Overview

Immensely respected on both sides of the House, John Biffen was a man of charm, wisdom and intelligence. Celebrated as one of the cleverest and nicest politicians around, he brought to the Conservative benches one of the most original economic minds of his generation. Biffen served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Secretary of State for Trade, but it was as Leader of the House of Commons that he really made his mark. Over time, he found himself increasingly at odds with the divisive nature and style of Margaret Thatcher's government. Thatcher was unreceptive and he was slowly frozen out. In sacking Biffen from her Cabinet, she lost one of the more human faces of her government. With its candid account of the subject's battle with depression, this fascinating autobiography, with extensive extracts from his unpublished diaries, is a portrait of great humanity and determination set against the backdrop of public life. Semi-Detached revisits dramatic and poignant moments from Biffen's personal life and from the corridors of power, presenting a moving and penetrating portrayal of one of the twentieth century's most remarkable politicians.

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9781849542395

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The book is particularly striking as it reveals that throughout his literary career he faced debilitating depression. Catholic Times The book is very special, standing as a tribute both to Lady Biffen as well as to her much loved husband - Shropshire Star It's rare to read a political memoir so untainted by malice or self-justification. 'The most loyal and straightforward of men' was the verdict of Brian Walden, who conducted the fateful television interview. Biffen's thoughtful, conscientious, self-effacing and unerringly honest character shines through every page. The puzzle is, how on earth did a man like that ever end up in Mrs Thatcher's cabinet? The Spectator

Author Information

John Biffen, born in Somerset in 1930, rose from simple rural roots to become a distinguished politician. He served in Parliament for thirty-six years, occupying several positions in Margaret Thatcher's governments, and is perhaps best known for his role as Leader of the House of Commons 1982 - 87. Biffen overcame numerous obstacles to sustain a successful career in politics. Not only did he recover from clinical depression to make a widely celebrated return to the shadow Cabinet; he was also an effective Trade Minister for over a year, despite his fierce dislike of foreign travel. A great admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Lord Biffen was nonetheless staunch in his individual views. Many attacked him for his outspoken criticism while in government, amongst them Thatcher's press secretary, Bernard Ingham, who most memorably called him 'semi-detached'. Known for his gentle wit as well as his keen intelligence, Lord Biffen was one of the most popular politicians of recent history, despite serving in its most polarising government. He died in 2007.

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