Thoughts on Jamie’s Dream School
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My Latest Book
But What Can I Do?
Why politics has gone so wrong, and how you can help fix it
by
Alastair Campbell
"Your country needs you. Your world needs you. Your time is now."
Our politics is a mess. We have leaders who can't or shouldn't be allowed to lead. We endure governments that lie, and seek to undermine our democratic values. And we are confronted with policies that serve the interests of the privileged few. It's no surprise that so many of us feel frustrated, let down and drawn to ask, 'But what can I do?' That question is the inspiration behind this book. It's a question regularly posed to Alastair Campbell, not least in reaction to The Rest is Politics, the chart-topping podcast he presents with former Tory Cabinet minister Rory Stewart. His answer, typically, is forthright and impassioned. We cannot afford to stand on the sidelines. If we think things need to change, then we need to change them, and that means getting involved. But What Can I Do? provides each of us with the motivation and the tools to make a difference. Opening with an acute analysis of our polarised world and the populists and extremists who have shaped it, it goes on to show how we help transform it. It explains how we can develop our skills of advocacy and persuasion. It draws on Alastair’s long experience, as well as on role models and lessons from history, to offer practical tips on starting and leading a campaign. It offers advice on developing confidence and coping with criticism and setbacks. And it sets out the practical steps by which we can become political players ourselves. Part call to arms, part practical handbook, But What Can I Do? will prove required reading for anyone who wants to help change things for the better.
don’t think this was as related to reality as the kids to cooks enterprise was…
and that is mainly down to the impossibility of getting a bell curve of typical students. – but you faired better than many expected – and its not a job that drew me in any way…three siblings did…. I am the youngest but I look twenty years younger than all of them
To be 100% honest, I though it was a waste of your talent. Getting an entire room full of, essentially, problem kids to listen was never going to be easy or particularly fruitful… It looked like a seriously hard job, but I respect you for doing it.
Keep up the good work on the charities.
hi alastair,
i am listening to your broadcast on lbc as i type, (ive always been a fan of yours)….has jamie oliver any thoughts on becoming a politician do u know? he is a great bloke as well and the causes he has fought for have made him an inspiration to many people….or does he basically stay apolitical in order not to pigeon-hole himself with one political party?
On the contrary: If Al and the other celebs had not participated the audience would have been minimal. Any airing of the “inadequate” results of the education system is valuable. These kids have fallen through every safety net erected, despite the vastly greater resources put into education over the last ten years. The frustration felt by overworked teachers can be felt by us all watching these shows. As Al says, the debate has been broadened as a result. The celebs were on a hiding to nothing and are to be congratulated on their partipation.
making it a reality TV show, meant we had the usual pantomime of performers – so it’s not really reality at all. The kids were performing for the camera, so I could not watch more than 2 eps. I think you and most of the other ‘teachers’ were fantastic – engaging and genuine. People should stick to what they know – Jamie was bloody marvelous on his school dinner programme. I think he should tackle diet & nutrition beyond schools to beat disease and illnesses.
I caught up with it on Youtube and it was very interesting and watchable. I thought you did a great job in demonstrating that the gap between politicians and young students is not as big as it sometimes seems. I mean, these were ‘challenging’ students, and you were really able to connect with them and encourage them. Though, I could envisage quite a few politicians (especially Tory ones) having a hard time connecting with them. It was really watchable because it was clearly a challenge for you, the teachers, as well as the students. I think you all did well – Even David Starkey was connecting with them. Agree with you that it probably won’t have any lasting effect on education, but it’s definitely been a positive program for society in general.
Fair enough, I accept your point, it just felt a bit like watching a bunch of teenagers playing up for a couple of hours. Not my thing.
I would have preferred to see some AC original programming… Hopefully he’ll have more in the pipeline.
I work as a teacher in a socio-economically deprived area and thought the program really highlights the demands of teaching in an inspiring way. I was under the misguided thoughts it was going to be a “look how good we are all at teaching and how teachers need to be” but it was not at all. Unfortunately there are struggles like seen in the program in classes all the time and I think it is extremely important to gain some kind of rapport with your kids rather than the old traditionalist view of I am a teacher you must respect me. Our society has changed and students know that we are accountable, whether this is good or bad is another matter but we have to deal with it. If the kids know that you are really interested in them as individuals it goes some way into engaging them.
I’m a bit torn between thinking the programme has exploited the participants and/or whether it has helped them. Do you think in general it has been positive for them, Alastair?