Comments
Good luck to Number 10 on 'lobby' review. And a big NO to the other PR
2009-11-12 14:39:11
Just had a couple of very nice days in Vienna. Beautiful city, really clean. Spotted one piece of litter in an early morning run round the first district, which is the government and business area.
I was there to speak to spokesmen and women and political advisors from all the main government departments and the political parties. A spin symposium, critics of political and government communications would doubtless call it. But governments and major institutions around the world are having to come to terms with a totally changed media landscape.
I did my usual stuff, set out how we tried to adapt to the changed landscape by being more strategic in our comms, sufficient to help win three general elections and - whatever the media like to say - stay in with a chance of winning a fourth despite all the problems and the baggage that a long period in power inevitably brings.
I was there on the day Number 10 announced a review of relations with the media.
Good luck! I think it is fair to say that every time we tried to improve channels of communication, and improve political debate, the general media response was 'oh look, more spin.'
That went for putting briefings on the record, freedom of information legislation, the PM doing more extended interviews, or doing more daytime TV or 'non-news media,' and even when we instituted the monthly press conference. The problem with those, the Beeb's Nick Robinson said, was that Blair got so good at them 'they became boring.'
In other words, a PM communicating his own agenda on his own terms, and dealing with any question any journalist cares to ask ... no thanks. Give us gaffes, splits, rows, sensation and anything on 'our agenda' instead.
Other leaders used to ask TB 'what on earth do you put yourself through those monthly press conferences for?' This in addition to PMQs and TB becoming the first PM in history to go before select committees.
So I say 'good luck' in that rather worldweary tone because my experience of the political media is that whatever is tried, they will say it is not enough, or they will find something in it to carp and criticise.
To be fair to Simon Lewis, the current PM's spokesman, he is at least trying to take the 'lobby' with him and his review has more journalists on it than representatives of the government.
That might work. But it does rather increase my fears that what emerges will suit the narrow interests of the Westminster media, which should never be confused with the interests of the public.
Where Number 10 is absolutely right is to realise that 24 hour news, the internet, blogs, youtube, twitter, facebook and all the rest have changed the media faster in recent years than at any time since the advent of the printing press and the invention of the wireless and the TV.
But journalists on the review need to be honest enough to admit the paradox that we have more media space than ever, but less genuine debate and less public understanding of major issues. And they have to admit they are every bit as much part of the problem as any politician or any spin doctor.
When I said this in an interview with an Austrian journalist, he appeared taken aback. To be fair, the Austrian media is not quite the feral beast we know and don't particularly love in Britain.
But the real spin doctors are owners and editors with an agenda, and the journalists who follow their line. The Sun has given us a very good example of spin in recent days.
One final point from Austria ... I had breakfast with representatives of the Social Democrats and the Conservatives who make up the Grand Coalition which currently forms the government.
Listening to them describe every day attempts to govern and to communicate has further strengthened my view that Proportional Representation would be a a disaster. One of those things that sounds great - 'everyone will feel their vote matters' - but risks ending up satisfying nobody.
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Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
Hazico
2009-11-13 14:24:55Hi,
Following my previous blog about consensus of public opinions expressed in blogs and letters, please could check out the following as typical examples in our local press?
DET(Derby), and on web:
find "letters" on top tab(first click "news".)
"Is this a road we want to travel?"
"Party loyalty can make you blind."
"Labour has failed on the big issues."
Perhaps if there is anyone living in the East Midlands who'd like to check out this regular kind of blogging- it might give an insight into how some sections of the public perceive politics?
Thankyou.
Anthony Edwards, Wales
2009-11-13 02:17:07Mr. Campbell.
I have just finished watching the BBC programme where you were interviewed by Mr. Neill.
I was very interested in your campaign in relation to depression and mental illness.
I have suffered(badly) against depression, anxiety and panic attacks since 2003.
Thankfully i have overcome ALL symptoms, I am medication free.
At 49 years of age I have embarked on a new career as a Professional Golfer.
In 2009 I played on the Jamega Pro Tour, Celtic Pro Tour and Regional Qualifying for Turnberry 2009 for The Open Championship.
Next Year my goals are : To play Jamega Pro Tour. To play Celtic Pro Tour. To play Regional Qualifying for the 2010 Open Championship, To WIN The Open Championship and to be the ONLY welshman in the European RYDER CUP TEAM in WALES 2010(none of the others will make it)...I have posted tis on Mr. Montgomeries' website message board.(watch this space!).
What a story it would make and I can assure you I will give it my all.
Iff I can be any assistance in your campaign please let me know.
Anthony
Ted Keene
2009-11-12 21:52:13Not enough people realise what a disaster Proportional Representation is. I live a lot in Italy where there is a daily round of wheeling, dealing and skullduggery between a 3 party coalition of centre right conservatives, nationalists for an independent North and ex-neo fascists. And that is just the government; the oppsition lines up as 5 or 6 divergent self interested groups with no common interest. The government is the equivalent of a coalition of Tories, Scottish Nationalists and the BNP, with the BNP calling all the shots just to keep the governement alive.
By all means change to an alternative vote system for more fairness but avoid the PR disasters.
betty curtis
2009-11-12 20:57:46Alistair
I was excited when I heard these briefings could become televised. The Prime Minister has problems getting the media to write facts & this seems the answer but I would suspect the plug would be pulled on more than one occasion and the Tele would be plunged into darkness as journalists arrange a sensation for their "BREAKING NEWS TICKER" and we will be informed the story "WILL RUN FOR DAYS & DAYS"
John Murphy
2009-11-12 20:37:43Enjoyed hearing your programme about Jacques Brel on R4 today. I'm lucky inasmuch I can appreciate fully the French texts, I've lived in France for 35 years (Provence). They really are brilliant, as much when he attacks the 'bourgeoisie' as when he speak of his joy at the return of Mathilde, or getting drunk with his pal Jeff, or telling us about his physical and metaphorical'flat country' in "le plat pays". He really was a great artist and I understand fully the emotions of your erstwhile Belgian lorry driver.
Concerning 'le plat pays' and Brel's Flemish/French background, he sings this song beautifully in Flemish too and it sounds wonderful, makes you want to learn an otherwise seemingly uninteresting and not very useful language. If you haven't heard it I heartily recommend it to you.
Roger Dodger
2009-11-12 19:35:57Just noticed your site rather pretentiously calls itself 'The Official Website'. How many unofficial websites of yours are there?
There must be reams of tribute sites.
Charlie
2009-11-12 19:35:23@AC "But the real spin doctors are owners and editors with an agenda, and the journalists who follow their line. The Sun has given us a very good example of spin in recent days."
For an obviously quite intelligent man, you sometimes display an extraordinary lack of self-awareness. You and your little gang were happy enough to bask in the Sun's limelight in 1997.
Do you take us all for fools?
Hazico
2009-11-12 18:01:26Alistair,
I find your blog fascinating, and I wish this issue would be aired more. I personally am sick and tired of feeling manipulated by the tabloid media, and sometimes the local press.It seems like a mincemeat machine- and perhaps it's primary function is to entertain, not inform.(and to sell papers!) Sorry to state the obvious- but I think it's become a real problem, in that perhaps circa 5 million Sun readers, and of the Daily Mail fraternity seem to dominate mainstream views?
One gets so used to hearing tabloid headlines and spin, in the end I think the public either adopt quite extreme views, or switch off completely.This seems like alienation rather than engagement by the public....this is not what are forebears fought for!!
I think our lives are dominated by TV, the internet, facebook etc, and trivia.Very depressing- I hope something wakes us all up soon.
Somehow I feel we need an equivalent British "Obama" to lead and inspire- and to break through all the "crap."
Maybe that type of approach would remind people they do have some power of speech, and should exercise it.
We are not sheep!!!I liked Peter Hain's speech the other day- we need to hear more of that passion...
I actually wish there could be a closer dialogue between the public and politicians, at a basic human level, without the intermediary of the media.They don't always get it right- and often express highly cynical and patronising views!
Otherwise politicians end up in camps and cabals behind closed doors, and the public feel suspicious, and rely on the papers to dictate everything.The expenses row was a good example.
How this could be acheived is something to ponder over....but maybe the blogs on groups like Labour List are a start?
Politicians might be surprised to learn that some of us are more sympathetic and open to ideas than portrayed by carriacatures in the media.
However, I have to admit to being hooked on to Newsnight, Rado 4, the Guardian and Indepedent! (maybe I'm a stereotype too!!!
Finally, I think it should be "all hands on deck" in the Labour party pre election! We all have something valuable to offer- and it is our country and our future at stake.
Cheers, Jo.
Marion
2009-11-12 17:19:35Each electoral system has it benefits and problems, and a selection of supporters from various parties. I would like the cabinet and leader of the Commons to be elected from within the house. WITHOUT the party machinary meddling. I would genuinely to have the best person/people available to be running the country selected from the representatives which are chosen by the electorate.
Andrew Williams
2009-11-12 15:39:48Dear Mr Campbell,
Thanks for a great blog. You write:
"In other words, a PM communicating his own agenda on his own terms, and dealing with any question any journalist cares to ask ... no thanks."
Following that, what are your thoughts on The Independent's piece last week where they recalled that Peter Hitchens was never chosen by Blair to give a question, even when his was the only hand raised? That's obviously not 'any question any journalisr cares to ask'.
Best wishes,
Andrew
Ryan Martin
2009-11-12 15:34:55Interesting you were off advising the Austrians on comms. I get the feeling they need advice closer to home
Hilary Still
2009-11-12 15:33:07PR? So you believe in public relations but not proportional representation? I agree re PR2 ... how else did the BNP get seats in Europe? How else did Haider get a foothold in Austria? PR bad. First past the post good. And I agree with Ken Clarke hung parliament bad too
Colin Devonport
2009-11-12 15:31:47I do not agree with proportional representation, it creates bias towards weak government and allows fringe and sectarian parties to get a foot hold, where they would never be able to in a first past the post system.
However I do believe that there is an argument for electing a 'leader of the executive' like a Mayor or Presdient without executive powers.
Why without power you may ask, well my point is that any elected leader would be the voice for the Executive, she/he could be from any Party, or no Party at all.
We could benefit from having someone with the gravitas to represent the Country both at home and abroad, without being tied to party lines.
How would a leader be elected? First past the post, with voters having a second third choice in case there was no overall majority. Crutially there would be an escape clause where the Executive could force her/his removal in the event of misdemeanor or failing to meet the demands of the job.
I would set a realistic test in that any candidate would have to have a certain percentage of the electorate to nominate them, and to be successful they would need 60% of the vote.
My idea may sound purile, but sometime simple solutions give the best results.
Malcolm Pearce
2009-11-12 15:30:53I was at a speech you did a few months ago when you pointed out that these days you hardly see the politicians for more than 20 seconds on the news bulletins, because they have to have so much space for the so called experts telling you what they think. I wish you had never told me --- I now shout at the news every night. I so do not care what they think. But I had not really noticed it before
Salmondnet
2009-11-12 15:30:14FPTP satisfies nobody who should be satisfied. Great for the MPs of the party who get elected, usually by no more than 25% of the electorate, and for those swing voters in marginals to whom the winning party must profer bribes, but offering very little to the electorate as a whole, even most of those who vote for the winning party.
The compromises necessary to make PR work are more likely to lead to the greatest satisfaction for the greatest number, even if none of the factions within the political class get all the power they want. The commons tamed the monarch and the Lords more than a century ago. It is now time for the electorate to get their representatives under control. PR is the first step in doing this.
Marjorie Smith
2009-11-12 15:28:47Know what you mean about PR. Especially Single transferable Vote (STV) in regioal constituencies. Will only ensure that administrations only emerge AFTER the votes have been counted and AFTER much wheeling and dealing by politicians in backroom deals.
The Alternative Vote system in single member coonstituencies has some appeal though. Would have stopped the worst excesses of Thatcherism in the 80's and would have still left a labour landslide in 97 and 2001.
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