Alastair Campbell: how Starmer should defend the BBC

The New World was among the 2,500 people at the Hammersmith Apollo last night for the latest leg of the Rest is Politics tour.

The audience was polled at half time on whether Alastair Campbell of this parish or podcast partner Rory Stewart would make a better director general of the BBC following Tim Davie’s exit. Campbell won by 53-47.

Campbell said his slogan would be “British values, global reach,” which beat by some margin Stewart’s “facts, not factions”.

But Campbell decided to speak not as director general but as prime minister, standing to deliver a short speech that brought one of the biggest ovations of the night.

“The BBC made a mistake,” began Starmer-Campbell. “Many media organisations do. What the others, the Mails and the Telegraphs and the Murdochs rarely do, is apologise or take responsibility. The BBC has done both. The director general has gone. That should be the end of the matter.

“The attacks upon the BBC by the Conservatives and Reform are contemptible given the important role the BBC plays in our national life and our global reputation.

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“I have spoken to president Trump and made clear in the strongest terms that the attacks upon the BBC from his office and his supporters are unacceptable. We do not want an American style media landscape in this country.

“I will protect and strengthen the BBC and to that end can announce we will be reversing the cuts to the World Service and investing more in the regions.

“Finally I have a message for the BBC leadership. First, clear out the political partisans at the top or I will do it for you. Second, start platforming the Lib Dems, the Greens and the nationalists as often as you platform the ragbag of MPs in Reform. And finally, stop pandering to a right wing that is determined to destroy you. Thank you for your attention to this matter.” Cue wild cheering and stamping of feet.

On the political scene more generally, while admitting they had made mistakes, Campbell did his best to put a positive case for what the government was trying to do, but the audience of broadly progressive people was far from impressed.

Polled on the question: “Regardless of your own views, if the choice of prime minister at the election is Starmer v Farage, who will win?” The result – 55-45 for Starmer – provoked a simple, shocked “wow” from Campbell, while Stewart suggested both Starmer and Rachel Reeves were beyond repair in the eyes of the public.

On Trump meanwhile, the audience agreed with the proposition that he was turning the US into a fascist country by 85-15.