Johnson, Alan (Arthur) (1950– )

UK Labour Party politician, health secretary from 2007. He became a member of Parliament in 1997 and served as trade and industry minister 1999–2003 and education minister 2003–04. He entered the cabinet as work and pensions secretary in September 2004, after the sudden resignation of Andrew Smith, moved to trade and industry after the 2005 general election, and education in 2006. In June 2007 he was narrowly defeated by Harriet Harman in the contest to become Labour Party deputy leader. He was appointed health secretary in June 2007 by the party's new leader and prime minister, Gordon Brown.

Born in London and orphaned when only 12 years old, he was brought up by his older sister. He left school at 15 without qualifications, but after becoming a postman at 18, worked his way up in the postal trade union, the Union of Communication Workers (UCW). In 1992 he was elected its youngest-ever general secretary and had a reputation as a militant. He was a member of the general council of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) 1994–95. His views moderated and he won favour with Tony Blair, when he supported the new Labour Party leader's campaign to abolish the socialist Clause 4 of the party's constitution. He was elected a Labour MP in 1997, representing Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle.

He was the first former union leader for more than 40 years to serve in the cabinet.