Memoirs of veteran MP
FORMER Huntingdon MP Lord David Renton was at Huntingdon Town Hall on Friday to launch his autobiography, The Spice of Life. The Conservative peer was MP for Huntingdon from 1945 to 1979, winning no less than 10 elections in the process. His book charters
FORMER Huntingdon MP Lord David Renton was at Huntingdon Town Hall on Friday to launch his autobiography, The Spice of Life.
The Conservative peer was MP for Huntingdon from 1945 to 1979, winning no less than 10 elections in the process. His book charters what he describes as his "unusual life", covering his 34 years in the Commons and 27 years (to date) in the House of Lords.
Lord Renton, 97, even passed his driving test for the first time at the age of 94. Although he had been driving before driving tests became a legal requirement, an "altercation with a wing mirror" while driving along Embankment in London convinced him "to finally bite the bullet".
He told The Hunts Post: "I know I have led a rather unusual life and I was under great pressure from my family and friends to write this book.
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"It was sometimes difficult to remember all the details. Until I was 97 I had a wonderful memory but it seems to be leaving me a little now!
"I've got my 98th birthday coming up soon but I think it's up to my family to decide what I'll be doing.
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"I love living in this part of the country as I have done for so many years and it's wonderful to see so many old faces from my past here today."
Among those old faces to join Lord Renton for a book signing event last week was former Prime Minister Sir John Major, who succeeded Lord Renton as the constituency's MP.
Sir John said: "David is truly a great man. He was immensely supportive to me throughout my political career.
"I remember the first two pieces of advice he ever gave me. He said: 'Huntingdon doesn't like politics' and 'the way to keep fit is to have a garden that is just too big.'"
One of Lord Renton's daughters, Caroline, was also present along with his granddaughter Helen.
Born in 1908, Lord Renton studied at Oxford and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1933. The Spice of Life also details Lord Renton's activities during the Second World War when he served in both Egypt and Libya.
INFORMATION: Lord Renton's autobiography The Spice of Life is available from Huntingdon Constituency Conservative Association on 01480 453062.
