Here is the latest nomination in our series highlighting people David Cameron should consider appointing to the House of Lords.
If you would like to nominate someone, please email Jonathan Isaby with your suggestion, ideally including key arguments for
the nomination as well as biographical information. The sources of nominations will be treated confidentially where
requested.
No. 21: Brian Walden
A reader from London writes:
"Brian Walden is best known to those old enough to remember Mrs Thatcher as PM as a (much less rude) Sir Robin Day or "Jeremy Paxman of the 1980s" as presenter of television's Weekend World. His political journey started as President of the Oxford Union and then as a 1964 freshman MP for an older New Labour Party, after Harold Wilson's "white heat of technology" rhetoric defeated 13 years of Conservative rule.
"Brian trailblazed the now common path of MP to media star and political realignment from the left to right. Weekend World on a Sunday lunchtime became THE television interview show for Cabinet Ministers and their Opposition numbers to pit their wits against Brian. His razor sharp questioning reached its zenith after the 1987 General Election when Cabinet Minister John Biffen's career visibly imploded in front of viewers' eyes when he suggested in one unguarded comment that Mrs Thatcher should be a bit less radical and "consolidate power": his political career never recovered.
"Unlike many modern politicians, Brian has also had a successful business career and is reputedly one of the few "grey-haired" figures whose opinions David Cameron genuinely values. As such, he has spoken at several away days for the shadow cabinet and Conservative MPs."
In February 2007, Mr Walden declared David Cameron to be "a superb leader" and that he "deserves" to win the next general election.
Jonathan Isaby
> Previous nomination: Professor Karol Sikora
