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Alastair Campbell Diaries #1
The Alastair Campbell Diaries: Volume One: Prelude to Power 1994-1997
As Alastair Campbell said in the introduction to The Blair Years , it was always his intention to publish the full version, covering his time as spokesman and chief strategist to Tony Blair. Prelude to Power is the first of four volumes, and covers the early days of New Labour, culminating in their victory at the polls in 1997.
Volume 1 details the extraordinary tensions between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as they resolved the question as to which one should stand to become Labor leader. It shows that right from the start, relations at the top were prone to enormous strain, suspicions and accusations of betrayal. Yet it also shows the political and personal bonds that tied them together, and which made them one of the most feared and respected electoral machines anywhere in the world.
A story of politics in the raw, Prelude to Power is above all an intimate, detailed portrait of the people who have done so much to shape modern history.
Volume 1 details the extraordinary tensions between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as they resolved the question as to which one should stand to become Labor leader. It shows that right from the start, relations at the top were prone to enormous strain, suspicions and accusations of betrayal. Yet it also shows the political and personal bonds that tied them together, and which made them one of the most feared and respected electoral machines anywhere in the world.
A story of politics in the raw, Prelude to Power is above all an intimate, detailed portrait of the people who have done so much to shape modern history.
774 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2010
110 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
About the author
Alastair Campbell
110 books210 followersAlastair 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 30, 2013
Well. This was fascinating. Gossipy, bitchy and great fun. How the New Labour outfit managed to look like slick operators and masters of spin I shall never know, as it seems that everyone hated everyone else and the whole thing was held together by AC working 24 hours a day and bollocking everyone at regular intervals.
Hardly anyone comes out well - Blair self centred, Prescott paranoid, Cook vain, Brown spending the whole three years in a giant sulk, Mandelson alternately stropping out of meetings and whingeing that everyone hates him. Harman vapid, Short self-righteous. Blunkett and Dewar appear competent, and he seems to like Margaret Beckett but that's about it.
Very interesting to read nearly 20 years on (yes, really - I do feel old). 1997 was my first general election and reading about it now, with everything that came after, is a bit strange.
I definitely plan to read the next volume..
Hardly anyone comes out well - Blair self centred, Prescott paranoid, Cook vain, Brown spending the whole three years in a giant sulk, Mandelson alternately stropping out of meetings and whingeing that everyone hates him. Harman vapid, Short self-righteous. Blunkett and Dewar appear competent, and he seems to like Margaret Beckett but that's about it.
Very interesting to read nearly 20 years on (yes, really - I do feel old). 1997 was my first general election and reading about it now, with everything that came after, is a bit strange.
I definitely plan to read the next volume..
August 19, 2025
This was quite the read and I didn’t think I would enjoy it as much as I did. The day to day political account is interesting, but the psychodrama surrounding New Labour is utterly fascinating and often hilarious. Characters are bitchy and constantly getting into (often) pointless arguments. There is a surprising amount of nudity, particularly from Tony Blair, and a strange psychosexual tension between Princess Diana and Alastair Campbell.
March 3, 2023
The podcast world's man of the moment is, not surprisingly, a superb diarist. Charting the three years between John Smith's death and the May 1997 general election, entries reveal the clash of massive egos (sparked by a big brooding Chancellor-in-waiting in particular - hardly a spoiler alert) and the battle for direction within the Labour Party. Campbell's forte is clearly strategy and trying to move such a disparate political machine to roll in the same direction is constantly recorded as an extremely tough gig.
The other strand that fascinates is Campbell's reaction to events - when to castigate, when to hold hands up and when to ignore...also when to promote. When the Party's election strategy is about to be leaked in the run up to polling day, copies are handed out to the media by Campbell to pre-empt the event. If he was just a bully, most likely he wouldn't have proved so successful in positioning his leader's message.
An account of a dinner with Princess Diana in early 1997 is all the more entertaining given he seemingly has - unlike most authors - no agenda regarding her.
The uncertainty of outcome for the election in the Blair camp until late is notable, doubts creeping in for leader and press secretary alike. All in all, the sense of exhaustion and adrenaline in eternal campaign-land is palpable. Looking forward to getting to grips with volume two.
The other strand that fascinates is Campbell's reaction to events - when to castigate, when to hold hands up and when to ignore...also when to promote. When the Party's election strategy is about to be leaked in the run up to polling day, copies are handed out to the media by Campbell to pre-empt the event. If he was just a bully, most likely he wouldn't have proved so successful in positioning his leader's message.
An account of a dinner with Princess Diana in early 1997 is all the more entertaining given he seemingly has - unlike most authors - no agenda regarding her.
The uncertainty of outcome for the election in the Blair camp until late is notable, doubts creeping in for leader and press secretary alike. All in all, the sense of exhaustion and adrenaline in eternal campaign-land is palpable. Looking forward to getting to grips with volume two.
January 30, 2026
FINISHED. What a marathon. Can’t say I really enjoyed it, it was intriguing and eye opening to read, and the quote on the back likening events to The Thick of It is bang on. Campbell does come across as a fairly honest narrator but obviously you’re only getting his view of events. The detail is staggering, and often a bit overwhelming. I am slightly too young for this to be an exposé about events I remember, so it doesn’t have the personal connection that reading about later elections might have for me. I have had some interesting discussions with Paul during my reading of it as to whether discovering just how dysfunctional the early days of New Labour were is reassuring or deeply depressing. I probably will read the next one but I need a decent break from the moaning first.
April 10, 2021
With volume 8 just published and arriving in the post last week (I am on page 300) it seemed a good time to go back to the beginning and the period from John Smith dying to Labour winning the 1997 election on the day my Nan died. A great read - especially stressful holidays in France and the Hackney dinner party with Princess Diana. Probably not recommended reading for Clare Short. Fascinating how obvious was right from the outset that GB was never reconciled to TB being leader and spent so much time never being fully invested in what the author sees as the central arguments for New Labour but is, time and again, just a little to the left - wherever that might be.
April 18, 2022
A very drawn out account of the period from John Smith's death in 1994 to Labour winning power in 1997. At times it felt that it would take 3 years to get through it! The book could have been improved by editing.
There were some interesting sections for example, Robin Cook counselling against alignment with American policy in Iraq a full 10 years before the war. It was also interesting to learn that Gordon Brown's behaviour deteriorated immediately after Blair became leader. However much of this was lost through turgid prose.
It was rather sad at the end to read of the wave of optimism that greeted Blair's victory, knowing that he would lead the country into war.
There were some interesting sections for example, Robin Cook counselling against alignment with American policy in Iraq a full 10 years before the war. It was also interesting to learn that Gordon Brown's behaviour deteriorated immediately after Blair became leader. However much of this was lost through turgid prose.
It was rather sad at the end to read of the wave of optimism that greeted Blair's victory, knowing that he would lead the country into war.
February 26, 2024
I find Campbell fascinating.
A man with his heart in the right place, but will step over lines to get what he wants.
Misguided, loyal, ruthless.
And fuck me, when I read this, bitchy too.
Will definitely read next version at some point.
A man with his heart in the right place, but will step over lines to get what he wants.
Misguided, loyal, ruthless.
And fuck me, when I read this, bitchy too.
Will definitely read next version at some point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2021
What a truly fantastic book and an amazing insight into the making of British Political History. Can’t wait to start Vol.2!!!!
October 27, 2021
*3.5
It's so funny to me, as a Labour party member, to know that we've basically been arguing about exactly the same stuff for 25 years
It's so funny to me, as a Labour party member, to know that we've basically been arguing about exactly the same stuff for 25 years
March 15, 2022
Eye opening and brutally honest, this a political diary that is warts and all within the political regime that was going to cause an earthquake in British politics.
June 12, 2022
Love the format and the gravity
March 23, 2023
Fascinating, insiders tale of the Blair shadow cabinet. Look forward to reading of his time in Government.
December 1, 2024
I love this book very much, I thoroughly enjoyed the insight it gave to the years of opposition from 1994-1997. Amazing. Alastair Campbell's mind is a phenomenon.
December 31, 2024
Really interesting insight into the opposition years of Tony Blair's leadership of the Labour Party. Only drawback is that it being diary entries makes it slow going sometimes.
February 15, 2026
i felt like his therapist, and campbell was just gossiping
i love that tho
i love that tho
October 12, 2011
My first thought on reading through several lengthy entries was "Where did he get the time?" Latterly, I thought "Where did he get the inclination?" Spending literally every day of the week with this cast of oddities would stretch normal people's tolerances beyond the limit. The overall impression is how childish and petty a lot of these key politicians were - Blair himself, Mandleson, Prescott, Cook and, of course, Brown. Campbell observes from a distance and is infuriated, challenged and impressed as the entries roll by. I did wonder, however, how much personal opinion had been edited out, as the fury he feels over certain people and actions is often muted and written between the lines.
As the diaries progress, my disdain for politicians just grew. We let this lot run the country? Self-centred, egotistical, cursed (or blessed) with breathtaking lack of insight, you wouldn't let this bunch run their own nose. If any one of them were a barman at your local pub, you'd never cross the threshold. Colossally dull, self-centred bores. And if Cherie were a barmaid.....
I began to wonder how Campbell managed to stick with them. Obviously it must have been a terrific thrill to feel you were at the centre of power, of convincing yourself that you were making a difference, but as I read of the shenanigans politicians are caught up in it only convinced me more and more of how increasingly irrelevant most of them are. Blair had ten years of so called power. Apart from being remembered for exactly what neither he nor Campbell want to be remembered for, what else did they achieve? When they went, the world turned without them. Not surprising really, after reading these diaries, because this lot hardly recognised the world outside that of their own limited viewpoint. They were their own world. Campbell's diaries plod on day after day totally focused on the internal issues he has to deal with. Meanwhile, out there in the real world, life went on, but Campbell doesn't have much time to mention it, apart from the odd Barnsley football game.
This would be a fascinating read for politicos, but I increasingly found it hard going. The book finishes on literally Election Day for Blair when he wins with a landslide (against probably the weakest Tory government and leader, ever, despite Campbell trying to build a case stating otherwise.) There's little joy or euphoria for Campbell - no change there then - and not much else but a sense of exhaustion over the work to come. I doubt I'll be reading any more of Campbell's diaries I'm afraid, they're just too much like work getting through them.
As the diaries progress, my disdain for politicians just grew. We let this lot run the country? Self-centred, egotistical, cursed (or blessed) with breathtaking lack of insight, you wouldn't let this bunch run their own nose. If any one of them were a barman at your local pub, you'd never cross the threshold. Colossally dull, self-centred bores. And if Cherie were a barmaid.....
I began to wonder how Campbell managed to stick with them. Obviously it must have been a terrific thrill to feel you were at the centre of power, of convincing yourself that you were making a difference, but as I read of the shenanigans politicians are caught up in it only convinced me more and more of how increasingly irrelevant most of them are. Blair had ten years of so called power. Apart from being remembered for exactly what neither he nor Campbell want to be remembered for, what else did they achieve? When they went, the world turned without them. Not surprising really, after reading these diaries, because this lot hardly recognised the world outside that of their own limited viewpoint. They were their own world. Campbell's diaries plod on day after day totally focused on the internal issues he has to deal with. Meanwhile, out there in the real world, life went on, but Campbell doesn't have much time to mention it, apart from the odd Barnsley football game.
This would be a fascinating read for politicos, but I increasingly found it hard going. The book finishes on literally Election Day for Blair when he wins with a landslide (against probably the weakest Tory government and leader, ever, despite Campbell trying to build a case stating otherwise.) There's little joy or euphoria for Campbell - no change there then - and not much else but a sense of exhaustion over the work to come. I doubt I'll be reading any more of Campbell's diaries I'm afraid, they're just too much like work getting through them.
October 18, 2013
I have a practically inexhaustible capacity for reading books about politics be they history, memoir or diaries. Postwar British political history is particularly well served with books by key (and not so key) players. Sometimes it's feels like everyone who may have accidentally visited Westminster has written a book about it. However these diaries really are an important insight into the Blair years. This first volume takes us from the day John Smith died to the day Tony Blair first walked into Downing Street as PM. To be frank, reading these diaries I am surprised he ever made it. Everyone knows there were tensions at the top but this book makes it clear they were a big problem right from day one. Gordon Brown looms large as a person who threw the biggest strop in modern British politics...unable to work constructively with anyone and convinced he was being briefed against when in fact it was his team (Balls/E. Milliband/Whelan) who seemed to be briefing against everybody else at one time or another. Brown and Mandelson could not work with each other at all, so it's a surprise that they ever reconciled to the extent that the latter became effectively Deputy PM in the latter's government. It's clear that Blair was too soft on Brown...felt (wrongly in my opinion) that he owed him. He should have got rid of him...Brown had no real allies in the Shadow Cabinet and I doubt things would have been too awful without him. In fairness it wasn't just Brown that was a problem - Mandelson (a Prima Donna prone to tantrums) Cook, Short, Prescott and (to a lesser extent) Mowlam all caused trouble. The rest of the Shadow Cabinet hardly get a look in. Campbell - as you would expect - comes out of it well, but I'm sure there has been a bit of hindsight sneakily added (I don't for one minute believe he thought Carole Caplin was trouble right from the first time they met) he also suffers under the delusion that Diana, Princess of Wales fancied him. However these gripes aside it's a gripping read and frankly Campbell comes across as honourable...obviously knowing what is in store, I'll be interested to see if my view changes as I read the subsequent volumes.
January 6, 2017
Despite the length I got through this pretty fast - partly because it was due back at the library, and partly because it was such a good read. I don't think I had realised quite how much conflict between the key players was there right from the start, and the 1997 landslide seems a bit mad considering how much sniping and silly behaviour there was going on. All the anecdotal stuff brought it to life, eg Mo Mowlam in the bath, advice from Alex Ferguson, Alan Sugar being nervous about becoming well known - probably didn't need to hear about Blair's balls hanging out though...Looking forward to reading the next installment.
January 23, 2016
Good God, this book is exhausting. At first I enjoyed its breakneck speed and rapid prose, but after a while, I quite genuinely felt stressed when I picked it up. Frankly, I have enough nonsense, chaos and confusion in my own job without feeling like I'm living through Alistair Campbell's career too. I will not be reading the next volumes, it is far too tiring.
December 26, 2011
Interesting about the operation of power in the modern government. Didn't make me like Blair any more than I did (not much) and revealed Campbell as a complex, touchy, controlling idealist.
November 13, 2012
self serving and gossipy. I liked it.
January 8, 2013
Certainly more interesting in opposition than in power. Shows Blair and Brown as being gits of equal measure.
August 21, 2013
Fascinating, warts and all!
did-not-finish
October 17, 2014No hard feelings Alastair, but this diary is loooong, may hunt down the abridged version instead!
December 22, 2015
Not sure he comes across a very likeable guy; also this book confirms Brown was dysfunctional all the way back to 1994
June 6, 2016
Very interesting read but hard work.
great portrayal of the key characters in New Labour, amazing to think how well it all went given the disunity
great portrayal of the key characters in New Labour, amazing to think how well it all went given the disunity
May 30, 2013
Absolutely top notch. Brilliant, thrilling and insightful.
May 26, 2016
Fun and gossipy tome from an excessively large ego !
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews