‘ . . . engaging and highly readable . . . ’ Daily Post
‘ . . . engaging and highly readable . . . ’ Daily Post
‘I defy anyone with a modicum of interest in British political life not to find this a fascinating read. This is one of the most interesting and insightful memoirs that I have ever read by any Welsh political figure . . . the scholarly community in Wales and beyond will have cause to celebrate Wyn Roberts (and his publishers) for many years to come!’ Dr Richard Wyn Jones, Director of Graduate Studies, University of Wales Aberystwyth
Right from the Start is the autobiography of Lord Roberts from his birth in 1930 up to the year 2000, told against the backdrop of his time and its leading personalities. Lord Roberts was the second son of a Nonconformist Minister and he 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 1950s and 1960s 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.
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.