Alastair Campbell press secretary. Having recovered and become teetotal, he told Blair about his alcoholism, which Blair did not see as a problem. In his autobiography, Tony Blair would later reveal that Campbell had coined the name "New Labour" and described Campbell as a "genius". Campbell wrote the speech that led to the party's review of Clause Four and the birth of "New Labour". In addition to being press spokesman, Campbell was Blair's speech writer and chief strategist. He oversaw new co-ordination and rebuttal systems which gave birth to a communications machine which became both feared and respected, and the model for
Downing Street Director of Communications Street Press Secretary and Prime Minister's Spokesman. The position had the power to issue orders to civil servants, which was removed after Campbell's departure in 2003. Downing Street Director of Communications Downing Street Director of Communications is the post of Director of communications for the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The position is held by an appointed special advisor. The post was temporarily vacant from April to July 2017 following the resignation of the former Director of Communications Katie Perrior. The current Director of Communications is Robbie Gibb, who was appointed by Theresa May on 6 July 2017. The