A question worth asking
What makes someone fight for a fairer school system for decades? And why does education stir such emotion in the first place? If you’ve ever wondered how one person’s mix of family life, political experience, and deep conviction can shape an ongoing national debate, Fiona Millar’s story gives you plenty to think about.
Early life and what shaped her worldview
Fiona Millar was born on 2 January 1958 in Lambeth. She’s now 67 and still very much involved in public conversations about schools, parenting, and policy. She grew up in London, studied at Camden School for Girls, and later earned her degree at University College London. Those early years formed her view that public services matter most when they are accessible, supportive, and rooted in community life.
Young Fiona Millar and the start of her journalism path
Her career began in newspapers. She joined the Mirror Group on its graduate scheme, then moved into wider reporting roles. As a young journalist, she had a curiosity-driven approach, the kind that pushes you to understand how decisions made in offices ripple through everyday life.
When she became a mother, her attention shifted toward social issues and education. Her writing leaned into questions about childhood, fairness, and how parents navigate school systems that aren’t always clear or equal.
Working in politics and seeing policy up close
In 1995, she stepped into a major shift, becoming an adviser to Cherie Blair. After the 1997 general election, she worked inside Downing Street. From 2001 to 2003, she served as Director of Events and Visits. Those years gave her a front-row seat to how education policy forms, changes, and sometimes clashes with real-world needs.
The experience didn’t push her toward power for its own sake. It sharpened her sense that families and teachers needed stronger voices.
Leaving government and finding a purpose
After leaving No. 10, she returned to journalism with a new focus. She began writing for The Guardian about school admissions, public policy, and the future of state education. She also campaigned for comprehensive schools and worked with organisations focused on fairness and accountability.
At the same time, she served as a governor in her children’s schools. Raising three kids inside the London state system gave her insight that wasn’t abstract. It was daily life. One of her children is Grace Campbell, now a writer and comedian.
Her core beliefs about education
Here’s what matters when you look at her work. Fiona Millar argues that public education should lift children rather than divide them. She rejects the idea that selective or market-driven schooling creates fairness. She often writes about how inequality hardens when schools become competitive in the wrong ways.
She supports broad, creative learning rather than exam-heavy pressure on young students. She also pushes for admissions systems that don’t favour those who already have advantages. At the heart of her message is a simple idea: schools should strengthen communities instead of sorting children by background.
Fiona Millar in 2025
Even now, she continues speaking out. She writes, appears in interviews, and challenges political decisions that weaken public education. Her perspective still carries weight because it comes from experience, not theory. She knows how policy feels on the ground.
Personal life and partnership
Fiona Millar has spent more than four decades with Alastair Campbell. They met as trainees, built a family together, and entered a civil partnership in 2021. People often search for his Wikipedia page or ask whether they’re married. They’re not married, but they’re partners in every meaningful sense.
They have three children. Their home life and their professional work often overlap, especially since both speak openly about mental health, family pressures, and political choices.
Illness and openness
Fiona Millar herself has not been widely associated with any major illness, but her partner Alastair Campbell has been open about depression. She has supported him throughout his mental health journey, something he has discussed publicly. Their honesty has helped break stigma, especially through projects like the Heads Together campaign.
A public voice that remains grounded
She writes columns, joins panel discussions, supports school governors, and continues pushing conversations about fairness in policy. Despite working in high-pressure government roles in the past, her communication style remains rooted in ordinary experience, parents, classrooms, and local communities.
If you ever want to explore how public life connects with personal life, her career is a strong example.
Two related reads
If you enjoy exploring public figures whose work intersects with community, media, and culture, you might like:
- A Closer Look at Hettie Jago Sister and Her Family —
- Where Reality Meets Stage: Fionnuala Kennedy’s Craft —
These pieces add context to the world around Fiona Millar’s generation of communicators and storytellers.
FAQs
Who is Fiona Millar married to?
She isn’t married, but she is in a civil partnership with Alastair Campbell.
Who is Alastair Campbell’s wife?
He doesn’t have a wife. His long-term partner is Fiona Millar.
What is Fiona Millar known for?
She is known for her journalism, her advocacy for fair education, and her work supporting families, students, and public schools.
What does Fiona Millar do?
She writes, speaks, and campaigns for comprehensive education and continues engaging in public policy debates.
Do Fiona and Steve get married?
This seems to refer to another pair altogether. Fiona Millar’s partner is Alastair Campbell, not Steve.
