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Theresa May to speak at Henley Literary Festival

The politician will discuss the books that have helped to shape her life.

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Prime Minister Theresa May

Prime Minister Theresa May is to speak at this year’s Henley Literary Festival.

Mrs May will discuss the books that have helped to shape her life at the event in Henley-on-Thames, which borders her Maidenhead constituency.

She is scheduled to appear on September 30, which is during the Conservative Party conference and after she has been succeeded as prime minister.

The festival will be attended by many big names from the worlds of politics, sport, literature, stage and screen.

Festival programme
Festival programme (Henley Literary Festival)

Mrs May will be joining Sir Alastair Cook, Kate Atkinson, Mary Berry, Paul Merton, Nadiya Hussain, David Suchet, Michael Rosen, Dougie Poynter and Kirsty Wark on the bill.

Robert Harris, Jojo Moyes and Michael Parkinson are also among those appearing.

Festival director Harriet Reed-Ryan said: “We are thrilled that Theresa May has agreed to come.

“We know that she has a great interest in books because of her regular visits to the Bell Bookshop, our book-selling partner.

“She has in the past spoken of the festival’s strong reputation but we have never asked her before given her heavy duties as home secretary and then Prime Minister.

“It will be a very special event for just 300 people.

“She will be the second former prime minister who has come to the festival – we had John Major here in 2012.”

Other politicians attending include Jacob Rees-Mogg, Anna Soubry, Chris Mullin and Jack Straw.

As part of the festival’s partnership with London Library, president and musical stalwart Sir Tim Rice will also be talking about his life with words and books.

Konnie Huq
Konnie Huq (Yui Mok/PA)

Konnie Huq – Blue Peter’s longest-serving female presenter – will be at the festival with her first children’s book Cookie And The Most Annoying Boy In The World, and comedian Julian Clary will be attending with his newest book in The Bolds series.

There will also be an event based around Elmer’s 30th anniversary and a Harry Potter show.

Henley Literary Festival runs from September 28 to October 6.

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