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Simon Woolley revolutionised British politics – GuardianCan an outsider ever become a member of the establishment?Simon Woolley is a member of the House of Lords, the first Black man to head an Oxbridge college, and a policy changemaker who has the ear of prime ministers and the future King. But this is a Lord who wants to shake up the establishment; an outsider who knows how important it is to bring underrepresented voices to the table. Raised by loving white foster parents on the impoverished St Matthew s Estate in Leicester, young Simon soon learnt about politics while in line at the barber s and about racism as one of the few Black children in the neighbourhood. The desire to make the world better was awakened during a trip to South America, where he saw revolutionary politics first hand, and discovered how activism could change people s lives. Inspired, he co-founded Operation Black Vote in 1996, credited with encouraging thousands of Black men and women to exercise their right to vote over the past 25 years. Soar is a story of courage and commitment, of perseverance and remaining positive despite the challenges of institutional racism. It s about becoming a father and honouring your heritage. But most of all, it s about being your own role model, when no others have been available to you.; 320 pages; Published: 14 04 2022