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Biographer John Campbell explains why Roy Jenkins was the best Prime Minister we never had. Although he never reached 10 Downing Street, Jenkins was behind some of the most seminal reforms of the 20th century. He drove through decriminalisation of homosexuality and legalisation of abortion, abolished theatre censorship, introduced the first anti-discrimination laws, reformed the police and courts, played a decisive role in achieving EU membership for the UK and served as the first and only British president of the European Commission. His founding of the Social Democrat Party led to the formation of today’s Liberal Democrats and paved the way for Tony Blair’s New Labour. On top of that, he was a prolific writer, had a genius for friendship and enjoyed an unconventional private life.

Campbell is the author of many biographies including one of Edward Heath, which won the 1994 NCR Award, and The Iron Lady: Margaret Thatcher, from Grocer’s Daughter to Iron Lady.