FORMER Downing Street press chief Alastair Campbell has been telling students in London’s East End all about Government spin’. Labour’s ex-spin doctor’ turned up at the University of London’s Queen Mary College at Mile End yesterday to give a lecture to 20 history students—all about the Blair government, part of a new undergraduate course on Tony Blair’s 10 years in office

Mike Brooke

FORMER Downing Street press chief Alastair Campbell has been telling students in London’s East End all about Government spin’.

Labour’s ex-spin doctor’ turned up at the University of London’s Queen Mary College at Mile End yesterday to give a lecture to 20 history students—all about the Blair government.

It was part of a new undergraduate course on the recent history of Tony Blair’s 10 years in office which was started at the campus in September.

The former director of communications and strategy at the heart of the Blair government

discussed New Labour’s notion of spin’ and his working relationship with the-then prime minister.

Then he answered students’ questions and was asked why he decided to work for New Labour.

“I knew it would be life-changing, all-consuming,” he told them. “But there are some challenges you just can’t say no to.”

KEY ROLE

The former political reporter became Blair’s chief press secretary and official spokesman in 1994 who is often described as one of the most influential political communicators of modern times.

Campbell played a key role helping create the New Labour’ image and returning the party to power at Westminster in 1997, after 18 years in Opposition.

The Blair Government’ course is attracting a string of other big name lecturers including former Downing Street Chief of Staff Jonathan Powell, former Ministry of Defence Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Kevin Tebbit and ex-GCHQ director and Home Office Permanent Secretary Sir David Omand.

It is led by John Rentoul, Blair’s biographer and Independent on Sunday journalist, and Dr Jon Davis (pictured with Campbell), executive director of the Mile End research group of postgraduate history students at the college.