From his childhood as an orphan in the post-war slums to his heyday in the corridors of power, the former postman and Home Secretary may have the most remarkable life story in all of politics.
Born into poverty and violence in the West London slums, kept out of the care system by the tenacity of his sister Linda, who raised him while she herself was still only a child, Alan Johnson’s early years are hardly typical of the political class.
His journey from orphan to postman to trade union leader and, eventually, cabinet minister, is nothing less than the story of modern Britain itself. In this free, livestreamed conversation with Matthew Stadlen, we’ll journey from post-war austerity to Cool Britannia, visiting the almost forgotten worlds of rock-and-roll and bingo halls, of trawlermen and trade unionists, of the Blair-Brown years and the ill-fated Remain campaign. Join us as Alan delves with characteristic honesty, authenticity and humour into a life that seems unimaginable today.
This talk takes place at 6:30pm British Summer Time.
About Our Digital Programme:
In response to the global pandemic, How To Academy is curating a not-for-profit programme of live-streamed talks and conversations bringing you advice, insight and entertainment. Tickets are offered on a Pay What You Can basis, including a Free option for those who cannot afford more at this difficult time. Thank you for your help sustaining How To Academy through the crisis — and for enabling us to share new thinking from across the globe at a time when it has never been more important.
