“I love book festivals. Indeed I sometimes say that the only reason I write books is so that I can attend them. It’s not too far from the truth. Where else do the public turn up in such numbers to display a knowledge and appreciation of books that is deeply moving for a book lover like me.

On Sunday, May 28th Carolyn and I went to one of our favourite locations – Salisbury where I came in 2015 to talk about ‘Please, Mister Postman’. There was a general election in full flow just as there is now. I thought we’d all opted for a five year fixed term parliament but instead we’re getting an election every other year (with referendums in between). 

We stayed in the historic Red Lion Hotel and did two events, the original having sold out and there being sufficient demand for a repeat performance. Thus at 11.30 and again at 16.00 I chatted to the urbane, former BBC defence correspondent, Christopher Wain.

The intrepid team from Waterstones were on hand with hundreds of the newly printed paperback of ‘The Long and Winding Road’. Lots were sold which brings joy to my heart given that I’ve decided to live largely by my pen after twenty years as an MP.”