreciated this book giving methods to engage in politics in smaller but meaningful ways.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Campbell writes about what it takes to deliver change. I suppose the killer question, having finished reading this book “but what can I do”, must be what am I going to do? Did this book stimulate me to pull my socks up and get stuck in campaigning for better politics and a better life for everyone? Fortunately this was a love letter from Alistair Campbell to youth and as my youth is passed I can duck that particular question, especially in my sabbatical reading year! It’s a good book. It’s a bit of a rehash of some other things I’ve read from Campbell, which I think is probably why it only scores four stars but it is a decent treaties on what’s going wrong with the world, why people aren’t going into politics, and what really needs to change in order to reset the way things are. There’s a lot to like about his encouragement. I hope this book gets into the right hands. Youth, any of you fancy a read, I have a copy.

[Oliver Cape · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tough read at times due to the quantity of information that needed absorbing, however, the content was flawless. Campbell presents a thoughtful, compelling and thorough argument relating to the current issues with politics (including the people who brought them about). He passionately dissects populists and their manipulative tactics, which has given me a clearer sense of how they cause such chaos.
Part two was a lot more positive, in which he encourages young people to get involved with politics, and offers valuable methods that he used during the New Labour campaign. OST (Objective, Strategy, Tactics) stands out for me.

Overall, Campbell’s passion for politics and for young people to find (and more importantly, use) their voice is clear. The main element that I will take away from this book is Campbell’s reference to a quote from Nelson Mandela: “Everything is impossible: until you make it happen.”

[Victoria Roe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good; felt quite lengthy as it covers both the issues with politics today and the more practical steps to getting involved as an individual. Maybe the former felt longer because I’ve recently been listening to TRIP podcast so there was some repetition. Having said that, he explains the current circumstances very clearly and concisely considering their complexity. The latter was harder for me to stay completely engaged with as a reader as, despite the number of examples given, it’s quite theoretical stuff. I imagine it’d work really well as a structure to hold workshops etc around though, and I’ve certainly not seen anything else that is as practically focused on getting involved in politics.

[Atlantean BCT · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting read from someone who has extensive experience in politics. The analysis in part 1 is astute. The advice on how to get involved is practical but still daunting. It is a call, particularly to the young, to get involved. Fascinating snippets as well, who would have thought, for example, that Tony Blair is fearful of flying.

[Peter Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is important that the topics covered in this book are discussed and debated the growth of populism is a real challenge to us all. I found the section on getting a message across on the TRUTH principle interesting as a practical guide in particular.

[Robin Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part political history/commentary
Part self help/personal growth strategies

A great book if you want inspiration and motivation to become more politically active, but also a useful tool to be a better leader in any field.

Some new ideas I’ve started to incorporate into my day to day - think in ink, OST (objective, strategy, tactics) and my ultimate favourite, persevilience!

[Matthew Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to Audiobook, 3.5 stars. This book is partly a retelling of recent political history and the decline in Western democracy since the 2000s, partly a guide to teambuilding, leadership, and strategy, and partly advice for young people who want to enter politics. The main message of the book is that politics needs more conscientious young people in politics who are not satisfied with the direction they are being taken. I thought the first half of the book was fine, I've heard a lot of the political history before and heard it said in more compelling ways, but I found the second half of the book really useful and full of anectodes for personal and professional growth. There's a really good chapter on how to master public speaking that I will definitely refer back to in the future.

[Miss Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook, which I thoroughly enjoyed. There's some good insight on respect, team building, and the pros of simply getting involved. It does assume you already know where to start though. Would still recommend.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, thought provoking and useful regardless of your political leanings.

[Kieran Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I disagree with his political views, I think he has some great points in this book, and he's a very knowledgeable and wise man. I've learned a lot.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking and surprisingly optimistic about the future.

Well written by Campbell, a book that new voters should be encouraged to read.

[Joe Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid advice in the second half, overall a pretty interesting book and I’m planning on getting round to his podcast co-hosts book at some point.

[Colm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part 1 is lacking a contrasting voice - the role that Stewart plays on the podcast - and therefore reads like a pretty standard reflection on the current state of politics.
For the rest of the book Campbell drills down on campaigning and strategy - his area of expertise - and it's excellent.

[Ana Isabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts 2 and 3 redeem it, particularly his reflection on how his own comments about Tories might contribute to the very negative environment towards politicians.

[Theo Kokonas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important book that should be read by any voting age adult in the UK and even abroad. I'm an avid listener of "Rest is Politics" podcast so I'm already a fan, this just extends what he often talks about from a political standpoint.

[Ellie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part was incredibly depressing and anxiety-provoking (I cried) but very well written and made a lot of sense. The other parts were probably useful for someone who is more extroverted and generally better suited for politics or the media. Still, I have been inspired to look into trying to volunteer when I’m at university as well as when I’m at home. Hopefully, more of Campbell’s advice will be useful once I start my career journey, even if it will probably not be politics-/ media-adjacent.