ONE of Lancashire’s most prominent former politicians has revealed all about his time in Margaret Thatcher’s government.

Former Clitheroe and Nelson and Colne MP David Waddington has unveilled the secrets of his career with the publication of his memoirs.

Burnley-born Lord Waddington was in Clitheroe yesterday to promote the book, which tells all about his role as Mrs Thatcher’s last Home Secretary.

In the role he was at the heart of British politics during a turbulent time.

The memoirs describe his life from childhood in Lancashire, to his army postings in Hong Kong and Singapore. His role as MP first to the old Nelson and Colne constituency and later to the former Clitheroe constituency.

Tales of his time as Conservative Chief Whip flow into a description of life as Home Secretary during the Strangeway prison riots.

In 1990 he was created a life peer as Baron Waddington, of Read in the County of Lancashire. He went on to serve as Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords until 1992 and went on to become Governor of Bermuda.

Lord Waddington said: “I enjoyed writing my memoirs very much and they were dramatic times.

“There were great changes happening in the country. It was a time when steps had to be taken to deal with what I thought was excessive trade union power.

“We had to make what were at the time very controversial decisions. Often there was no particular call in a certain work place for union representation. It was terribly controversial at the time but now it is a very normal situation.”

Lord Waddington, who has moved to Somerset in his retirement to be closer to his children, added: “I always thought it would have been difficult to represent the areas I did without growing up here.

“My family history stretches back in this area many years and I love Lancashire. I would have been a much less effective MP without my years growing up here and the things it taught me.”