Product Description

"Right from the Start" is the autobiography of Lord Roberts from his birth in 1930 to 2000, told against the backdrop of his time and its leading personalities. Lord Roberts was the second son of a Nonconformist Minister who rose from humble beginnings to become a life peer. His life was transformed by winning a scholarship to Harrow from where he entered National Service, receiving a posting to Vienna as a member of the Intelligence Corps during the Cold War. Following a history scholarship at Oxford, Lord Roberts trained as a newspaper reporter and then entered the world of 1950's and 60's television, bringing him into contact with leading personalities from the literary world, show business and politics. He entered politics in 1970 as a Conservative MP, starting a career in the House of Commons lasting 27 years, rising through the ranks to a Shadow Front bench post under the Heath administration, remaining on the Conservative Front bench until his retirement in 1994.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1588214 in Books
• Published on: 2005-12-08
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 400 pages

Review
'...the memoirs...are a delightful read, particularly for anyone involved in politics during the years that Wyn Roberts sat in the Commons, and for those who have any knowledge of or love for the principality. I commend them warmly'. The House Magazine

About the Author
Lord Roberts served under four successive Secretaries of State for Wales and was a prime mover behind the 1993 Welsh Language Act. He was made a Life Peer in 1997 and is still active in the House of Lords.

Customer Reviews

Wales in the Thatcher Years
This is a valuable account of the life and political work of an eminent Welsh Tory. There are many autobiographies from former Labour ministers harking from the Welsh valleys and the unions. But Wyn is from rural Anglesey, and he floated up during the 18 years of Tory rule - which did have its successes. But Wales never supported Thatcherism fully - it was just as well the Tories had this likeable Welsh speaker who gave sound advice to a succession of "English" Welsh Secretaries. He pushed through a Welsh Language Bill which is important to this day. The ups and downs (every Welsh Conservative seat being lost in 1997) are covered by someone who was the mainstay of the Welsh Office - now part of history itself.