John Bird
The Big Issue
United Kingdom
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Past articles by John:
History haunts modern life, but will we ever learn from it?
From Brexit to war in Ukraine, the modern world still bears the consequences of our darkest days in history → Read More
I was born into poverty – and 77 years later we still haven't solved it
Our politicians are creating poverty instead of working to end it. Where are the leaders who will fight for the common good? → Read More
The government must measure the true cost of austerity
Austerity always costs us more in the long run, John Bird warns the government → Read More
More than 30 years on, my fight to prevent mass poverty continues
In 1991, homelessness and poverty were rife. Three decades later the same systemic problems have created a new emergency. Can we learn from history? → Read More
My lifetime of run-ins with the Royal Family
From speedy drive-pasts to wet handshakes, John Bird writes about the times he's crossed paths with royalty → Read More
We may have won World War II, but Ukraine proves its repercussions remain
Will we return to a global balance of power – the kind that kept big confrontations off the table – ever again? → Read More
'At 19, I wanted to wake up famous like Lord Byron'
This week I lay before you the start of something I have been working on for many years, an extract from my forthcoming autobiography. → Read More
Dreaming of a future when our leaders make plans for the long term
What if, after a very reflective Christmas and new year, the prime minister decided that he would turn over a new leaf, asks Big Issue founder John Bird → Read More
'A Universal Basic Income might not bring the utopia we imagine'
A Universal Basic Income strengthens the dependance of the individual on the government, making them more vulnerable to an abuse of power. → Read More
We should all be treated equally when in need
Giving people medical health in the crisis of homelessness should be seen as getting them a step away from emergency, writes Big Issue founder John Bird → Read More
How can we make politicians care about our future generations?
Ignoring the future brings the problems we have to deal with today, writes Big Issue founder John Bird → Read More
The UK housing market is still suffering from Victorian ideas
Big Issue founder John Bird argues the UK housing market is under enormous pressure due to ideals that took hold in the Victorian era. → Read More
Unfettered riches? That’s just bad business
Let’s stop creating such unsocial billionaires. It’s bad for all of us, writes Big Issue founder John Bird. → Read More
John Bird: Forget noble, our low-paid just need decent wages
Gestures of recognition don’t pay for rent and travel, food and school uniforms → Read More
John Bird: Pick up the pace. This is the new politics
The speed of events is one of the worst features of the current political era → Read More
John Bird: Building a brighter future should be second nature to us
No, I’m not running away from Brexit, I'm replenishing myself for the big fight → Read More
John Bird: Sorry John Donne, it looks like we’re all islands after all
I have never met a leaver or a stayer who includes the opposite views → Read More
John Bird: Compromise is no-one's idea of destiny
Is it possible to see this break with Europe as an “enough is enough” kind of feeling? → Read More
John Bird: If we don’t find common ground, we face a fight to stop extremism
There are always causes for anger and belligerence breaking out → Read More
John Bird: There’s always more to learn about being human
Each summer, I was more sensitised to the need to extend our world view → Read More