Webchat with Alan Johnson, MP and author, Monday 21 November, 9-10pm

[RachelMumsnet]

We’re very pleased to announce a webchat with Alan Johnson MP on Monday 21 November between 9 and 10pm. Alan is the Labour MP for Hull West and Hessle and held a number of cabinet positions in both Blair and Brown governments, including Health Secretary, Home Secretary and Education Secretary. Alan has joined us a couple of times previously at Mumsnet, most recently in May, to talk about the EU Referendum.

On Monday Alan is coming to chat about his award winning and utterly brilliant series of memoirs, charting his life from his improverished childhood in West London to his days in Parliament; This Boy, Please Mr Postman and the recently published The Long and Winding Road.

Please join us on Monday - to talk to Alan about his memoirs, his life, his thoughts on the out come of the referendum - and anything else. As ever, if you’re unable to join on Monday eve, please post up a question in advance on this thread. All those who join the thread on Monday eve will be entered into a draw to win a signed copy of The Long and Winding Road.

[Cocolepew]

I was lucky enough to get the first book from MN. I absolutely loved it, so evocative of the times. I'm looking forward to reading the other two .
I'll come back when I think of a question

[Cheguevarahamster]

I had already read "This Boy" and I was lucky enough to get a copy of "Please Mr Postman" from Mumsnet . It's fascinating reading. Need to think of a question too!

[SirChenjin]

Really enjoyed listening to your interview on Steve Wright recently - fascinating stuff

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the NHS (as a current employee in Scotland). What do you think you did well/not so well, and what do you see for its future? (OK, that's 3 questions...)

[iseenodust]

House of Lords The Economics of HS2 (March 2015) "Prioritisation

1. The evidence we have heard suggests that investment in regional transport links between cities outside London could be more likely to generate significant growth in the north than HS2. The Government should consider whether improving trans-Pennine links, or building the northern legs of HS2 first, are higher priorities than the southern leg of HS2.
   

Q. In the light of the above, what do you think is the way forward for improved transport connectivity, speed & associated economic benefits for the regions, and in particular the Humber area given the decision this week to cancel the electrification of the Hull rail line?

ps For southern MNers we have overcrowded trains up here too (and not Corbyn-style full).

[ChinUpChestOut]

You were one of the beneficiaries of the NHS, council housing and grammar schools and partly because of this were able to access and develop your potential. What do you think of the life chances of today's young in the UK, who might also live with a broken family, in sub-standard housing, in a school that doesn't send many (if any) to university? Do you think this government, or any future government will offer them the same access to opportunities that you had? Or were you just lucky, 'right place, right time' (right generation) and that time will never come again? A beneficiary of a system that was funded by a true desire for a better world post WWII, and of course, by high taxation. (Loved your books, by the way - you're an inspiration).

[Stillnoidea]

Is there any hope for modern day politics, post brexit and trump?

[Cocolepew]

Hi Alan, in your first book you write about your love of music and your groups.
Do you still enjoy music today? Do you listen to new music or mostly older stuff?
Also do you still play the guitar?
Really enjoyed your book , your sister Linda is an inspiration .

[HappydaysArehere]

Loved your books. This Boy was wonderful. It referred to places I knew, especially the references to your grandmother's home in Sutton Buildings. I grew up in Sutton Buildings in Elystan/Cale Street, Chelsea. The layout as you described it in your grandmother's flat was the same. They were all modernised over the years and my parents continued to live there. Unfortunately, the Trust who owned them was taken over by a Housing Association. Despite protests, these are going to be turned into luxury homes for the wealthy! Like so many, we really regreted your withdrawal from the cabinet. The Labour Party needs you but we look forward to your input on important issues. We wish you well in whatever you decide to do.

[lalalonglegs]

Hi Alan - I also really enjoyed your books, especially This Boy (the description of the clusters of bluebottles on the ceilings during summer stays with me as does your description of trying to find a grammar school that would take a working class boy despite your having passed the 11+).

However, my question is about Brexit: I was a reluctant remainer but, since the result, I've become a passionate remainer and feel utterly let down by almost every parliamentary politician (who seem to feel that a 52% win is "overwhelming" and are allowing the government to pull off the biggest power grab in recent history under the guise that "The people have spoken"). Today there are reports that Tony Blair wants to step into the fray... who do you think can lead us out of this mess either by retaining membership of the EU or by negotiating a deal that won't be disastrous for the UK? Can you remember a period in your life/political career where the UK felt as divided as this?

[purplepandas]

Who is your current inspiration? I am just starting your early book, looking forward to getting more stuck in.

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

Hello Alan. I met you a few years ago at Kings College Hospital when you were Health Secretary and launching an initiative for CBT to be more readily available on the NHS (by providing funding and training for CBT practitioners). I was a patient and still have a photo of the day somewhere. How did that launch pan out in the end?

I will certainly read your books as my parents are/were both working class Londoners born in the 30s - and I've heard that you are a great writer!

[jammy388]

I really enjoyed Please, Mister Postman but wondered how far you feel we have progressed in relation to the two causes you mention - the eradication of poverty and greater equality - and what is the way forward from here?

[GlassOfPort]

Hi Alan,
another fan of your books here, I loved Mr Postman and look forward to reading the Long and Winding Road.

My question is about Brexit: why is labour being so passive with regards to article 50? If the government has no coherent plan in place, why shouldn't the opposition seek to delay the start of these negotiations? Like lalalonglegs, I do not feel my voice is being heard or represented by anyone in Parliament (except maybe the LibDems..)

[smearedinfood]

What's your take on Ed Balls doing Strictly Come Dancing?

[SpitNolen]

Hi Alan, I was lucky enough to get a free copy of This Boy and really enjoyed it (thanks Mumsnet). I had to go straight out to buy the second book as I enjoyed it so much and The Long and Winding Road is now on my Christmas list. The books are so honest and such an interesting reflection on London and the suburbs throughout the 60s/70s and 80s.

We need more politicians like you. Honest, intelligent and who genuinely understand what it's like to be poor. Did you not consider standing for Labour leader? And if not why? Would you not reconsider?

[VanillaSugarAndChristmasSpice]

Why don't MPs present their "human" side at Westminster?

Now that Ed Balls is no longer an MP, he seems quite endearing. Since July, George Osborne has had a personality transplant and is very funny and quite likeable in his recent spate of interviews & as a panellist (NEVER thought I'd say this!).

I have the deepest admiration for both you and Karl Turner, mainly because of your honesty, engagement with the public and because both of you don't appear to put on a "front."

So, what is it about Westminster that produces this change? Are the professional politicians partly responsible for the current mood of disenfranchisement? I have met various MPs at work functions and there is a clear distinction between MPs who have entered politics after a career (friendly, made me feel my opinion was valid) and those who haven't (always seemed to be on the lookout for someone more important to talk to).

Oh, and what's your favourite biscuit?

[SoloD]

As the former shadow chancellor, do you really believe that increasing government spending can really create sufficient growth to reduce our national debt, and has there been a country where this has worked? Do you understand why many people worry about the current policies which the Labour party seems to have?

[alialiath]

I was lucky to get a copy of Please Mr Postman from mumsnet, which I've now read. I found it interesting, as I remember the strikes mentioned, plus I know SW London area well, where you had you're postie's round.

My question to Alan. Q. Over the last few years, we've seen some MP's stealing the limelight in Strictly Come Dancing, the latest being Ed Balls. If asked, would you take part in Strictly in the future.??

[user1479748652]

Jeremy Corbyn has reduced me to a near-constant state of anxious, gibbering despair.

I can't imagine Britain needing a Labour government more than it does now, but things feel grindingly hopeless, and I can't see a way out. What optimism do you have for the future of the party, and what realistic path do you see back to government?

[FernieB]

Thanks MN for the copy of 'Please Mr Postman'. It's such a lovely easy read and the little details of life in the 70s remind me of lots of things/events from my own childhood.

I was wondering how your family feel about you writing about them? Do they proofread your text and make you remove passages?

[poppea]

You excoriated Jeremy Corbyn for his part in the EU campaign, and it was a really big part of what made me determined that he not stay on as leader over the summer.

Obviously things didn't turn out as I'd hoped - is the Labour response to the reality of Brexit similarly lacklustre? I've been quite disappointed by how much of the scrutiny of May's lack of a plan on Brexit has come from journalists rather than Labour - what points would you be making and what kind of Brexit would you be urging the government to pursue if you were leader?

[BlackSusie2004]

Thank you for my copy of This Boy, it was a fascinatingly honest read. It did make me realise, however, that there are MPs that have experienced poverty and not all were born with a silver spoon in their mouths.
Do you find it frustrating in Parliament with the majority who do not understand what it is like to live on the breadline, and see no problem with cutting what little income they have?

[Sem12]

Why do you think people voted in such substantial numbers for Brexit and for Trump?

[taytopotato]

What can Labour do win back in power?