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FORMER Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell said he thinks Keir Starmer “isn’t boring” at this year’s Journalists' Charity press lunch.
There were fewer laughs than I was expecting, especially given a recent poll suggested it is this exact word people are most likely to describe the Labour leader. Campbell later added that, in an increasingly polarised world: “I want a bit of boring”.
He was sat across from Rory Stewart – a former Tory minister and co-host of their shared (and quite successful) podcast, The Rest Is Politics.
As a duo, they were headlining this charity event in the plush Radisson Blu hotel in Glasgow.
Stewart disagreed on the point that “boring” could be good, adding that Starmer has “decimated the Labour brand”. He then asked the audience to put their hands up if they understand Starmer’s economic policy.
It was an event, understandably, dominated by journalists – none of whom raised their hands. Neither did the Scottish Government press team, nor the corporate sponsors dotted about.
Always doing good! @rorystewartuk & I out raising cash for the Journalists’ Charity. @AnasSarwar looking happy. Sadly @HumzaYousaf stuck in the storm and @Douglas4Moray stuck on a train. Looking forward to presenting an award in memory of legend Jim Rodger pic.twitter.com/VSAiOmBZJR
— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) October 20, 2023
Not even Anas Sarwar, who was sat at the top table two seats over from SNP MP Joanna Cherry, raised his hand. The only party leader in attendance – Humza Yousaf was busy with Storm Babet and Douglas Ross was apparently “stuck in Preston” - he was, to be fair, told not to by Stewart in advance.
In fact, only former Labour Cabinet Minister Douglas Alexander raised his hand. Go figure.
It was an afternoon of raised hands as the podcast co-hosts saw fit to poll a portion of Scotland’s journalists.
The vast majority thought Starmer will win at the next General Election, with a smaller majority saying the same for Sarwar (including Sarwar himself).
A majority also thought former Tory Stewart – who openly stated that Boris Johnson was the worst prime minister ever – will vote LibDem at the next election.
And here we are performing shortly afterwards …. @finlaypiper coming on well. pic.twitter.com/Tck18audQm
— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) October 20, 2023
Campbell also played the bagpipes (above) with Finlay Macdonald from The National Piping Centre. And, the raffle included a hotel stay donated by Trump International in Aberdeen. Quite the lunch.
