Q&A MAIN IMAGE: MARK THOMAS


What made you become a journalist/PR?


I joined the Amalgamated Engineering Union in 1991 and worked with Charlie Whelan just when the movement was getting to grips with communications.


What other jobs have you done? I worked in Harrods for five years. I was a shop steward and wrote a lot of newsletters denouncing the management. It’s how I honed my propaganda skills.


What advice would you give someone starting in journalism?


The best advice was given to me by political journalist Kevin Maguire: “Keep pushing until it blows up in your face and then start all over again.”


Who is your biggest hero? Nelson Mandela. I met him after Amicus raised £25,000 for the legs of his statue in Westminster. He was very jolly despite being rather ill.


And villain?


When did you join the NUJ and why?


Such luminaries as Paul Routledge and Barrie Clement persuaded me I should join the NUJ if I wanted to remain on the list of trusted union sources.


What’s been your best moment in your career? Being the first to expose the duplicity of Tony Blair’s spin machine at the TUC Congress when they announced the death of spin. With the aid of PA industry editor Alan Jones, I got the quote of my boss Derek Simpson in first.


What is the worst place you’ve ever worked in? I have been lucky enough to work in unions or associations that shared my values, surrounded by like-minded people, so I have few complaints. I did mix concrete for a week during a uni holiday once. I slept for 12 hours after each shift.


And the best?


Amicus in 2001-2007. We did some groundbreaking things like engaging with young people at Glastonbury and we ran some great campaigns.


Thatcher. She stole my milk, ruined my education and caused me to be unemployed for two years in the 1980s. And of course did lasting damage to the fabric of my country.


NUJ & Me


Richard O’Brien is head of communications at the


Institute of the Motor Industry


Which six people (alive or dead) would you invite to a dinner party?


The Tolpuddle Martyrs and Jimmy Airlie, hero of the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders dispute and my mentor at the start of my career.


What was your earliest political thought?


Surely we should have elections for the positions of mum and dad.


What are your hopes for journalism over the next five years? A stabilisation in the number of media outlets. That the cuts in staff and overloading of work on those who remain will end. I hope journalists will have more time to find stories rather than regurgitate propaganda.


And fears? That it won’t happen


Are many of your friends in the union?


Only the journalists and PR people – the rest of my friends are normal.


How would you like to be remembered?


As a serious man plagued by a troublesome inner child.


theJournalist | 17


FINNBARR WEBSTER / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, ALAMY.COM


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