Alastair Campbell says he no longer wishes to be a Labour member
Former spin chief was expelled from the party in May
Alastair Campbell has announced that he no longer wishes to be a Labour Party member.
Campbell, the former No 10 director of communications under Tony Blair, warned that Jeremy Corbyn will lose the next election and destroy the party “as a political force capable of winning power”.
After was expelled from Labour for revealing that he voted Liberal Democrat in the European elections, Campbell had planned to challenge the expulsion.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But he has now written to Corbyn informing him: “With some sadness but absolute certainty, I have reached the conclusion that I no longer wish to stay in the party, even if I should be successful in my appeal or legal challenge.”
In his letter, published in the New European, the former spin doctor said the party has a strategy that looks “designed to lose”.
He warned that Corbyn needs to “step up now” to stand any chance of persuading voters to back him and Labour.
Addressing the leader directly, he writes: “The culture you have helped to create has made the party one that I feel no longer truly represents my values, or the hopes I have for Britain.”
He adds: “I fear the country may have already decided that it does not intend to make you prime minister.”
Although Labour has changed its policy to call for a second referendum on any deal and to avoid no deal, some in the party continue to push for an unequivocally pro-remain position.
Campbell argues that the policy shift this does not go far enough. “Without real change, there will be nothing left to fight for, and... your place in history will be as the leader who destroyed Labour as a serious political force capable of winning power," he said.
He concludes the letter by stating: “I hope that one day I will rejoin a party that genuinely appeals to the many not the few, that can win again the kind of majority needed to deliver lasting change, and so improve the life chances of those who will be damaged by Brexit, and left behind by Johnson.”
Corbyn has yet to respond to the letter. However, he said at the weekend he was “raring to go” and ready for a general election.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The hunt for Planet Nine
Under The Radar Researchers seeking the elusive Earth-like planet beyond Neptune are narrowing down their search
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magazine interactive crossword - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Britain's biggest political donors
The Explainer With the 2024 general election set to be the highest-spending contest ever we look at who is giving to which party and why
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What will £28bn green investment U-turn cost Labour?
Today's Big Question Dropping flagship pledge 'will confirm workers' scepticism of the endless promises of jam tomorrow', said union leader
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How many seats do Labour and the Tories need to win?
In depth Changes to constituency boundaries mean Labour needs even bigger swing at next election to form a majority
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published