Alastair Campbell delivers poignant homage to late MP
Known to many as the original ‘spin doctor’ and famed for his role as Tony Blair’s right-hand man at Downing Street, Alastair Campbell showed his lighter side in front of almost 300 people at Lochaber High School last week as he delivered a refreshingly frank and honest speech about mental health and addiction for this year’s Charles Kennedy Memorial Lecture.
A close friend of the late Charles Kennedy during their time in front line UK politics, Alastair has been living a slightly quieter life since escaping the media limelight and now spends most of his time writing books, starring in documentaries and making an occasional appearance on political panel shows.
Yorkshire-born with Scottish parents, the former political aide, whose own problems with alcohol have been well documented, had a uniquely tight bond with Charles Kennedy, who he said was his ‘closest non-Labour friend in politics’.
By Alastair’s own admittance, the strength of his and Kennedy’s relationship rested on a shared experience of addiction and the pair, more used to sparring on the ruthless Westminster battleground, would support each other through their struggles with mental health and depression. Describing him as ‘clever, funny, giving, flawed’, Alastair’s affection for Charles Kennedy was evident.
‘People used to the shouting and bawling in the Commons and the aggression across the media are sometimes surprised that friendships develop across political boundaries. But they do.’
He continued: ‘Those whose lives have been taken over or blighted by alcohol tend to develop deeper relationships with each other. That was certainly the case with us.’
Alastair Campbell, who was one of the first people to be told of Charles’ death, admitted he was lucky enough to beat his addiction, however, it was something his friend ‘never really cracked’.
Mr Campbell said: ‘Charles was respected because of the qualities that saw him rise so young and so far, but loved because people sensed his vulnerability and, through it, his humanity. Drink, and the things going on inside him that led him down that path, was part of who Charles was and part of that humanity, his ability to connect with people in a way most politicians couldn’t, his ability to converse with anyone from Queen to cleaning lady, in the same charming, seemingly effortless way.
‘People talk a lot about legacy for politicians. This event, the fact we will reflect on him for a long time to come, is part of Charles’ legacy. But a bigger and greater legacy would come from a new approach by politicians to alcohol so we learn to understand and accept that alcoholism is a disease not a lifestyle choice.’ Campbell never strayed far from the topic of Brexit and could not help but speculate on how Charles Kennedy, a staunch advocate of the European Union, would feel about the current constitutional uncertainty that faces the UK. I think we can safely say he would have had a lot to say for himself, and I for one, as a campaigner for a People’s Vote, would have welcomed the weight he would have added to that cause.’
Speaking to the Lochaber Times about how he felt delivering the Charles Kennedy Memorial Lecture to Lochaber constituents, he said: ‘It’s great. I love it up here and although this is a flying visit, I come up here quite a lot.’
When asked about his views on the impact of Brexit on Lochaber’s economy, he said ‘no economy in the country is going to be stronger’ as a result of the process.
‘Those places that have fragile economies are less likely to withstand the kind of shock that will come from Brexit so we shouldn’t just accept that it has to happen.’
Bruno Berardelli, president of Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, opened the evening saying: ‘It is fitting that it should take place in Lochaber High School in the very same fine institution that Charles honed his skills as a champion debater.
‘This is also the same room in which he took part in what was one of his last debates at the Chamber’s election hustings. At many times during that debate, Charles again showed he was Lochaber to the bones. He was a terrific communicator and a fine orator that spoke ‘fluent human’.’