Dominic Cummings and Alastair Campbell: two very different advisers who ‘became the story’

Both came to No 10 with reputations for spin. But it’s unlikely that the Vote Leave architect will enjoy the same longevity as those before him

John Rentoul
Monday 30 September 2019 08:26 BST
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Campbell (left) became inextricably bound to the Blair administration but after 31 October Cummings will cease to be the story
Campbell (left) became inextricably bound to the Blair administration but after 31 October Cummings will cease to be the story

Dominic Cummings is the latest prime ministerial adviser to “become the story”. The last one to become so famous was Alastair Campbell, so it is worth comparing and contrasting.

Campbell was Tony Blair’s spokesperson but tried to retreat from a frontline role of briefing journalists to a backroom one of advising on strategy. Cummings started as a strategy adviser but seems unable to resist talking to journalists.

Campbell suffered from the mystique that surrounded him when New Labour, in opposition, became so popular that it won the biggest election victory since the war. He was assumed to have special powers of “spin”, and to be able to influence the media by bullying and cunning, but the truth was that Blair was an outstanding politician who was in the right place at the right time. Campbell is an exceptional communicator, who had Blair’s absolute confidence. He was forceful and passionate, although I never thought the charge of bullying was justified: journalists tended to give as good as they got.

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