Alan Johnson is believed by many to be the best party leader Labour never had.
But he is also a man of the people - one of those few politicians who can strike a chord with ordinary people.
From humble origins, he climbed to the top of the establishment, yet never lost touch with his roots.
Elected to parliament in 1997, he has served as Home Secretary, Health Secretary, Education Secretary and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer.
By contrast, Ed Miliband entered parliament in 2005 and served in the lesser government posts of Minister for the Cabinet Office, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, before he was elected leader of the Labour Party.
Johnson left school at fifteen, became a postman and worked his way up through the Union of Communication Workers to become its General Secretary, before becoming an MP.
He is old-school Labour with a genuine working-class background.
He supported David Miliband in his bid to become leader of the Labour Party after the resignation of Gordon Brown.
But after serving just three-and-a-half months as Ed Miliband’s Shadow Chancellor, he resigned for personal reasons.
Many politicians and pundits regard him as the Labour leader – or even Prime Minister – in waiting.
This concise biography follows Alan Johnson’s formative years growing up poor in south London, through to his influential involvement in the Labour Party.
'A fascinating book about a fascinating man.' - Robert Foster, best-selling author of 'The Lunar Code'.
Nigel Cawthorne is the author of over 160 books including ‘Jeremy Clarkson: Motormouth’, ‘Harry: A Prince Among Men’ and ‘A Little Bit of Stephen Fry’. He lives in Bloomsbury, London's literary area.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
But he is also a man of the people - one of those few politicians who can strike a chord with ordinary people.
From humble origins, he climbed to the top of the establishment, yet never lost touch with his roots.
Elected to parliament in 1997, he has served as Home Secretary, Health Secretary, Education Secretary and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer.
By contrast, Ed Miliband entered parliament in 2005 and served in the lesser government posts of Minister for the Cabinet Office, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, before he was elected leader of the Labour Party.
Johnson left school at fifteen, became a postman and worked his way up through the Union of Communication Workers to become its General Secretary, before becoming an MP.
He is old-school Labour with a genuine working-class background.
He supported David Miliband in his bid to become leader of the Labour Party after the resignation of Gordon Brown.
But after serving just three-and-a-half months as Ed Miliband’s Shadow Chancellor, he resigned for personal reasons.
Many politicians and pundits regard him as the Labour leader – or even Prime Minister – in waiting.
This concise biography follows Alan Johnson’s formative years growing up poor in south London, through to his influential involvement in the Labour Party.
'A fascinating book about a fascinating man.' - Robert Foster, best-selling author of 'The Lunar Code'.
Nigel Cawthorne is the author of over 160 books including ‘Jeremy Clarkson: Motormouth’, ‘Harry: A Prince Among Men’ and ‘A Little Bit of Stephen Fry’. He lives in Bloomsbury, London's literary area.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
