SpAds (special advisers) provide advice and support to UK government ministers and are often highly influential. They are appointed directly by politicians and are party political rather than impartial. The 1964 Labour government, led by Harold Wilson, introduced the SpAd to UK politics.
In March 2025 there were 129 SpAds working in the government, including 42 supporting the prime minister (PM). They abide by a code of conduct which defines their role and their relationship with other bodies such as the civil service. The rules relating to SpAds are found in the Ministerial Code. Alastair Campbell, now a podcaster (The Rest is Politics), is an example of a famous and controversial SpAd. Under the Blair government, the ex-journalist tightly controlled the party’s media image and narrative.
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