Alastair Campbell: Live webchat Monday 14 October, 1.45 - 2.45pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Alastair Campbell will be joining us at MNTowers on MONDAY 14th OCTOBER between 1.45 and 2.45pm, where he'll be answering questions and telling us about his latest novel My Name Is...

Alastair is a writer, communicator and strategist best known for his role as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman, press secretary and director of communications and strategy. Still active in Labour politics, he now splits his time between writing, speaking, charitable fundraising, politics and campaigns.

My Name Is..., tells the story of a young girl's descent into alcoholism and the impact it has on those around her. The voices of Hannah's family, friends and professionals shed a sometimes shocking, sometimes tender light on a life veering terrifyingly off course.

Come and chat to Alastair TODAY at 1.45pm or post a question in advance on this thread.

[AlastairCampbell]

@icebees

If Scotland votes 'yes' in 2014, does the balance of power in England stay forever with the Tories?

If Scotland votes yes, all sorts of things will change. The political balance in England would certainly tilt short term. It is also worth reflecting on the possibility that there would be moves at the UN to strip us of our membership of the Permanent Five on the Security Council. One of many reasons I hope people vote No

[AlastairCampbell]

@BoffinMum

What do you think of the German political system? Have we anything to learn from them?

We can certainly learn a lot from the Germans - they have a better media, a more mature politics in many ways, and a better educated general public. But just as their political system emerged from their history, so ours has emerged from our history. even a leader as successful as Merkel is expected to govern in coalition, which suits them, but might not suit us so well

[BoffinMum]

Thanks for answering my question. I have another one MNetters might want to know. Do you watch Borgen, and if so, how realistic a depiction of political life do you think it is?

[AlastairCampbell]

@mehereandnow

Gasp! This is Mumsnet. You can't diss Strictly! What happened to the woman's perspective in you, Alistair?

the woman's perspective is in my novel, My Name Is - 'stunning' (THe Times) 'gripping' (Telegraph) -- about an issue that matters, namely women's drinking! I was asked to go on Strictly, and took fully half a second to say no!

[makemineatripple]

Hi Alistair

Who would you most like and least like, to be stuck in a lift with?.....

[icebees]

Thanks for replying. Women voters appear to still be the most undecided group up here and I think a lot are wresting with the self determination and the hope of a fairer society vs abandoning our many allies south if the border who wish for change too. I just wish the No campaign would engage better. At the moment the Yes campaign seems to consistently have the upper hand.

[BoffinMum]

at the thought of Alistair in Strictly.

[AlastairCampbell]

@SauceForTheGander

Though I can't stand the Mail - I was sort of disappointed that it caused such a furore recently re. Ed Miliband's dad. It was disgusting obviously- but The Sun has had an almost naked woman posing submissively for 40 years and there's been precious little said by politicians about it and personally I think The Sun is just as bad as The Mail. I think The Sun's idea that page 3 is a bit of harmless fun is one of the biggest cons out there.

I've seen you in your NMP3 t shirt

Will The Sun give up Page 3? Can you ask Tony to have a word with Rupert about it?

Yes, I support the campaign. I must confess when I was on the Mirror in the 80s I couldn't really see the problem, but my daughter has changed my mind. I think there is a really interesting new wave of feminism that her generation is driving, and I support it. The basic view is that women of my generation fought for and won new laws, but that the basic culture remains one of inequality

[pickofthepops]

Seriously I have no idea who to vote for. I'm cursed whichever lifestyle decisions I take I'm scuppered by the government of the time.

[pollycazalet]

Which Tory mps do you admire?

[BoffinMum]

I am going to be cheeky and ask a final one. Sorry MNHQ. Alistair, do you ever think something like the PiratenPartei would take off in the UK? (Admittedly we will ignore its recent performance in the German elections).

[AlastairCampbell]

@sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea

For whoever asked about The Slithy Gove here I was asked about Alastair, but couldn't find a funny enough picture of him so he didn't feature (bet he's gutted about that).

My question is how hard was it for you to write 'My Name Is...' as a recovering alcoholic yourself, especially if you spoke to family and friends about your/their experience?

And although I don't always agree with, or always like you very much (sorry!), your description of your breakdown as 'a pane of glass, shattering in every direction' has stayed with me, especially in light of my own experiences of depression and attempted suicide. So for that (and for the fab Newsnight interview), I do want to say a heartfelt thank you.

It was hard to write it at times, but also very cathartic. I was in tears at various points. For some of the key scenes, I went out to the place where it was set - Hannah's flat in Islington for example - and sat outside in the cold and the dark plonking away on a blackberry or ipad. There is no doubt a lot of my own descent into problem drinking in there and it fits one of my golden rules in life, which is always try to get good out of bad.

[AlastairCampbell]

@pollycazalet

Which Tory mps do you admire?

I quite admire the way William Hague has reinvented himself as Foreign Secretary, having been one of several leaders seen off by TB. I like Charles Walker and Sarah Wollaston, who both spoke of their own mental health issues in a Parliamentary debate last year. Sarah has also spoken out in favour of the campaign I took to the Tory and Labour conferences to bring in minimum unit pricing on alcohol and improve treatment rates for alcoholics

[BoffinMum]

Got to go to a meeting now, but thank you Alistair for coming on, I have really enjoyed your webchat.

[AlastairCampbell]

@MrJudgeyPants

With ever more politicians following the private school, Oxbridge PPE, career politician route, is politics in danger of losing relevance with the electorate?

yes. And as someone who is ex Oxbridge, may I say I am not convinced it is all it is cracked up to be

[mehereandnow]

Did he leave early??

[AlastairCampbell]

@BoffinMum

Thanks for answering my question. I have another one MNetters might want to know. Do you watch Borgen, and if so, how realistic a depiction of political life do you think it is?

Yes I do, and I think it is realistic in the portrayal of family and political pressures combining

[mehereandnow]

Caught up now.... not casting nasturtiums.

[GrippingArms]

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed this one for an entirely different reason to one last week.

Thanks very much, Alastair.

[Rowlers]

Thank you Alastair for coming on and answering our questions. Good luck with the book.

[pollycazalet]

Thanks for answering my question. I'll be cheeky and ask another. Do you think the current government has a point with its view of civil servants? Or not?

[pickofthepops]

Yes thanks Alastair. I'm going to buy your book instead of the new bridget jones .do you like Noel though?

[AlastairCampbell]

@makemineatripple

Hi Alistair

Who would you most like and least like, to be stuck in a lift with?.....

Most - Isabelle Huppert (if Paul Dacre is not available). Least - Alex Salmond

[AlastairCampbell]

@mignonette

Hi Alistair

Am sure I have some heavyweight Political questions somewhere in my brain and as a RMN I also appreciate any person in the public eye who speaks of their own MH issues and I could (and should) ask you something to do with that.

However I will go for the low and ask you if you wear a Kilt, what do you wear under it?

yes I do. For me to know and you to find out!

[mignonette]

Thank you Alistair. Thought you'd be more savvy than Nick Clegg in choosing not to answer questions like my kilt one and I was right .