Alastair Campbell has revealed that after being a “full-on” No campaigner ahead of the Scottish independence referendum in 2014, he is now “less certain”.
The revelation comes in with the publication of extracts from his diaries from 2010 to 2015, which exposes the turmoil behind the scenes of the campaign to keep Scotland in the union.
Tony Blair’s former spin chief also reveals that Alex Salmond offered him a place on his “negotiating team” in the event of Scotland becoming independent.
He said that came at a hotel in Aberdeen, where he was interviewing Salmond for GQ magazine.
Campbell said he was more impressed with the then SNP leader than he wanted to be.
“He was very friendly and warm and also less sneery and narky than usual,” he said.
“He was interesting for the book as well on winning and how he had changed his mind-set from one of opposition to one of government.
“He had read my blogs, knew about my family, talked up my being Scottish, asked me to stay for a long lunch and then most surprisingly of all asked me to be part of the negotiating team with the rest of the UK, Europe etc if he won.
“He seemed quite serious too. He said if they got independence he would want to reach out to people like me, and use the skills I had in government, and also nation branding.”
A book on the diaries is due to be published this month, but the extracts have been obtained by DCT Media, and published in the Dundee Courier and Aberdeen Press & Journal.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon hits out after leak of Alex Salmond inquiry report
“I suspect I am not alone in feeling that English nationalism and global populism are a big part of what fuelled both Brexit and Johnson, which in turn has helped the SNP’s cause too,” Campbell wrote.
“It is not at all fanciful to imagine that in ‘taking back control’ through Brexit, Johnson will break the union in at least two parts, Scotland and Northern Ireland.”
In an introduction to the diaries, he added: “From being a full-on ‘No’ campaigner in 2014, it’s fair to say I am now less certain.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel