Alex Deane

Alex Deane is a director at Bell Pottinger Public Affairs, a former chief of staff to David Cameron in opposition, and the founding director of Big Brother Watch.

Views

In a piece written for PR Week in June 2011 Deane declared his love for think-tanks and campaigning organisations, although recognising that "the line between the two was becoming increasingly blurred":

"But I still think that my perceptions are accurate when I say that the importance of these groups has never been higher. They exert influence upon, and provide room to debate for, the leading lights within the coalition Government. And their importance should not be overlooked by those working in public relations.

Think-tanks are changing minds at the heart of our national debate."

He highlighted the influence of several right-wing and free-market think tanks such as the Taxpayers' Alliance, The Freedom Association, Adam Smith Institute, Institute of Economic Affairs and Policy Exchange and Politeia.

Career

In 2004-2005 he was Chief of Staff to Tim Collins and David Cameron during their respective periods as Shadow Secretaries of State for Education, and worked in the Conservative Party’s Headquarters.

In 2007, Alex was asked to serve as an adviser to the Australian Liberal Party’s campaign for re-election at the federal polls under John Howard. He spent seven months on that campaign – and even demonstrated his commitment to the cause by subsequently marrying an Australian Liberal.

As the founding Director of prominent civil liberties campaigning organisation Big Brother Watch, Alex led the production of researched reports on CCTV cameras, the DNA database, covert surveillance by councils, data chips in dustbins, the right of local officials to enter private property, privacy in the NHS and CCTV cars. In campaigning on all of these issues and more, he lobbied all of the political parties and appeared regularly on national and international radio and television.

Alex read English Literature at Cambridge University and took a Masters degree in International Relations as a Rotary Scholar at Griffith University. He is a World Universities Debating Champion. A barrister by training Alex is the author, co-author or editor of several books and pamphlets about law and politics.

Publications

• former editor of Big Brother Watch: the state of civil liberties in modern Britain.

Affiliations

• active member of the Conservative Party since 1995.
• Freedom Association - member

Contact

Website:

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