ONE of the country’s most popular politicians took time away from the turmoil in his party to talk at Swindon Festival of Literature yesterday.

Labour’s Alan Johnson spoke to a sell-out crowd at the Arts Centre about his second book and the current political scene.

Ever self-deprecating, the MP for Hull West and Hessle offered amusing anecdotes as well as heartfelt stories from his time as postman, which formed the basis for many of his political views.

The first half of the show was an interview about the book conducted by the BBC’s Mark O’Donnell, focusing on the book.

Starting from the time he was first offered a council flat in Slough, Mr Johnson spoke of raising a young family while often working seven days a week as a post man.

He fondly described the characters he worked with, many veterans of the Second World War, as well as his foray into the world of Trade Unions.

The Postal Workers’ Union, of which he was a member, was one of the less militant unions, more focused on improving a public service rather than aiming to achieve any kind of political agenda.

It was through these experiences, he said, that he saw the true importance of trade unions. He spoke of leaders like Tom Jackson who would regularly choose the more difficult option of compromising with employers as opposed to the populist route which could often lead to defeat, a tactic used by the likes of Arthur Scargill.

Like with many of the guests at the festival, the second half of the hour was given over to the audience to ask questions to him, and the issue of the place of trade unions in the present day was brought up.

Mr Johnson said: “Unions are still needed absolutely to help workers in a wide range of positions. That is very important still and the demand is still there.

“But the trade unions have not been able to relate to a modern work force. More thought needs to be given to how they can communicate their message across.”

Almost inevitably, Labour’s recent poor performance in the election was raised, with the MP once again reiterating he has no intention of running for the position of party leader.

He said: “If you want to be the leader you have to have the appetite for it and I have never had that appeal.

“I have great admiration for David Cameron and Ed Miliband for there desire but I have to be honest with myself and it is not something I want.”

There was also brief mention of his other passion in life, Queens Park Rangers, who have recently been relegated from the Premier League, something which he said early on had capped off a bad week.