PKT5098-372618
ALAN CLARK
1993
Alan Clark: ‘The most politically incorrect person in the world.’
Alan Clark is gazing into the roaring fire at Saltwood Castle and brooding about Norman Fowler-led dirty tricks campaign to stop him standing in the Newbury by-election. THe nature of the dirty tricks campaign is unclear. Clark says that no one tried to stop him throwing his hat in the ring, but he has ‘had all the signals of a ‘get lost’ kind.’
He stretches out. The beautiful youth in the photograph frame behind him has become ravaged with time, but at64 he remains a Byronic figure. He has little in common with today’s government. In fact he is not in unison with this century. Cruel-featured Englishmen who live in castles are not abundant outside Mills and Boon.
One reason for Fowler’s alleged timidity about welcoming Clark back into the fold may be the approaching publication of Clark’s political diaries. Clark winces at the mention of them. They are embarrassing on three counts. First, the language is a departure from conventional political memoirs.
