One of the biggest names in modern day politics and one of the most influential characters in Tony Blair’s Labour government wasn’t even a politician, but as Blair’s Director of Communications and Strategy for six years, Alastair Campbell, was at the forefront of many of the decisions that shaped both domestic and foreign policy…

Arguably the most eminent and powerful spin doctor in the history of British politics, the 54-year-old has already led a full and varied life and enjoyed a successful yet often controversial career. As a writer, journalist and media strategist, Campbell has left an indelible mark on the landscape of UK politics.

Some of Alastair’s formative years were spent in Leicester after moving from Yorkshire as a youngster. In an exclusive interview with Soar Magazine, Campbell recounted his time in the city, as well as giving an insight into the highs and lows of both his career and his private life.

Jon Reeves: Firstly Alastair, what are your memories of living in Leicester?
Alastair Campbell: My first memories were not great. I grew up in Yorkshire but we had to move when my Dad, who was a vet, had a bad accident. He had to leave private practice and joined the Ministry of Agriculture and got posted to Leicester. We moved in December so I remember it being cold and having to start school at City of Leicester Boys Grammar, mid-term, which is never easy. I got into it after a while but, I must be honest, I always preferred the north.

JR: You’re a big football fan and supporter of Burnley, did you ever watch Leicester City?
AC: I did go to see Leicester a few times, usually when Burnley were there. I went to loads of Burnley games and at school I refused to take my Burnley scarf off in lessons. One of my German teachers also supported Burnley – Mr Mason. I remember going to see City v Arsenal and I saw my first skinhead. Lenny Glover lived near us in Evington and he used to walk his red setter by our house every day, so I always took an interest in his marks out of ten in the papers.

JR: Who was your biggest influence growing up, both personally and professionally?
AC: Personally it was probably my parents and other relatives. Professionally I can point to a lot of journalists, mainly on the Mirror, including my editor Richard Stott who also edited my diaries. Sadly he died a few years ago.

JR: Did you always want to be involved in media and have you ever had any desire to become a politician?
AC: I have next to no journalism in my background but I always loved words and loved writing. My first ever media interview was with Radio Leicester when I was a student but they felt I needed formal training. I did that with the Mirror Group which then owned local papers in the West Country. I got into political journalism in the 80s and was very friendly with Tony Blair from when he became an MP. I have often thought about standing for Parliament myself but in the last four elections, there have always been other pressures – Tony, Gordon Brown, my family – preventing me at that particular time.

JR: You’ve been a writer, a journalist and worked in politics, but which roles have given you most satisfaction?
AC: Hard to say. I look back on what I did with Tony Blair and I am happy I did it but if you read my diaries it is clear I wasn’t happy a lot of the time. I got a big buzz out of what we did in Northern Ireland and Kosovo. I never enjoyed the election campaigns but I know I made a difference. I got a big kick out of writing my first novel, All in the Mind, which opened up a whole new area of activity for me, campaigning in the field of mental illness.

JR: Has talking and writing openly about your battles with mental illness and addiction helped you deal with those issues?
AC: Definitely. I have never regretted being open. I think as a society we need to get to a position where we can be as open about mental health as physical health. Only then can we end the taboo, the stigma and the discrimination.

JR: You’ve worked with some big characters over the years. Which have been the most formidable and most impressive in action?
AC: Tony is the most impressive UK politician I met, Clinton probably the foreign politician I liked best. In sport it would be Lance Armstrong and Sir Alex Ferguson. Alex is a close friend and a great guy.

JR: Which professional achievements have given you the most pride over the years and what are your biggest regrets?
AC: Probably helping Labour win three elections, helping Tony Blair regarding Kosovo and Ireland and also the team I built. I regret that my own relations with the media became so bad, culminating in the row with the BBC during which David Kelly took his life, and also that my partner and kids paid a price for my obsession with doing the job in the way I did.

JR: Is it frustrating that Tony Blair’s reign seems to be inextricably linked to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and do you think that will always be the case, or will history go on to remember him for his political achievements?
AC: History is not the same thing as passing and current media moods. History will look at Ireland, Bank of England independence, minimum wage, Sure Start, the biggest school and hospital building programme, devolution, and civil partnerships. I could go on and on. I also believe Tony’s foreign policy will be judged more kindly in the future.

JR: What do you make of the phone-hacking revelations and News International’s reaction?
AC: The revelations are bad for them and for the press as a whole. Their handling of it has been woeful. I hope that what emerges from all this is a new settlement that sees politicians and journalists doing their jobs without fear or favour. The beneficiaries of that will be the public.

JR: You do a lot of charity work. Being able to have that kind of involvement with organisations like Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research must be one of the better by-products of celebrity? That and getting to play football alongside Diego Maradona…
AC: Playing with Maradona at Soccer Aid was unbelievable. I did a speech on happiness at Birmingham University recently and said the week of that event was one of the happiest of my life. I loved every minute of it. I work mainly for two charities – LLR because my best friend and his daughter both died of leukaemia and mental health campaigns like Time to Change.

JR: How do you relax away from work? Is sport is a big part of your leisure time?
AC: I am writing this on an exercise bike! I cycle most days, run fairly regularly and play in charity football matches.

JR: Finally, Alastair, what are your remaining ambitions?
AC: I would like one of my novels to be made into a film. I would like to think I have one more big job in me but I am not in a hurry. Oh, and I would like to be manager of Burnley FC. I have finally given up on the idea I might play for them. Management, though – yes I could do that. Perhaps Sven could put in a word!