The Rest is the Youth Vote
Alastair Campbell's cynical interest in youth democracy
Of all the things known about Alastair Campbell, perhaps least obvious is his interest in youth democracy.
In fact, if you monitored this - as I have been doing - you notice just how much effort he puts into trying to connect with young people.
For instance, today - after Labour announced its plan to extend the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds, Campbell tweeted “Strongly support all of this”, making clear his authority on the topic because he goes “into schools a lot”:
That’s just the start of Campbell’s youth activism.
In May, for instance, he was at Hay Festival, speaking to “1500 Welsh children debating everything from devolution to banning social media and whether all Welsh children should learn Welsh”:
He particularly likes to plug his book…
… full title: Alastair Campbell Talks Politics: An unmissable, new, illustrated non-fiction book about politics and government for young people, described as “THE empowering intro to politics that EVERY young person needs right now”…
He’s spoiled youngsters with a “Rest is Politics” youth edition…
… as well as taking part in his daughter Grace Campbell’s ghastly podcast:
All of this is about cultivating his brand with youngsters. The types whose parents might be a bit sceptical about Campbell, that they can then tell “he’s not so bad really!”
Campbell is well into “Operation: Cool Dad”. You’re meant to think he’s genuinely interested in youth democracy, and has softened with age.
But “Operation Cool Dad”, though fully activated, is absolute bollocks. Campbell’s main aim is securing the youth vote, so we can go on living under Labour misery for eternity.
Campbell’s cynicism is clear when you look at his involvement with the youth democracy charity “My Life My Say”, which has been pivotal at lobbying for the youth vote:
My Life My Say describes itself as a “youth-led, non-partisan movement on a mission to encourage young people to participate in democracy, and get every single young person voting.”
Despite its claims of being “non-partisan”, it’s funny how it always links back to Labour figures!
Take the fact that the charity was set up by Mete Coban MBE, Sadiq Khan’s protégé and now Deputy Mayor for the Environment, while he was a councillor and Cabinet Member for the Environment at (Labour-run) Hackney Council.
According to Coban, Campbell helped him set up the charity:
Others involved in the “non-partisan” charity include Khan…
Keir Starmer…
Lisa Nandy…
… and Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (who’s blocked me on X):
PLUS, My Life My Say partners with The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change…
Below is Coban with Blair:
Incidentally, today Blair’s institute has been liking the charity’s Instagram posts about 16 and 17-year-olds being given the right to vote.
Returning to Alastair Campbell…
Campbell was there at My Life My Say’s first ever event…
… and can often be found in My Life My Say’s Instagram feed…
… cultivating his “Cool Dad” image.
“No, Mum, he’s actually a really cool guy! Makes me think I’ll vote Labour…”
You can just hear the kiddos falling for it…
To add, the ones Labour most has its eyes on are the most disenfranchised/clueless - because they will vote for Labour by default.
The trick is to nudge them to the ballot box through tactics such as offering them free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream…
Ben & Jerry’s also partners with the charity:
And it’s not the only business very interested in “youth democracy”.
The charity has attracted hundreds of thousands in funding from:
The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust (Quakers);
Paul Hamlyn Foundation; and
National Lottery Community Fund
And received just under $90,000 from the US Embassy in London:
In short, all of this about Labour’s future voters - and stinks!
More:
He is warped beyond belief. So today's 12 year olds will be eligible to vote at the next General Election? Labour Clown World for idiots.