Dreaming of a power suit...

Hello, I'm Steph, I'm 22 and I'm studying PR and Politics at the University of Westminster.

My ultimate goal is to one day wear a tailored power suit and to be able to answer the phone saying 'talk to me, you've got ten seconds: GO'.

I have a strange love for politics and like talking A LOT so obviously I decided to study PR. What else eh? I've been seduced by the prospects of freebies in fashion and big budgets in consumer, but for some reason I just couldn't stop myself from jumping on the politics wagon. 

I live in East London (dead arty farty) where everyone works in 'media' or 'arts media' or 'fashion PR' or 'music' or 'music PR' - you get the picture. So when I'm stood at a painfully cool Dalston bar, and I get that hipster with a big beard and plethora of illegible tattoos coming over to me with the 'so, basically., right, what I basically do is, I make art sculptures out of empty beer bottles in this totally amazing art space, and I'm like, a completely freelance journalist/PR/media guru BULLSHIT'…. and then the big Q: 'So… what do YOUUUUUU do?' I have this strange sense of superiority. 

'Oh me?', I say. 'Oh I do PR, yah'. The hipster cracks a knowing smile.

'I do politics and PR actually'. The knowing smile disappears.

I want to work for 'the man'… they hate that in Dalston.

The hipster doesn't quite understand. So I elaborate.

I explain that the link to PR and politics is really quite strong, and that most people don't realise this.

Most of the things you read in the paper, that the MPs talk about in the commons, the campaigns that get the limelight in the media, that's all down to PR. Most MP's have a 'communications', (as they much prefer to be called) team around them, advising them on how to best communicate to the public, how to sound 'down with the kids', and how to use their image to their advantage.

Even social media is on the political radar, with Twitter and Blogging being a driver in the political world.

Social media - at least the hipster understands that part #nofilter #selfie.

So this is where I am wanting to wedge myself in.

I spent my summer at the Houses of Parliament doing an internship with the Chester MP, which was pretty amazing. Plus the food is flipping delicious. £4 for sea bass and honey roast potatoes with a white wine and butter sauce - *a ha, I think* - that must be where all that tax goes

I have also been getting involved in loads of canvassing at the CCHQ, and also campaigning for different London MPs.

… and thats another thing to think about, besides the dopey hipster by the bar, living in London is quite special. It's an amazing city that offers such opportunity. You can get involved in so much more, and really enrich your uni experience, it looks great on your CV.  I'm from Hope in NW, teeny tiny village, so the prospect was pretty scary, but its easy to settle, you have to just grab it with both hands. The galleries, the landmarks, the transport, THE BARS/NIGHTLIFE. Buses ACTUALLY run on a Sunday, can you believe?

It's a really exciting time to think about politics as a career, with the general election coming up, there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved and build a really solid roster of experience and contacts.

And as for the PR world, its such an interesting industry to be a part of, as it binds together loads of great aspects, you've got to be creative (hipster understands this) organised, passionate and driven.

(also political PR is one of the better paid sectors, but shhh thats not really why I chose to focus on it… not one bit…no…)

So there you go, a brief history of moi, my hopes, my dreams, my passions - siiiiigghhhhhhhhh (vomit).

STEPH x

Tom's piece on the Coalition from Summer 2012, has anything changed?

NB. This piece was originally written in April 2012, I am just sharing this for your benefit, and to reflect on how far we, as a country, has come.

If the coalition were a marriage (which it probably is), it would be signing them divorce papers rather soon. Having been together for only two years, the cracks in the relationship today are more visible than ever. Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg appear to have hit a brick wall in their progress to save Britain and with us unruly peasants getting poorer by the day, the government is on the brink – a ticking time bomb within the walls of the commons for the once “united” coalition. We all know the Tory-dems have failed badly and we all know the end is on the horizon.

As we watch the right honourable gentlemen in Cameron and Clegg broaden the gap between the rich and ourselves, we can’t help but feel an overwhelming disengagement from politics today. I’m sure I speak for the masses, when I say I’d rather pay the pasty tax than dine with the PM himself (it would be a hell of lot cheaper). The power hungry toffs in government have yet again failed to deliver the goods we rightly ordered and with the budget giving the rich a break, we as the poorer members of society are left feeling unconvinced and unhappy.

Therefore, it is correct to say that David Cameron and Nick Clegg are seen to be out of touch with Britain today – both its culture and its people. They begin by crushing our National Health System, taxing our Grandparents and now making us pay more when we have less. We see our voices dismissed and not heard. Our democratic state is failing, the electorates are unrepresented and this current government is wearing blinkers and we need to do something about it. We are victims in our own homes as a double dip recession appears to be all but certain. Our alienated population stands alone without support and assistance from the Government, it is as if the Coalition has opted for the lift and we are left helplessly alone with the stairs to climb. We merely possess little in what the PM looks for, in terms of wealth and in terms of political know how; Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg seek one thing and one thing only – to keep their pals at home rich. David himself, attempted to seek brownie points when he claimed he last had a pasty in Leeds’ Train Station. The attempt failed miserably, you’re not one of us David, see you’re the “super-race”, and we’re merely the “human race”. I can’t help but think that anything DC does will end up making the public feel more disengaged from him and his Tory-Dems.

As we see more absurd proposals put in place, the UK coalition government lacks our trust (something they need for the next general election). A renewed anger comes from us in that the Tory-Dems plan to snoop on our “private” emails.  The government are to gain powers in Her Majesty’s speech to check all calls, emails, texts, Skype and website visits we make – Big Brother is watching us (and listening to and monitoring). Don’t get us wrong, we are all up for national security and all that jazz, but really? This we see is to be Mr Cameron’s dictatorship in the making, therefore pushing aside Mr Clegg and his equality and human rights campaigns; we are left puzzled to how this coalition is still afloat. Soon we will be adopting both China’s and Iran’s principles, soon we won’t be allowed to use the internet and soon we will be constantly tagged. It wasn’t too long ago since the Tories, wanted to scrap our Human Rights Act in which Mr Clegg wasn’t best pleased. Theresa May claimed it was ‘causing too many problems’, this alone indicates that the Tories seek both order and authority through whatever seems possible. The welfare of the population may suffer yet the power hungry members of parliament seek nothing more than that. If the Conservative backbenchers persist in wanting to tear up the European Convention on Human Rights, then we can foresee a time when the Lib Dems would be extremely uncomfortable in government – a threat to the coalition splashed on the front pages. Not so good Mr Cameron.

As the squeeze gets tighter on the coalition, it also has an even tighter hold of our pockets. The government simply do little to help us live but seek security in the ‘green environment’.  Government plans for greener homes have failed, falling short of proposed household savings. The Coalition are oblivious to what is going on around them, world stock markets down day after day and our Prime Minister suggests the solar panel will save us. The wrong thing to do at the wrong time David, as the most responsible man in British politics we cannot even look to our Prime Minister in such difficult circumstances. The Tories along with the Lib Democrats have forgotten about the British people, what we want and what we deserve.

Under such a climate, the UK coalition cannot last any longer; it is well past its best before date. The British public did not ask nor want such a ponsy, toff-filled, stuck up government. They are destroying what we once had, the NHS, the economy and most of all Britshness. The longer the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are in power, the worse it will get. As British citizens, we ask for help, assistance and advice in such hard economic times. We are left unemployed, penniless and down beat. We’ve have had enough, enough of the Toffs and enough of the Coalition. It’s not working and frankly never will. We seek security and representation and in these current times of despair and anxiety, we simply acknowledge neither.

A Political Communications God!

There are many faces of political communications, the likes of Andy Coulson (should we mention he's on trial for phone hacking...), Damian McBride, Bernard Ingham, Peter Mandelson and so on. But there is one man that puts the word 'spin' into 'spin' and that's Tony Blair's spokesman and former "Director of Communications", Alastair Campbell.

Alastair Campbell was at the forefront of the re-branding of Labour to New Labour, and this controversial character has arguably given way to such a connotation of  "spin doctors". So here's a quick overviewing profile of the man who orchestrated the Blair landslide victory in 1997.

Born: 25th May 1957 (age 56), in Keighley, Yorkshire

Education: Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge University

Occupation: Author, journalists, broadcaster

In office: Downing St. Press Secretary (May 97 - July 2000)
              Director of Communications and Strategy (July 2000 - August 2003)


Campbell first wrote journalistically for what was evidently a porn magazine, and that's just the start. After several unpleasing years at Cambridge University, Campbell was in and out of jobs until he finally applied for a journalistic work scheme with the Daily Mirror. With years under his belt at the Mirror, he worked through the 80s in London on Fleet Street, writing in support for the political party he was soon to be a part of, Labour. 

Though the life of Alastair Campbell was to change forever in 1986 where he fell into great depression and alcoholism while covering Neil Kinnock (Lab leader of the time) and his visit to Glasgow. Campbell was detained by police in the interest of his own personal safety as many had seen him acting out of character and odd. 

Following his recovery a year later and the birth of his first son, Campbell returned to night shifts at the Mirror until he climbed the ladder to Political Editor. At this time he was becoming increasingly close to Kinnock and his family, and his passion for left-wing politics was evolving. 

After leaving the Mirror in 93', Campbell moved over to Today, the radio 4 programme which you all MUST listen to. He then helped in appointing the next Labour leader in Blair. 

With Blair winning the leadership in 1994, Campbell began working with the party immediately. His alcoholism and depression did not worry Blair. Campbell played a vital role in the landslide victory for New Labour in the 1997 general election. He was Blair's Press Secretary for three years until 2000, where he became the infamous "Director of Communications and Strategy". The position meant Campbell had the opportunity to work on strategy and the role of Govt. comms. and itt was this time in Alastair's career which proved to be the most controversial. 

The mannerisms of Campbell were passionate, somewhat aggressive and fiery. Many deceptions of the Alastair Campbell brand have been played through TV dramas in Malcolm Tucker from the Thick of It (MUST WATCH) and the comedy programme Bremner, Bird and Fortune. 

The controversy of Campbell's career in Westminster and the Labour Party peaked during the Iraq war over allegations that Iraq possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction. Many a critic believe Campbell "sexed" up what was known as the September Dossier to engage in the prospect of war in the Middle East. In the Loop, is a comical film created by those behind The Thick of It playing out the possibility of going to war in the Middle East due to a dodgy dossier (it's so funny, worth a watch).

Campbell resigned from his position in 2003, following the death of Dr. Kelly which again surrounded Alastair Campbell in very dodgy circumstances.

Now Campbell, continues to write as an author publishing books such as In the Mind (v.good). Campbell spends most of his time supporting and raising awareness to a number of charities who support alcoholism especially. You will see him pop up on TV now and then to rant at the current coalition government, but a part from selective interviews and appearances Campbell is seen mainly to be involved in his charity work and Burnley Football Club. However, if I am not wrong I still believe he is involved within Labour and is often heard to be advising leader Ed Miliband.

So there you have it, a rather quick and brief overview of the career of arguably the most controversial individual to ever be involved in Political Comms. Campbell is such an interesting character, who personally fascinates me. 

If you wish to know any more about Campbell and his time in Govt. there is literally hundreds of books observing his time with Labour and Tony Blair. I will personally recommended a biography on him by Peter Oborne, and Simon Walters. I had to do a book review last year in Uni, and this book gave me a hell of a lot to talk about. I'll link some other material below which you can read on Campbell's career, all v.interesting!

If you want to pursue a career in Political Communications, then this man is a legend... so take note. 

TM

AC books:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Depressive-Personal-Political-Happiness/dp/0099579820/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388921297&sr=1-4&keywords=alastair+campbell

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blair-Years-Extracts-Alastair-Campbell/dp/0099514753/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388921339&sr=1-7&keywords=alastair+campbell

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Irish-Diaries-1994-2003-Alastair-Campbell/dp/1843514001/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388921359&sr=1-3&keywords=alastair+campbell

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alastair-Campbell-Peter-Oborne/dp/1845130014/ref=sr_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388921377&sr=1-15&keywords=alastair+campbell

Ey'up

Hey I’m Tom; I had my 20th birthday in Sept. meaning I am therefore of proper student age, and not like Steph who is 22 and practically an O.A.P. The funny thing is she actually has like a “Granny” bike with a basket on the front and everything. Each to their own, I guess.

Back into the 21st century and I’m currently in my second year of studying both Public Relations & Politics at Uni. of Westminster.

Politics is everything: how much you pay for a pint (notably the most important), what clothes you wear, what you can say and what you can’t say…it’s everything.  "The personal is political” sums it up quite nicely, in that we are all politically active in the sense of who we are and what we are.

For me it is the power of politics which is utterly mesmerising. The idea that you could change someone’s life for the better is fascinating. The thing about Politics is that it all comes down to communication and how things are done and how things are said. People put their trust in you to represent them, to present their ideas, their concerns and their worries.
BUT, one problem still remains…people’s perception of Politics are bad. The electoral turn-out is low, and it is clear the Youth don’t bother voting.

People feel disengaged with Politics, and that is what is so interesting.
How do we get these people on side? How do we get them interested? How do we get them to finally vote? And the only solution is Communication.

Communication is the one key aspect of politics that can never be lost. It is how MPs communicate with their constituents which determine whether they will have a job come the next general election in May 2015. It is such an exciting time to be coming into politics, and communications.  General election in two years’ time, scandal after scandal – that’s one thing I guarantee – it will never ever be boring.

Every single piece of political work has been slowly crafted by a communications person. Slowly but surely, ironing out the creases to produce a document fit for a politician.
I’m surely on the political bandwagon now, and have no intention of getting off any time soon.

The idea of studying politics came in Sixth Form, when I took Government and Politics at A-level. That was all theoretical and full of 45 markers, but the practical world of politics is one of excitement, nail biting decisions and power.

I want to be Malcolm Tucker from the Thick of It, and if you haven’t watched it have a long hard look at yourself and go Google it.

I’ve done quite a lot of political work, and frankly I've loved it. In the summer, I spent my time in-between UNISON, the trade union and the office of the Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls MP.  I got doing a range of politician comms stuff ranging from press releases to holding meetings, and filing top-secret reports in which I can’t tell you about probably because they are top secret.

I’ve got more work planned after Xmas in Portcullis House, a massive building where policemen patrol with their rather large guns to protect the Members of Parliament inside. There are also olive trees in there which cost £70,000 each, Steph told me that - weird. So yeah, there I’m going to be undertaking more work for Ed Balls which should be great.

London is a great place to study, and I’m not just saying that. If I wasn’t studying at Westminster, I wouldn’t of had the chance to visit the House of Parliament twice, meet Nick Clegg’s spokesman, meet the pressure group UK Uncut, meet Ray Snoddy former BBC presenter, meet Joy Johnson former Labour comms specialist AND see big Dave Cameron and Ed Miliband in the flesh.
If you want politics, then Westminster is your new home. Why go anywhere else?!

I hope you enjoyed reading a bit about me, politics and PR and if you want to know any more, or need help or advice do not hesitate to email me whatever.

Thanks TM (tomalexmcmahon@live.co.uk)

Does This Look Appealing?

Hello, and welcome to our blog - linking PR to politics.

This will be the home of the (terribly interesting) ramblings of two PR students - vlogs from industry professionals, pictures from our extremely exciting lives as Westminster students, reports from guest speakers and other loosely relevant and tediously linked stuff to show you how bloody fun political PR can be.

If that doesn't sound too convincing (how I don't know), here's a few words from Malcolm Tucker, fictional PR guru and spin doctor extraudinaire, to get you more excited...

Does this look appealing? Then Political PR is for YOU!

Tom & Steph