Review: Chris Mullin, 'The Art of Political Leadership', Durham Book Festival 2015

In his sell-out event at Durham Town Hall, ex-Labour MP and Minister Chris Mullin told his audience: “One thing you should know about life in the stratosphere is that it is rarefied.”
The former Labour Minister and South Sunderland MP delivered his touring talk, The Art of Political Leadership, at the venue for Durham Book Festival on Saturday afternoon.
He began the session with a few well-received jokes about the refined life of a politician, before talking about the key attributes needed to be a successful politician.
 Drawing from examples of leaders such as Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair and Clement Attlee, Mr Mullin shared what he had learned from his years in politics, beginning with his first lesson: “No matter how high you rise, keep your head on the ground.”
He also emphasised the importance of clear vision, citing Mr Blair as an example of this: “He had a capacity, which he never lost, to think strategically.”
Mr Mullin served in Tony Blair’s government, and his admiration for the leader’s early governing actions was apparent in the talk. Blair, he said, was ‘young, dynamic, brave, and most of all moderate.” He added: “His aim was to drag the Labour Party to the foreground of British politics, and to keep it there.” 
Mr Mullin also discussed Clement Attlee in his speech. He said that while Attlee was “utterly lacking in many of the qualities required for political leadership”, he “helped to get results and to get the best out of his colleagues.”
Mr Mullin was, however, more critical of Margaret Thatcher, claiming that “the longer she was in office, the more imperious she became.”
After the 30-minute talk, Mr Mullin opened the floor for questions. As expected, the recent election of Jeremy Corbyn to Labour leadership gained attention in the context of Mullin’s 1982 novel ‘A Very British Coup’, the plot of which is very similar to Corbyn’s surprise appointment.
Commenting on Corbyn’s leadership skills, Mr Mullin said that while he is a “lovely fellow”, he is “a man utterly lacking in many of the basic skills for political leadership.” 
Asked whether he thought Corbyn could become Prime Minister in four years, Mr Mullin said: “Jeremy has inhabited a small, fairly dark corner of British politics for many years.” He added: “The jury’s still out.”

Corbyn reaction has reached "near hysteria" claims former MP

Image: The Northern Echo

THE author of a novel portraying a fictional coup staged against a left-wing British Prime Minister says the media response to the election of Jeremy Corbyn has reached “near hysteria”.
Former MP and minister Chris Mullin said the reaction of the media to the unexpected election of the new Labour leader mirrors that predicted in his 1982 novel A Very British Coup.
Mr Mullin is to give a sell-out talk on The Art Of Political Leadership, examining the careers of 20th Century political leaders, on Saturday as part of the Durham Book Festival.
He said that he expects Mr Corbyn’s name to be mentioned when he answers questions from the audience after his talk.
A Very British Coup centres on the surprise election of left-wing Labour candidate Harry Perkins and the attempt of MI5, the City and the press to bring him down.
Mr Mullin said: “The reaction of much of the media to the Corbyn leadership has been more or less along the lines predicted in my novel, written 35 years ago – near hysteria.
“Some of the military are behaving predictably, too”.
Asked whether there is a difference between a good political leader for the north and one for the south, Mr Mullin told The Northern Echo: “The fates of the north and the south are linked.
“When the south catches a cold, we get flu up here.”
He added: “Actually, the north has done a good job of reinventing itself since the disappearance of our traditional industries.
“Nissan in Sunderland has been a particular success. 
“The recent arrival of Hitachi, fitting out railway carriages in Newton Aycliffe, is also good news.”
Chris Mullin will speak at Durham Town Hall on Saturday at 3pm. He will also interview Vince Cable in the Town Hall at 7.30pm the same day.

Originally published in The Northern Echo.