Alastair Campbell, the former communications chief for Tony Blair, has launched a scathing critique of the UK government's handling of relations with Russia, claiming Vladimir Putin has "run rings around" British policymakers.
In a blistering assessment, Campbell argued that successive Conservative administrations have failed to develop a coherent strategy to counter Russian aggression, leaving the UK vulnerable on the international stage.
Diplomatic Failures Laid Bare
The political strategist pointed to what he described as "serial misjudgments" in British foreign policy, particularly regarding the Salisbury poisonings and ongoing tensions in Ukraine. "We've been outplayed at every turn," Campbell stated.
Call for Strategic Overhaul
Campbell's comments come amid growing concerns about:
- The UK's diminishing influence in global affairs
- Inadequate responses to Russian disinformation campaigns
- Failure to anticipate Putin's geopolitical moves
He urged an immediate review of Britain's diplomatic and defence capabilities, warning that current approaches are "dangerously outdated".
Political Reactions
While some backbench MPs have echoed Campbell's concerns, government ministers have defended their record, pointing to sanctions against Russian oligarchs and military support for Ukraine.
Political analysts suggest Campbell's intervention reflects wider unease about Britain's post-Brexit international standing, with some describing it as "the most significant critique of UK foreign policy since the Iraq war".
