Owen Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Owen Jones
|
|
|---|---|
Jones in 2024
|
|
| Born | 8 August 1984 Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
|
| Education | University College, Oxford (BA, MSt) |
| Occupation |
|
| Political party | Labour Party (1999–2024) |
| Parent(s) |
|
| Writing career | |
| Subjects |
|
| Notable works |
|
Owen Jones, born on August 8, 1984, is a well-known British writer, journalist, and activist. He is known for sharing his views on politics and society.
He writes a regular column for The Guardian newspaper. He also contributes to other magazines like New Statesman and Tribune. Before this, he wrote for The Independent. Owen Jones also has his own online shows called The Owen Jones Show and The Owen Jones Podcast.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Owen Jones was born in Sheffield, England. He grew up in Stockport. He went to Bramhall High School and then to Ridge Danyers Sixth Form College.
After school, he studied History at University College, Oxford. He finished his degree in 2005. His mother, Ruth Aylett, is a computer scientist. His father, Robert Jones, worked to organize trade unions.
Before Journalism
Before becoming a journalist, Owen Jones worked in politics. He was a lobbyist for trade unions. He also worked as a researcher for a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Labour Party, John McDonnell. He even helped a famous historian, Eric Hobsbawm, organize his old papers.
Owen Jones's Career
Owen Jones became a weekly columnist for The Guardian in March 2014. Before that, he wrote for The Independent. His articles have also appeared in other publications like the New Statesman and the Sunday Mirror. He writes about political topics from a left-wing point of view.
Books by Owen Jones
Owen Jones has written several books. His first book, Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class, came out in 2011. This book looked at how working-class people in Britain were sometimes unfairly stereotyped. A critic from The New York Times even chose it as one of his top non-fiction books of that year.
In 2012, Owen Jones won the Journalist of the Year award at the Stonewall Awards. In February 2013, he won the Young Writer of the Year prize at the Political Book Award. He shared his prize money to support a political campaign and a group helping disabled people.
His second book, The Establishment: And How They Get Away With It, was published in September 2014. This book explored how powerful groups in society work.
In November 2013, he gave a special talk called Totally Shameless: How TV Portrays the Working Class. This talk was about how working-class people are shown on television.
His book This Land: The Struggle for the Left was released on September 24, 2020. This book discussed the challenges faced by left-wing politics. A reviewer from the New Statesman called it a "political page-turner."
Online Presence
Owen Jones also has a popular YouTube channel. As of July 2025, his channel has many subscribers who watch his videos and discussions.
Political Activism
Owen Jones is also known for his political activism. He spoke at the launch of the People's Assembly Against Austerity in March 2013. This group was formed to protest against government spending cuts.
In 2015, Staffordshire University gave him an honorary degree. This was to recognize his work in campaigning against social inequality. Owen Jones believes that the monarchy (the royal family) should be abolished in the United Kingdom. He has also spoken out in support of LGBTQ+ rights.
Leaving the Labour Party
Owen Jones was a member of the Labour Party since he was 15 years old. However, he left the party in March 2024. He explained that he felt the party had become difficult for people who supported certain policies, like making university education free or having public ownership of services. He also disagreed with the party's stance on issues like bankers' bonuses and a wealth tax.
After leaving the Labour Party, he supported a group called We Deserve Better. This group encouraged people to vote for Green and independent candidates in the 2024 United Kingdom general election.
In 2024, the New Statesman magazine listed Owen Jones as one of the most influential people in progressive politics.
Personal Life
Owen Jones entered a civil partnership in September 2024.
Books
- Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class (2011)
- The Establishment: And How They Get Away With It (2014)
- The Alternative (2019)
- This Land: The Struggle for the Left (2020)
See also
In Spanish: Owen Jones (escritor) para niños
