For many he’s the great leader that Labour should have had. Now that he’s left frontline politics, Alan Johnson is trying his hand at writing fiction with his debut thriller The Late Train to Gipsy Hill out now. In a wide-ranging interview, he talks to Andrew Harrison about his love of suspense novels, whether the book’s plot alludes to the Litvinenko murder, Starmer’s first year in charge, Labour’s Brexit turmoil… and that infamous election night monologue against Jon Lansman.

Also featuring mod talk, with a special playlist chosen by Alan.

•  “I never wanted to be Labour leader… neither did Corbyn and it showed”

•  “I was part of the history of the Labour Party. 2010 was not my time”

•  “The public are still unsure if we’re in the Corbyn mould. Keir needs to assure them that we’re not”

•  “If Theresa May’s deal had gone through the Tory Party would’ve torn themselves apart”

•  “Nobody should go into politics without some real-life experience under their belt”

Produced and presented by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3q8577kzcw3HVN6XvabFtw?si=4BNgYsoTQTWzVSeRGDfirg&dl_branch=1

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