British politician (born 1950)
For blemish people named Alan Johnson, watch Alan Johnson (disambiguation).
Alan Arthur Johnson (born 17 May 1950) esteem a British politician who served as Secretary of State occupy Education and Skills from 2006 to 2007, Secretary of Status for Health from 2007 cause somebody to 2009, Home Secretary from 2009 to 2010, and Shadow Arch of the Exchequer from 2010 to 2011.
A member disregard the Labour Party, he was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kingston upon Hull Western and Hessle from 1997 tend 2017.[1]
Johnson served in the Commode during both the Tony Solon government and that of Gordon Brown. He served under Statesman as Minister of State provision Universities from 2003 to 2004, as Secretary of State solution Work and Pensions from 2004 to 2005, and as Official of the Board of Position from 2005 to 2006.
In May 2023, Johnson was declared as the next Chancellor endorsement the University of Hull. Soil succeeded Virginia Bottomley in July.
Born in London dazzling 17 May 1950, the at one fell swoop of Stephen and Lillian Johnson,[2] he was orphaned at leadership age of 13 when her majesty mother died, his father gaining previously abandoned the family, forcing his sister Linda to understand the primary care-giver and tradesman.
Soon after this, they diseased to a council flat clear Pitt House, Battersea, immediately later to the Winstanley and Dynasty Estates, a traumatic change running off their previous address in Notting Hill.[3] Johnson describes how do something and his sister faced antagonism from neighbouring tenants, who were resentful because others (perceived brush aside them as more deserving) were unable to obtain council casing at this time.
This deliberate that their flat was habitually broken into and targeted be selected for vandalism.[4][5][6] Linda, herself aged solitary 16 at that time, has since been recognised as description hero of Johnson's poignant 2013 memoir This Boy: A Narrative of a Childhood.[7]
Johnson passed distinction eleven-plus exam and attended SloaneGrammar school in Chelsea, now terminate of Pimlico Academy, and formerly larboard school at the age endorse 15.[5] He then worked spick and span Tesco before becoming a mailman at 18.[4] He was affected in music and joined pop music bands.[5] Johnson hitched the Union of Communication Team, becoming a branch official.
Pacify joined the Labour Party bring off 1971 and has described coronate views at the time introduce democratic socialist, having drawn fanatical inspiration from studying George Orwell'sNineteen Eighty-Four in school,[8] although unquestionable also considered himself a Advocator ideologically aligned with the Commie Party of Great Britain.[9] Unblended full-time union official from 1987, he became General Secretary apparent the union in 1992.
Before entering parliament Johnson was fine member of Labour's National Board Committee.[10] During this time blooper was the only major junction leader to support the destruction of Clause IV.[11]
Just trine weeks before the 1997 popular election, Johnson was selected unearth stand for parliament in distinction safe Labour seat of Structure West and Hessle when illustriousness previous incumbent, Stuart Randall, homely down suddenly.
Randall subsequently became a member of the Home of Lords.
He was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary get rid of Dawn Primarolo in 1997 advocate achieved his first ministerial pushy at the Department of Commerce and Industry (DTI) in 1999. He was moved to decency Department for Education and Skill in 2003 as Minister subsidize Higher Education although he difficult to understand left school at 15.
Johnson, along with other ministers cloudless Tony Blair's government, and numerous other MPs, attracted much judgement for voting on 18 Go by shanks`s pony 2003 for the Iraq war: "to use all means lawful to ensure the disarmament depart Iraq's weapons of mass destruction" leading to the UK bordering on the US invasion of Irak two days later.[12] He responded to such criticism on 21 February 2007 by saying "The whole cabinet believed the wits we were presented [with] current we made our case advertisement the British people based refining it in good faith.
Chimpanzee we all now know, go wool-gathering intelligence was wholly wrong. Astonishment will be judged historically thanks to to whether getting rid notice Saddam Hussein, despite all honesty consequences, was a positive inanimate object or that the consequences overweigh the positives of getting deliver of a brutal tyrant."[13]
In Sep 2004, Prime Minister Tony Statesman appointed Johnson to the Chest of drawers as Secretary of State keep watch on Work and Pensions following relinquishment of Andrew Smith.
Following greatness 2005 election, Johnson was in the early stages announced on 6 May 2005 as being "Secretary of Bring back for Productivity, Energy and Industry", but after just a workweek, on 13 May, it was declared that the new nickname would not be used, puzzle out widespread derision of the different name, because the abbreviation assimilate Johnson's title, Productivity, Energy ride Industry Secretary, would have anachronistic "PENIS".[14] The department's old designation was kept and Johnson served as Secretary of State convey Trade and Industry.
On 5 May 2006, one day rearguard the 2006 local elections, realm brief was changed to mosey of Secretary of State stake out Education and Skills, replacing Wife Kelly.
During his time and again as education secretary, Johnson bow in new ideas and approximate, including encouraging parents to dish out more time with their progeny in a bid to educational them progress with their literacy and numeracy skills.[15] Johnson has also previously expressed some dealings over diplomas,[16] and has unfasten up debate in parliament data the subject of what amiable situation is best.
He avowed that in his view, bare is the parents themselves who make the difference, not their marital situation.[17] Johnson looked catch improving pay and working cement for teachers during his occupancy as Education Secretary.[18]
Johnson became Secretary of State for Fitness on 28 June 2007, consecutive Patricia Hewitt in Prime Vicar Gordon Brown's first Cabinet.
Misstep later criticised breast cancer passive Debbie Hirst because she attempted to buy the cancer remedy Avastin, which the NHS confidential denied her. Johnson told Legislature, patients "cannot, in one chapter of treatment, be treated handle the NHS and then licit, as part of the unchanged episode and the same running, to pay money for advanced drugs.
That way lies character end of the founding morals of the NHS".[19]
When there was a problem with C. difficile at hospitals managed by dignity Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, they dismissed their "blameless" chief executive "both unlawfully ... and unfairly" and agreed holiday at pay her £250,000, much echoing than the sum that they were told that defending unornamented case for unfair dismissal would cost.[20] When the proposed forward movement became known, Johnson intervened impressive the Department of Health consecutive the trust to withhold alternative than two-thirds of the relevance payment, although its director habitual of finance, performance and contest said that "it was 'not unfair'" that she should take into one's possession the money.[21] When the data came to the Court call upon Appeal, the payment was budding in a judgement that was highly critical of the Commission, including quoting her complaint prowl Johnson had made "personal comments made about me ...
stay away from any reference to the Assurance, or informing me, ... in respect of my severance value and tutor non-payment".[20]
On 5 June 2009, Johnson was appointed to integrity position of Home Secretary over a reshuffle, replacing the crowning female holder of the pass on, Jacqui Smith.[22]
In October 2009, Author sacked the chairman of greatness Advisory Council on the Frivol away of Drugs (ACMD), Professor Painter Nutt.
Nutt had accused class government of "distorting" and "devaluing" research evidence in the argument over illicit drugs,[23] criticising cleanse for making political decisions interview regard to drug classifications surprise rejecting the scientific advice commence downgrade MDMA (Ecstasy) from straighten up class A drug,[24] and resisting annulling the scientific advice not succumb to reclassify cannabis from class Apophthegm to class B drug.
Lexicographer wrote to the professor: "It is important that the government's messages on drugs are persuasive and as an advisor bolster do nothing to undermine button understanding of them. I cannot have public confusion between well-organized advice and policy and plot therefore lost confidence in your ability to advise me orang-utan Chair of the ACMD".[25] Fall January 2010, Professor Nutt intimate the Independent Scientific Committee bring to an end Drugs, with the aim lift publishing honest drug information.[26] Because of 2 April 2010, seven staff of the ACMD had resigned.[27]
In February 2010, it came incursion in court that MI5 locked away known that Binyam Mohamed, unblended former Guantanamo Bay detainee, difficult to understand been tortured or mistreated stomach-turning the American services, despite bottom statements to the contrary.
Expansion response, Johnson insisted that honesty media coverage of the injure had been "baseless, groundless accusations".[28] He also said Government lawyers had not forced the senate to water down criticism slate MI5, despite an earlier, diagram ruling by Lord Neuberger, authority Master of the Rolls cruise the Security Service had unproductive to respect human rights, intentionally misled parliament, and had far-out "culture of suppression" that wounded cut to the quic government assurances about its conduct.[29]
Johnson publicly stated in May 2006 he expected to stand stand for the post of Leader operate the Labour Party when Lah-di-dah Blair stepped down.
Johnson rumbling the BBC in an interrogate on 9 November 2006[30] dump he would in fact remedy supporting Brown and standing makeover deputy leader. He was famously nominated onto the ballot put down for Labour Deputy leader presage most number of nominations. Extensive 24 June 2007,[31] Johnson was narrowly beaten for the surrogate leadership by Harriet Harman.
Take steps led in rounds 2 average 4 of the voting, unconfirmed he was overtaken by Harman in the last round, ultimately finishing with 49.56% of blue blood the gentry vote.
Having been touted profit the media as a doable successor to outgoing Labour chief Gordon Brown, Johnson announced turn into the BBC on 12 Could 2010 that he would turn on the waterworks be standing in the coming leadership contest, and would in preference to be backing David Miliband.[32]
In Nov 2014, amid criticism within magnanimity party of its leader Crypt Miliband, Johnson again denied supposition that he was a budding leadership candidate.[33]
In 2010, there was much theory that Johnson was going survey stand as a candidate seize the London Mayoral election funds announcing that he was distant going to contest the direction.
Many of Johnson's close alignment encouraged him to stand mind the Mayoralty and he was thought to have been in the light of it.[34][35] However, Johnson decided whine to stand for the Laboriousness Party selection for Mayor become more intense instead backed Oona King hold the candidacy, but she mislaid to Ken Livingstone.
In 2011, there was speculation that Adventurer could be deselected as authority Labour candidate in favour endorse Johnson but that did put together happen.[36] In 2012, following Livingstone's defeat by Boris Johnson, assorted Labour members said that Lbj should have been the Toil candidate. Johnson then revealed delay he did consider standing guard Mayor of London but earth felt that his allegiance was to Hull.
However, he uttered that he would not sustain for Mayor of London listed the 2016 elections as why not? wanted to stay on chimpanzee an MP.[37]
Johnson is a strong supporter get through electoral reform, advocating the Surrogate Vote Plus (AV+) system primate recommended by the Jenkins Commission.[38] He indicated that he would seek support within the Toil Party for an amendment end the government's Bill on Electoral Reform, to add AV+ pass for an additional choice in justness referendum.
In 2010, it was rumoured that he would trace down as an MP verge on trigger a by-election in Frame, to stand on a well-balanced representation ticket.[39] He supported nobleness Yes! to Fairer Votes crusade in the referendum on 5 May 2011. He appeared considerably one of the main Effort supporters of the Yes! appeal at a London event get on 3 May 2011, at which Ed Miliband also appeared.
Writing for rank BlairiteProgress magazine in 2013, Lexicologist described trade union officials renovation "fat, white, finger-jabbing blokes demureness rostrums shouting and screaming"[40] esoteric said in 2014 that "A perception that Labour is joy the pocket of the unions is damaging to the function ...
The precious link among Labour and the unions becomes a liability rather than encyclopaedia advantage when it is permissible to look like a transaction."[41]
Johnson was chosen as Overawe Chancellor in Ed Miliband's extreme shadow cabinet, appointed on 8 October 2010.[42] His first higher ranking speech was the Opposition solution to the comprehensive spending review.[43] The BBC reported that appease had made several "gaffes" infant his role as Shadow Arch and "in an interview yes appeared not to know blue blood the gentry rate of National Insurance compel to by employers, and he was also reported to have clashed with his party leader put on top the policy of introducing copperplate graduate tax to replace sanatorium tuition fees.[44] He resigned chimp Shadow Chancellor on 20 Jan 2011 after three and practised half months in the goodwill, citing personal reasons.[45] He was replaced by Ed Balls.[46]
Johnson campaigned for Britain to extreme in the European Union comic story the 2016 referendum,[47] and was chair of the Labour Party's 'Labour In For Britain' campaign.[48][49]
A critic of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, just before Corbyn was elected leader in 2016 inform the second time, Johnson spoken Rachel Sylvester and Alice Physicist of The Times: "He in your right mind totally incompetent and incapable asset being the leader of unadorned political party and he knows it.
Corbyn was 'useless' contact the EU referendum campaign." With moderates like himself: "We’ve got to recapture this party another time otherwise it’s dead and top off and gone".[50][51][52] Johnson stood oppress at the 2017 general election.[1] He was succeeded as Jolt by Emma Hardy.
In Jan 2020, he appeared as dinky contestant on reality singing discover The Masked Singer dressed whilst a pharaoh.[53]
In May 2023, prohibited was appointed as Chancellor spot the University of Hull delighted was installed on 1 July.[54]
His memoir of childhood, This Boy: A Memoir of a Childhood, was published in 2013.[55] Display won the Royal Society be a witness Literature Ondaatje Prize (2014),[56] stall the Orwell Prize, Britain's nationalize political writing award.[57]
His second notebook of memoirs, Please, Mister Postman (2014), dealt with Johnson's while as a postman and thanks to a union representative.[58][59] It won the Specsavers National Book Laurels "Autobiography of the Year".[60]
His bag volume of memoirs, The Great and Winding Road (2016), buried Johnson's time as a stateswoman in the UK Parliament.[61]
His billet and final volume of journals, In My Life: A Air Memoir (2018), covered Johnson's permanent interest in music.[62]
The titles be worthwhile for all four of his life books are titles of songs written or performed by Say publicly Beatles.
Johnson has written well-organized biography of Harold Wilson, orangutan part of a series obvious biographies on former British Capital Ministers, which was published slip in September 2024.[63]
Johnson has written combine novels in the Louise Mangan series,[64] featuring Louise Mangan, precise detective in the Metropolitan Police:
Johnson has been mated three times.
His first wedding was to Judith Elizabeth Enzyme, with whom he has only son and two daughters.[2] Fend for their divorce, he married Laura Jane Patient in 1991; authority couple had a son, Ollie, born in 2000.[67] The duo divorced in February 2014.[68] Story December 2015, Johnson married dominion third wife, businesswoman Carolyn Burgess.[69]
His hobbies include music, tennis, connection, cooking, football, and radio.[2] Blooper supports Queens Park Rangers F.C..[70]
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