Harry Leslie Smith is a survivor of the Great Depression, a second world war RAF veteran and, at 91, an activist for the poor and for the preservation of social democracy. His Guardian articles have been shared over 80,000 times on Facebook and have attracted huge comment and debate. He has authored numerous books about Britain during the Great Depression, the second world war and postwar austerity. He lives outside Toronto, Canada and in Yorkshire.
'A kind of epic poem, one that moves in circular fashion from passionate denunciation to intense autobiographical reflection ... should be required reading for every MP, peer, councillor, civil servant and commentator. The fury and sense of powerlessness that so many people feel at government policy beam out of every page.' * Melissa Benn, Guardian * 'Smith's unwavering will to turn things around makes for inspirational reading.' * Big Issue North * '[With] sheer emotional power ... Harry Leslie Smith reminds us what society without good public services actually looks and feels like.' -- Melissa Benn * New Statesman * 'Mr Smith's is a rousing, earthy writing that's part Tony Harrison, part Dennis Skinner' * NudgeMeNow.com * 'This hymn of wrath against the toxic nexus of money and power in austerity UK from a Bradford pauper's son, excommunicated from the Catholic church for marrying an "enemy" woman in post-war Germany, is a compelling life-verdict.' * Paul Routledge, The Tablet * 'Harry's Last Stand is fast becoming a well-deserved publishing phenomenon. It is a breathtaking argument, brilliantly delivered, who said only the new generation have the capacity to make a difference?' -- Mark Perryman * Left Futures * 'A moving first-person account from 91-year-old Harry Leslie Smith of growing up before the creation of the welfare state and NHS. Making a simple, emotive case for progressive politics, Smith was the star turn at this year's Labour party conference.' * Guardian [Best Political Books of 2014] * 'Harry Leslie Smith is absolutely one of my heroes. Everyone should read this and be humbled.' -- Annie Lennox `It is not enough to read Harry's record of the struggles and hopes of a generation - we have to re-assert his principles of common ownership and the welfare state. If Harry can do it, we should too!' -- Ken Loach 'I read Harry's Last Stand in a single sitting. Labour should read to get fire in bellies. Tories should read in shame.' -- Alastair Campbell 'Seek this one out. If it doesn't make you angry there's something wrong with you. It's inspirational stuff.' -- Rick O'Shea Shortlisted for 'Polemic of the Year' - Paddy Power Political Book Awards 2015