Alastair Campbell Diary Excerpts (Part 2)
Today the rest of country world. I've been lucky enough to have worked with him for the past three years and now he has rewarded my efforts by making me his Spin Doctor Head of Communications and Strategy. Admittedly, back when I first met Tony, I was completely in awe of him. During the course of the past 18 years I have eventually managed to overcome this feeling, but today I feel just like I did back in the Flamingo on that warm summer’s night. Seeing him stand tall and proud as our new PM was simply breathtaking. He looked like a fearless gladiator standing over his defeated enemy. Please forgive me if this entry is becoming slightly incoherent. As I sit here trying my utmost to remain calm and controlled, I feel increasingly hot and parts of my body have become rigid. I will now retire to my bedroom to amend the situation.
Note: I have now returned from a short break and am once again fully focused. Apologies for my brief absence.
“Tony said he loved seeing me in this fluorescent number” claimed
Friday 29th August 2003
I resigned from my position as Head of Communications and Strategy today. Although that decision was not really mine to make. I finally told Tony how I feel about him, but unfortunately the feelings weren’t quite mutual. He aggressively explained that he’s “got a lot on his plate at the moment and doesn’t need anymore headaches from a sexually confused lackey”. I put that comment down to stress and am sure he didn’t mean it. I decided to quit as I want to give Tony all the space he needs and also give him time to take in my revelations.
Although I did not express my feelings verbally, I did so through the medium of poetry. In fear of rejection, I posted Tony the following. I came up with numerous names for the poem, but none of them conveyed the true essence of my message. After hours of ideas and dismissals it finally came to me.
I call the poem ‘Tony’.
Tony
You changed a person,
You changed a party,
You changed a nation.
You took a stale, old product and made it bright, shiny and new.
Thank you from the heart of a nation, your nation.
I love you.
JG