Diaries: In Power: In Power

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Alan Clark, educated at Eton and Oxford, read for the Bar but did not practise. He held various junior ministerial appointments in the Margaret Thatcher and John Major governments. They were adapted for television by the BBC and shown in Clark died in of a brain tumour. The Stories in Our Genes.

My Life with Wagner. The Dumpling Sisters Cookbook: The Second World War: The final volume, covering Clark's decision not to seek re-election at the general election , his regret at leaving the House of Commons and then his return to Parliament was published in and included Clark's final days dying from a brain tumour.

Throughout his diaries Clark refers admiringly to Henry "Chips" Channon and his diaries. He also quotes Adolf Hitler , to whom he refers as "Wolf".

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The diaries include much reference to Clark's love of his chalet at Zermatt , his Scottish estate at Eriboll and the architecture of and country around Saltwood Castle , his home in Kent. Clark's fascination with classic cars is also evident, as his enthusiasm for backgammon. The first published diaries open with Alan Clark, Conservative Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton since February , about to seek re-election at the general election.

The Conservatives were expected to win the election, following the recent Falklands War and a disunited Labour Party , and Clark expected to be promoted from the back benches. Early on in the diaries, Clark records the death of his father, the author, broadcaster and art historian Kenneth Clark , from whom Clark inherited Saltwood Castle in Hythe, Kent. In the very next entry in the diary, we get an insight into one of Clark's recurring lapses with the opposite sex. His opponent at the election, the Labour candidate, was year-old Frances Holland, of whom Clark records;.

I'm madly in love with Frances Holland. Clark had been an MP since and was rewarded that month with his first ministerial post in Margaret Thatcher's government. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Employment was not what Clark had in mind, and his first forays as a very junior minister are pretty funny. In February he is made Minister for Trade, not in the cabinet but almost.

He throws himself into his new elevated role and, being such a extrovert, copes well with all the travelling and conferences abroad, and continues in this position when the conservatives are re-elected in In July , he almost achieves his main ambition the army was a lifetime passion and is appointed Minister of State at Defence. But not as Secretary of State as the following conversation with the Prime Minister describes: As Minister of State".

I went through all that when I was at DE, I can't do it again. I've stood out to get you this job uh?

You can't let me down by refusing. What a feeble resistance. The year of takes up a huge chunk of the book, particularly the downfall of Margaret Thatcher. The book ends in early he keeps his position at Defence as Clark is inducted into the Privy Council.

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The book itself gives a highly entertaining insight into the workings of government. It is probably the next best thing to shadowing a minister of state, particularly in his dealings with the civil service. The writer is often outspoken, rude and lecherous, but never boring. Jun 27, Gareth Evans rated it it was ok. The famous Alan Clark diaries! In a word, disappointing. It's not just that Clark is a jerk, it's also because Clark is never at the heart of things. He is the frustrated middle manager believing that he has more talent than others think; close to the action but not close enough to influence anything.

This is a man who in politics for personal power and the because people who do not buy their own furniture should rule rule not server. His constituents and the general elect The famous Alan Clark diaries! His constituents and the general electorate are treated with contempt.

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The book is not without drama, the last days of Tatcher are interesting and his general irreverence is fun at times. However, it's his general irrelevance that is the problem. Apr 06, Gavin Dobson rated it really liked it.

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Alan Clark upholds a rich tradition of British journal-writing, incorporating the bawdiness of Boswell with humorous contemporary observations of life in the Thatcher administration. Despite his roguish behaviour and what might today be regarded as political-incorrectness, he comes across as boyishly loveable. He made friends across the political spectrum, key criteria being their entertainment value and ability to engage intellectually as much as their political views.

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He was also an accomplish Alan Clark upholds a rich tradition of British journal-writing, incorporating the bawdiness of Boswell with humorous contemporary observations of life in the Thatcher administration. He would have made a great dinner companion.

Jun 15, Jim Bowen rated it it was amazing Shelves: Alan Clark was a fairy right-wing Conservative who was clever, and could have achieved a great deal in politics had he not liked life in general, and the ladies in particular, so much. The result was that while he did manage to become a junior minister,he didn't rise as high up the party as he could have done which probably didn't bother him if I'm honest. This collection of his diary entries shows us what happened in the Conservative Party and his private life during the s when the Conse Alan Clark was a fairy right-wing Conservative who was clever, and could have achieved a great deal in politics had he not liked life in general, and the ladies in particular, so much.

This collection of his diary entries shows us what happened in the Conservative Party and his private life during the s when the Conservatives were in office. It's a good fun read, and probably set the standard for "political diaries" that have come since. I read the majority of this book over the last few days during a spell in hospital.

Inevitably a time of reflection. While I don't share Clark's political values and beliefs, at the same time I empathised with the inner thoughts expressed in his diary: The diary covers a particularly turbulent time in UK politics with a heavy focu I read the majority of this book over the last few days during a spell in hospital. The diary covers a particularly turbulent time in UK politics with a heavy focus on Thatcher's ousting in As throughout the book Clark's insights are skilfully crafted and offer a real sense of the author.

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