An end to the era of spin

I seem to remember Gordon Brown promising that his time as PM would mark an end to the era of spin, or some such verbal rubbish. So I was interested to read that:

"Gordon Brown has hired the public relations man who helped revive the Queen’s image after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, to try to restore his own battered reputation.

Simon Lewis, a suave spin doctor whose services have been sought by Buckingham Palace, Centrica and Vodafone, will begin work at Downing St at the end of July

He is an old acquaintance of Peter Mandelson, business secretary, who is charged with overhauling Mr Brown’s media operation and improving government strategic planning.

...

Like Alistair Campbell, another holder of the post, he is expected to take on a powerful strategic communications role.

...

His brother, William Lewis, is editor of the Daily Telegraph"

The brother of The Telegraph's editor, a friend of Peter Mandelson; a good choice for PR man. For myself this is pretty much the last straw, I think I will have to move back from The Telegraph to The Times.


NB: I believe Tony Blair's sidekick was Alastair Campbell not Alistair Campbell.