Hodder scoops Streeting’s ‘inspiring’ journey from council house to House of Commons

Hodder & Stoughton has signed an as-yet-untitled memoir by Labour MP Wes Streeting about how growing up on a council estate shaped him, the importance of education, family bonds and how to escape poverty.

Editorial consultant Tom Perrin and publisher Rowena Webb acquired world all language rights through Laura Macdougall at United Agents, for publication in 2023. 

Focusing on his early life, the book explores Streeting’s childhood growing up on a council estate in Stepney, east London, as the son of teenage parents, bringing to life the struggle and heartache of his parents’ and grandparents’ lives in poverty and the impact this had on his upbringing. 

It will describe the strong characters who made him what he is and the community, values and sense of humour that forged his formative years as well as painting a portrait of the life-changing power of education, the publisher said. Inspired by a series of teachers, Streeting won a place at Cambridge, there beginning his political vocation as president of the NUS. Having struggled to come out to family and friends he later became head of education at Stonewall. He was elected an MP in 2015, after a stint in local government.  

He said: “I’m excited to be telling my story with Hodder about my journey from council house to House of Commons. Growing up in poverty is grinding and humiliating and, worse still, can be suffocating and defeating. But, as this story tells through the lens of two different East End families, it is a trap that we can escape.”

Perrin said: “I approached Wes about writing a book as I was struck by the intensity of his personal story and its relevance to the present day. His insights highlight the importance of family, the value of education, the challenges of escaping the poverty trap, and many other things. And he tells his story in his own distinctively empathetic yet positive and inspiring way. I am delighted to be working with Wes.”