Former Deputy PM to reveal all at Off the Shelf

5th September 2016

Sheffield Hallam University will help kick-start Off The Shelf Festival of Words 2016 in a revealing conversation with the politician at the heart of the former coalition Government - Sheffield MP and former Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Off The Shelf is now one of the largest literary festivals in the UK, attracting some of the best known names in literature and media to Sheffield every year. This year's festival will kick off with the former Deputy Prime Minister on Friday 16 September at Sheffield Hallam's Pennine Theatre, as he gives a frank account of his experiences of politics, power and defeat through his new book Between the Extremes. In conversation with Sheffield Hallam's head of politics Dr Andy Price, Mr Clegg will offer an honest account of his rise in the 2010 general election, through his tumultuous years as Deputy Prime Minister, to defeat in 2015, whilst also reflecting on the future of British politics. Dr Price said: "It should be a fascinating talk with the former Deputy Prime Minister. The current political climate provides a really interesting backdrop to the conversation and it will be illuminating to get his insights, whilst also questioning him on his own time in Government." On 6 October, Sheffield artist and hip-hop musician Kid Acne will take to the stage at the Pennine Lecture Theatre to tell his story of painting graffiti, creating fanzines and making records on his own imprint. TV chef and food campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall will talk about his new book - The River Cottage A-Z - on Wednesday 12 October. Hugh will also talk about some of the issues raised in his BBC series Hugh's War On Waste. Explorer Jason Lewis will tell his remarkable story of crocodile attacks, blood poisoning, malaria, altitude sickness, two broken legs, and incarceration for suspected espionage during his pioneering 13 year journey around the planet, on 13 October. On 28 October, political stalwart Alan Johnson will return to Sheffield Hallam University to discuss the third of his award-winning memoirs ­- The Long and Winding Road - as he chronicles the world of Westminster and the life of a hard-working MP. For more information on Off the Shelf, including the full programme of 200 events across the city, visit http://offtheshelf.org.uk/.