About the Author

Norman Fowler (Lord Fowler) was a member of Margaret Thatcher's government from 1981 to 1990, serving as Secretary of State for Health and then for Employment, before resigning to spend more time with his family. He returned to prominence under John Major, first as party chairman from 1992 to 1994 and then as shadow Home Secretary from 1997 to 1999, becoming a life peer in 2001. During his important political career, he witnessed key events in the history of the Conservative Party, as well as keeping a detailed diary, used here for the first time.