Former Home Secretary writes his memoirs

David Waddington was a Conservative candidate for what was then called the Nelson and Colne constituency, rather than Pendle, in 1968, following the death of Labour MP Sydney Silverman, winning the by-election.

In 1970, he was re-elected, but in 1974 he was defeated by Labour’s Doug Hoyle, who is also a lord now.

From 1979 to 1990, Mr Waddington was MP for the Clitheroe Constituency – later renamed Ribble Valley – and he became Conservative Chief Whip and later Home Secretary. He then went into the Lords and was leader of the House of Lords.

Next Friday, Lord Waddington will be in Clitheroe to promote the publication of his book “David Waddington Memoirs”. He will be conducting a book-signing session at Dawson’s department store, in King Street, from 10am to noon.

In the evening, he will be the guest of the Ribble Valley Conservative Association at a dinner to be held at Clitheroe Golf Club, where he will also hold a book-signing session. Tickets are available from Association Office (01200 425939).

Lord Waddington was one of Lancashire’s best-known politicians with a Parliamentary career spanning over 22 years. Following his elevation to the House of Lords in 1990, he was its leader for two years before being appointed Governor of Bermuda, a position he held from 1992 to 1997.

Born in Burnley and educated at Sedbergh and Oxford University, he lived the majority of his life in Read and Sabden before moving south to live near his children. He still regularly attends the House of Lords.

As a lynchpin of Margaret Thatcher’s final cabinet, Lord Waddington was at the heart of British politics arguably the most defining government of the 20th Century. His memoirs are a testament to many years of loyal service to the Conservative Party, first as a determined constituency MP, then as a cajoling and shrewd Chief Whip, Home Secretary during the turbulent Strangeways prison riots and finally as Leader of the Lords.

These memoirs describe Lord Waddington’s varied life: from his adventurous childhood in Lancashire to an eventful stint in the Army, including memorable postings to Hong Kong and Singapore, and a highly acclaimed career as a Queen’s Counsel – not to mention his time as Governor of Bermuda.

In his memoirs, Lord Waddington allows people to glimpse a period of huge importance in British political history while also making clear the roots and principles that propelled him so far. A wry Lancastrian takes on the world and a potent mix of intelligence, duty and a sense of humour courses through every page.