Simon Jenkins is no stranger to the hectic environment of a press office. He seems perfectly at ease in the newsroom in which we meet. Indeed, the former editor of The Times is as accustomed to such surroundings as the stereotypical Englishman is to the countryside. Jenkins started his career at Country Life magazine, then moved to the Times Educational Supplement and from there to the Evening Standard, before editing the Insight page of The Sunday Times.
He was editor of the London Evening Standard from 1976-78, and then political editor of The Economist magazine from 1979-86. After founding and editing The Sunday Times Books section, he was editor of The Times from 1990-92. In 2005, he announced he was leaving The Times and he joined The Guardian that summer after a break to write a book. He is currently promoting his latest book, Thatcher and Sons.
“The book is about what Thatcherism means today,” he says. “It goes back to when she came to power and why she is so popular. I decided to write about it because my time in journalism was greatly influenced by Thatcher.”
Jenkins believes Thatcherism was a major cause for the change in modern media. “Getting rid of the unions was hugely important for journalism. It meant that we had seven newspapers in Britain rather than three; which we would not have had if the Prime Minister did not make so many changes.”
During his years in the industry the former reporter has witnessed some of its major alterations. However, it is taking him a while to adapt to the latest trend of new media. “The new media has transformed everything. I have very little opinion on it though, because I don’t know what it means. I feel rather confused. We have to find out about it but it is very traumatic for newspapers. It is difficult for journalists to work out what you are going to be doing in five years time.”
There are certain attributes that Jenkins believes will always be essential for good journalism. “The one thing I think journalists need to do is write,” he comments. “You go into broadcasting and they will get tired of your voice and tire of your face but there will always be a part for written journalism. I do believe that.”
He dismisses the need for journalistic qualifications. “I would never do an undergraduate degree in journalism. When I was looking to employ someone I honestly didn’t think the degree was very important. I am entirely in favour of the postgraduate degree in journalism and the Cardiff postgraduate degree is a very good one. It is the experience and the ability to write that is most important. I have always said that journalism is 90% determination. It is about being able to kick the door down and absolutely go for the story all the way. That is what it is about.”
Like many journalists he is a firm believer in the need for media-related experience from an early age. “I did what you did,” he says. “Student journalism is a great thing with which to get involved. It sparked my enthusiasm for the job. I wanted to go into politics and I thought journalism was a good way of getting into politics, but then I liked journalism too much.”
He has come a long way since his time in student journalism. “Being editor of The Times was a pretty big deal,” he smiles. His editorial control was not restricted by Murdoch. “Murdoch’s hand is very much on your shoulder managerially but not editorially,” he reveals. “Other editors might disagree with me. But by the time I was editor he did not interfere although he was a very vivid presence as chief executive.”
The transition from having full editorial control to working as a columnist is one which Jenkins has enjoyed. “I always wanted to end up being a columnist. I have always done columns. I love writing them. One of my first jobs in journalism was as a columnist. Of course, you can always do it. No one can stop you writing columns. I think that being an editor and a columnist are totally different types of journalism. They are different jobs. I have spent about a third of my career as an editor of some sort or another and two thirds of it writing. I love both angles. Editing never lasts. It is a fine activity but everything gets shoved upside down. But no one can stop you writing. I want to die writing a column for The Guardian.”
Jenkins’ commitment to good journalism was acknowledged in 2004 when he received a knighthood for services to journalism in the New Year Honours.
Thatcher and Sons: A Revolution in Three Acts is available now.
