The Blair Years [Hardcover]

 

 

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Campbell goes from narrator to historical commentator to hysterical translator for the thoughts of his main man of the time TB.

The book does make you wonder at times that Campbell may see himself as more important and influencial than he perhaps was, but us common folk, we will never know. If all he says is true, then the diaries have a story to tell more compelling than any of us can imagine.

Insightful, funny, and a story which goes right to the heart of the world events of the day, I found the Blair Years a credible/incredible account of the New Labour project and one that anyone interested in politics in this country should read. Loads of funny asides about TB's dress sense and the nuances of others, Campbell is a fantastic storyteller and someone who sharp observations on human behavoiour.

AC has an ego no doubt, but it is so big that he tries to out-spin once again the power people of this country in order to secure his place in the history of New Labour? - I hope not, but in any case I'm opening the first page of "Prelude to Power" to try and find out a bit more.

Alastair Campbell spent the period 1994-2003 as the chief `spin-doctor' of Tony Blair, with job of putting him, and later the New Labour government, in the best possible light. This volume contains edited extracts from the diaries he kept during the period. Like all political documents written specifically for future publication they should be approached critically, so it is useful to know where Campbell stands at present. Helpfully he lists in the Introduction what he believes are the achievements during this period. Some are substantial and undeniable, such as peace in Northern Ireland and the intervention in the Balkans. Others are much more controversial, such as a `reformed educational system' and an `improved health service'. About Iraq, which, rightly or wrongly, will be remembered as the Blair `legacy', he simply says that he hopes the book will add to the discussion that `will run for years, if not decades'.

The diaries themselves are fascinating and give a unique insight to the frenetic world of politics at the highest level, with its endless round of meetings and conferences, and crises, great and small, demanding solutions. The brief sketches of the personalities involved, both national and international, and their interactions, are some of the most interesting parts of the diaries. We learn of the extraordinary way Blair used his closest advisors to deliberately work himself up into a kind of panic before delivering important speeches, and how the endless friction between Blair, Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson frequently poisoned the atmosphere. Above all there is the obsession with the media and the image of New Labour. Everyone opposing them (and that means practically all reporters) is vilified by Campbell in abusive, often sexual language, whereas supporters are praised as `sound' and having a clear understanding of the wider view. It is all a little too simplistic. The obsession with the media is in some ways surprising, because Campbell frequently advises others attacked in the press to ignore it, as it will `soon blow over'. He also notes that despite their best efforts the media failed to topple President Clinton, despite the Monica Lewinsky affair.

There are other surprises in the diaries, for example the lengths that Blair went to keep the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, `onside'. Prescott was portrayed in the media as a buffoon and it is no exaggeration to say that the general public concurred with this view and were unable to see what was his role was. Had he been dismissed following the disclosure of his later risible sexual antics with his secretary in his office during working hours, the public would have applauded, but he was not disciplined in any serious way. The reason for his apparent invulnerability is not clear from the diaries.

Campbell certainly pulls no punches, not just about the media and the Tories, and does not hesitate to criticise his own side, usually if they oppose the party line as Mo Mowlam and Claire Short frequently did, but also from time-to-time Blair himself and even Blair's wife, Cherie. This gives the diaries the ring of authenticity and honesty. In other places they are not so convincing. Amongst these is the account of the so-called `dodgy dossier' and its inclusion of the claim that Saddam Hussein had `weapons of mass destruction' available at 45 minutes notice. (Incidentally, neither term appears in the index.) Campbell accuses the BBC of sophistry in its statements about the role of its reporter Andrew Gilligan, but a similar charge could be made about Campbell's account of his own role in preparing the dossier and `outing' the scientist Dr Kelly, who later committed suicide.

The diaries are, inevitably, also about Campbell himself. Regardless of whether one accepts his view of politics or not, one can only admire the energy of a man who overcame a problem with alcohol and a serious psychotic breakdown (which he freely discusses in the diaries) to become, in many people's opinion, the second most powerful man in the country. At times the extraordinary pace of his work and the absurdly long hours resulted in solitary sobbing sessions, had serious consequences for his personal family relations, and were a contributory factor in his decision to leave the job. It is a measure of his loyalty that someone who clearly admires achievement so much could continue to make regular long journeys to support Burnley football club!

I greatly enjoyed these diaries, although they are probably a little long for the general reader who just wants to get a flavour of how New Labour came to power and how it operated when in government. For example, it does not need almost 800 pages to understand that Cabinet was largely a sideshow and that major decisions were taken by Blair and a small group of his closest advisors, or the importance attached to media reporting by New Labour. However, I am sure the detailed material in this volume (and in several further projected volumes) will be of enormous help to future historians of the period.

After doing a Marketing degree I really admired Alistair Campbell and his work for Labour - despite the morals and some decisions of TB. Listening to him recall his time working for Blair was really interesting. I know all diaries contain some 'pinch of salt' moments, this was absolutely fascinating.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Ammendment
I recently completed feedback regarding a transaction with Queenie4, the comments were extremely positive as the service; timeline for delivery, packaging and quality of product... Read more

Published 11 months ago by macfar

2.0 out of 5 stars How sad
The key to this book, perhaps the entire administration, is that Alistair Campbell thought Carol Caplin was 'trouble with a capital T'. Not the warmongering Blair. Read more

Published 19 months ago by Jonathan Carr

5.0 out of 5 stars Alistair Campbell's 'The Blair Years'
I am only part the way through but so far it is a very honest account of the Blair years. It provides a very good insight into that period of UK government. Read more

Published 19 months ago by Barb

4.0 out of 5 stars Blair Years
Good book. Weighty, but needs to be to cover the issues of the time. Campbell's writing style is very conversational which you'll get used to eventually. Read more

Published on 9 Oct 2009 by P. Smith

1.0 out of 5 stars Poor, tabloidy
This is an amateurish publication, with few relevant revelations about the New Labour era. This is a cheap effort to make a quick buck, and not worth purchasing.

Published on 17 Aug 2009 by T. Brooks

1.0 out of 5 stars Poor
This is not very well written, not very educational and reads like a personal advertisement for the great man that is campbell. Read more

Published on 4 Mar 2009 by GS

4.0 out of 5 stars great read
the alastair campbell diaries was to me what i thought it would be a great read that let's in to the forming of a new labour and the personal issues concerning alastair in his own... Read more

Published on 2 Mar 2009 by P. M. Baker

5.0 out of 5 stars The political game
THIS BOOK REALLY SAYS IT ALL.INTERESTING,COMBATIVE,BLAIR IS AN OPEN ,DECENT AND COMMITED MAN.CAMPELL WAS EVER SO LOYAL UNDER GREAT STRAIN. Read more

Published on 11 Jan 2009 by S. Beaumaris

3.0 out of 5 stars A Tale of Office Politics
Campbell has a sharp eye for personal description and these pull the reader through the book, they are funny and rude. Read more

Published on 12 Aug 2008 by Ms. N. C. Browne

3.0 out of 5 stars The Blair Years - but where was Brown?
It is probably inevitable that Alastair Campbell, as a New Labour supporter, would be reluctant to rock the boat while there was still a chance that the party could retain power... Read more

Published on 24 Jun 2008 by A reader

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