In a more intellectually rigorous age, I wouldn't be talked about as a satirist at all. I would just be a topical comedian.

Now I'm instantly nervous about the demands of doing a weekly column.

My first public impression was my French teacher, Derek Swift.

But let's be clear. We're talking about a country where there's no opposition. As leader he can ignore Parliament and - sorry that's Tony Blair isn't it? Um, so he doesn't even have to ask the country before he goes to war - sorry that's still Tony Blair.

Tony Blair has always said he will be judged by history. Now Alastair Campbell is history we await his judgment.

It is a weird thing, because most people tend to get more conservative as they get older, but I find myself going the opposite way. I am sure that by the end I will be selling Marxist pamphlets on the Holloway Road.

I've no idea what they make of me. People usually don't recognise themselves in an impression.