Do you think that the relationship of agency between populist and politics is changing? The last three Tory governments have managed to get away with outright lying to the public, haven't been held accountable for it. Trump was kicked out. He may come back. So he's gone. Bolsonaro in Brazil. Don't underestimate how much damage he did. Unless we frank, in most electoral systems, a lot of people will vote. People are underestimating their power between the elections to make things happen. And to influence MPs, to influence legislators and so forth.
But What Can I Do?
That’s the title of Alastair Campbell’s latest book, a passionate treatise on how broken politics is and what to do about it. His answer? Teaching the youth to oust the old.
Alastair’s message is simple: Learn how to campaign and don’t stop til you win. The original spin doctor, Alastair has decades of experience campaigning as a strategist for Tony Blair’s New Labour government, and then as a mental health campaigner. He’s a prolific writer, co-host of the UK’s top podcast, The Rest is Politics, and remains one of the UK’s most sought-after strategists.
We discuss what the climate campaign needs. Alastair emphasises the importance of getting both power and people onboard, stressing the importance of a unified and simply message to inspire action. He addresses the levers and systems which need to be utilised in Power and Politics, and details the roadblocks of Populism and Polarisation. Finally, we discuss the reality of politicking vs the urgency of the crisis before I ask:
Will you help?
“If enough people get engaged and enough people get involved, don't underestimate the power and the agency that we all have as individuals and, obviously, working together with other people.”
© Rachel Donald
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